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legals and DVLA attitude towards wraps
I have been asked by a couple of colour change wrap customers whether they need to advise DVLA – I tell them, as far as I am concerned it’s a temporary change and therefore should be OK. As temporary may mean upto 5 years, it may not be quite that straightforward. Does any one have an opinion (or even better KNOW the answer) on this?
On a similar topic, I am looking at a full chrome wrap for a customer, but it does concern me that for road use it may be deemed illegal due to the "dazzle" from sunlight and even headlights. A quick trawl of Google had other people questioning the legality, but no definitive answers (i don’t want to be the first test case!!)
Thanks,
Dave. -
17 Replies
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Dave, an interesting point as our van is actually white but black coated, i had wondered myself.
If we don’t get anywhere here, maybe we could ask DVLA for comments on this on behalf of the UKSG group. Maybe we get the definitive answer, just want to find out who at DVLA would be the target for the letter?
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There is possibly an insurance issue with wrapping also. Can an insurer wriggle out of a claim if the vehicle is not the same colour as specified on its registration document? The vehicle could be described as modified from standard which may invalidate the insurance if the insurer is not informed about the vehicle wrap?
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Surely this comes under the same remit as planning permission for signage its up to the customer to sort it out. By getting embroiled in giving advice you risk putting yourself in the firing line………..
Send the enquirey through to the "general enquirey" and let the DVLA filter it through to the right department.
VOSA may be the ones to ask on the chrome vinyl wrap, but remember there are plenty of shiny artic tankers with stainless barrel cladding……..
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quote Phill:There is possibly an insurance issue with wrapping also. Can an insurer wriggle out of a claim if the vehicle is not the same colour as specified on its registration document? The vehicle could be described as modified from standard which may invalidate the insurance if the insurer is not informed about the vehicle wrap?you could argue the same about any signage applied to a vehicle, but as far as I know, if SKY can do it, there is no problem.
Peter
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Sounds like a very grey area……….
Signwriting is technically a ‘modification’ but most insurers reduce premiums when vans are signwritten as they are easier to trace if stolen……..
John
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John some in our area put the premium up for sign writing 🙄 according to some customers !!!!
Lynn
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quote Peter Normington:quote Phill:There is possibly an insurance issue with wrapping also. Can an insurer wriggle out of a claim if the vehicle is not the same colour as specified on its registration document? The vehicle could be described as modified from standard which may invalidate the insurance if the insurer is not informed about the vehicle wrap?
you could argue the same about any signage applied to a vehicle, but as far as I know, if SKY can do it, there is no problem.
Peter
Yes I know, SKY can wriggle out of anything????? Where’s my vouchers!!!
Anyhoo……..CAN OF WORMS………doesn’t take much to temporarily change the colour of a vehicle using paint either. As a vehicle engineer I am happy to approach both VOSA and DVLA with the pertinent questions on behalf of the boards……….
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dont bother Graeme
, they will not give a difinative answer, especially if they think they may be quoted in the case of a dispute…
the question is in the legality, and I doubt if any laws have been passed regarding wraps, it would need a test case to determine if a law was being broken, and as fae as the Chrome wrap is concernerned, that would definatly be a temp job….unless I have not heard of a new product.Insurance companies pay me to replace signage, and graphics on vehicles that are non standard,(the graphics not the vehicle) so they are in effect setting a precedent, I dont see any issues, and certainly dont want vosa sticking their nose in with if ands or buts… we suffer to much from red tape as it is
Peter
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Dug this little gem up from 2003, but things do and probably will change:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
From: Byron Lewis
Vehicle Policy Group Swansea Vale 2
11 March 2003
File Ref: VPG 2/1/1Re: Temporary Colour Changes – Ref V120301
Thank you for your query concerning temporary colour changes to a vehicle using a think vinyl film. It is the Agency’s view that as the application of the film is a temporary measure, and the actual basic colour of the vehicle is not changed, it is not necessary to notify the Agency of the changes in these circumstances.
Found this on Comm-Motion
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seems sensible reply that, yeah the quoting thing is true i guess, but we are advising our customers what we can do to their vehicles, would we take the blame for recommending that they cover it in vinyl.
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answer is
If you are not sure, and are worried about being sued, dont do it.
if not lets just get on with it,
some guy puts up a first post, and you all start debating, and questioning your source of income, are we on the right track here?
Peter -
well i was more interested if we were still legally insured to drive our ‘colour corrected’ vehicle.
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My daughters car has been vehicle wrapped Peter. And the question of "should we change the registration details" has already occurred to me.
I am also concerned that the insurance may have been invalidated because of the wrap. – So I don’t think this is something we should ignore and carry on regardless. The question has been raised – let’s get some answers. -
quote Phill:My daughters car has been vehicle wrapped Peter. And the question of “should we change the registration details” has already occurred to me.
I am also concerned that the insurance may have been invalidated because of the wrap. – So I don’t think this is something we should ignore and carry on regardless. The question has been raised – let’s get some answers.the ones to ask Phill are your or your daughters insurance company,
dont take anybody elses advice, they are the ones who will or will not pay out, regardless of what you may read elswhere……so simple answer call them and ask
Peter
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You’re right Peter. I will ask them , and will report back later. 😀
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quote Peter Normington:quote Phill:My daughters car has been vehicle wrapped Peter. And the question of “should we change the registration details” has already occurred to me.
I am also concerned that the insurance may have been invalidated because of the wrap. – So I don’t think this is something we should ignore and carry on regardless. The question has been raised – let’s get some answers.the ones to ask Phill are your or your daughters insurance company,
dont take anybody elses advice, they are the ones who will or will not pay out, regardless of what you may read elswhere……so simple answer call them and ask
Peter
Kind of why I started out by stating this is the customers responsibility. Too many variables for a humble car wrapper to get involved with. When you wrap or sign a vehicle a simple statement on the invoice/receipt could be "Failure to notify the relevant authorities may invalidate your insurance". Same situation with planning permission for a sign, I simply tell the customer planning permission is outside the scope of my works. :lol1:
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quote Dave Rowland:well i was more interested if we were still legally insured to drive our ‘colour corrected’ vehicle.
as I said to Phill, ask your insurance company, Dave, its that simple 😀
Peter
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