Is my vehicle a van or a car?
Vans and cars can’t always be told apart easily, and when it comes to insurance it’s important to know you have the right cover in place. Here’s how you can tell if your vehicle is a van or a car, and how it will affect your insurance.
Key takeaways
You can check whether your vehicle is a van or a car in your V5C logbook, via the HMRC’s or DVLA’s guidelines or by looking at its general specs
You’ll need to take out the right type of insurance for your vehicle depending on whether it’s a van or car
Some vehicles, like minivans, SUVs and dual-purpose vehicles, can skirt the line - so it’s important to check
Does it matter if my vehicle is a van or a car?
Yes, the category of your vehicle matters as it affects things like your insurance, tax, MOT and services. Cars and vans are taxed differently, require different insurance policies to be road-legal, and have different specifications and standards for MOTs and vehicle checks.
If you categorise your vehicle incorrectly you’re likely to face fines and convictions for driving without the right tax or insurance.
What’s the difference between a van and a car?
Cars are defined by the HMRC as a ‘mechanically propelled road vehicle’ that isn’t a goods vehicle, motorcycle, an invalid carriage or a vehicle that isn’t used for private transport.
It must:
Have three or more wheels
Be used on public roads
Either be built or adapted for carrying passengers, or have roofed accommodation behind the driver's seat as well as side windows.
To be considered a van, the vehicle will be designed to transport goods instead of passengers. However it will also often have:
No side windows in the van’s rear, unless they’re fixed and opaque
Space for more than eight seats
A double cab
A pick-up bed for cargo
How do I find out if I have a car or a van?
To determine what category of vehicle yours is, you can check the following:
Line J of your V5C logbook will contain your vehicle category
The DVLA’s categorisation of vehicles generally distinguishes by usage. Vehicles categorised as M1 require car insurance, but if it’s N1 or N2 it’ll need van insurance
If your vehicle weight is over 1,000kg and has a bay or area for loading goods, insurers will class it as a van
The HMRC, the Association of British Insurers and vehicle manufacturers themselves offer different categories, but definitions can vary between them so it’s always good to check with your chosen insurance provider
Your V5C logbook
The DVLA
General specifications
Other guidelines and specifications
What about other vehicles?
While some vehicles can be easily categorised as vans or cars, others may be harder to fit into a specific box. Here are some examples you might need to consider:
Pick-up trucks are often categorised as light commercial vehicles, and are commonly covered by van insurance
Vehicles with double cabs, like combi vans, are usually categorised based on their usage - but those that can support storage of over 1000kg may be classed as a van for insurance purposes
These vehicles, while large and capable of being used for transporting goods, are usually classed as cars - but you’ll need business car insurance if you are using it for carrying goods
If it’s used for personal reasons rather than business it’s classed as a car, but some SUVs are classed by the manufacturer as commercial vehicles - therefore it will be categorised as a van for insurance purposes
Motorbikes and other two-wheel vehicles like mopeds have their own category and will be insured and taxed as such
Pick-up trucks
Double cab vehicles
Minivans and people carriers
SUVs
Motorbikes
Can I use a work van for personal use?
Yes, business van insurance will cover you for personal use too. But if you’re using a company van for private use regularly, you’ll need to pay Benefit in Kind tax to the HMRC - unless you’re a sole trader or self-employed.
What is the difference between insuring cars and vans?
Car insurance policies are generally sold for domestic, social and pleasure usage, although you can take out business car insurance.
On the other hand, most van insurance policies are designed specifically to cover business usage, with extra policy features for tools and equipment, goods, and extra mileage.
Remember it’s crucial to take out the right kind of insurance for your vehicle to ensure you’re road legal and fully covered for any mishaps. Otherwise, you could face an expensive fine.
Compare van insurance quotes
The best way to find the right car or van insurance policy is to compare deals on MoneySuperMarket. Just tell us about yourself, your vehicle, and how you’ll be using it, and we’ll show you quotes from the biggest providers on the market.
