Hi all,

I'm new here and very confused! Was wondering if you could help me out.

I'm currently a student in the last year of uni hoping to take some time out this Summer. Me and some friends want to get an old minibus (say a 17 seater ldv convoy), take out the seats so as to make it a 6 seater and use the free space as sleeping / storage space.

To be honest were not looking to do a proper conversion as we'll probably go on a roadtrip round Europe for a couple of months and sell it afterwards. 

However, I have just been reading various things online that someone in my position wouldn't be able to drive it abroad? I think this only applies to a minibus with 9 or more seats though... So as I would be taking them out does this apply to me?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022619

And if I take these seats out do I have to get it reclassified as a van? What do I insure it as... it wont meet the criteria for a camper, but it wont be a minibus anymore... but its not a panel van! 

And ultimately... will authorities on the continent actually  check any of this? I hear that they ignore things like this as they don't have direct links with UK authorities / databases etc.

As you can tell I am very confused... any help would be much appreciated.

Harry