Do You Need a TV Licence for a Motorhome?

You’ve parked up your new motorhome from Spinney for the evening and the whole family’s hanging out, intent on spending chilled out time together. You all fancy checking out the new episode of Doctor Who, seeing who’s twirling their way to success on Strictly’s dancefloor, and seeing your team win on Match Of The Day. But you wonder: Is it legal to watch TV? Don’t you need a TV licence for a motorhome? The answer is pretty straightforward, though it’s not without some nuances which you should know about.

What is a TV licence?

Before we go any further, just to be clear, a TV licence is a document provided by the Government which allows the holder to watch or record programmes on a TV (or computer or other device) as they are broadcast, and to watch on-demand BBC programmes on iPlayer. It’s not necessary to have a licence to watch streaming services (such as Netflix), on-demand TV (such as All 4 or Amazon Prime) or websites like YouTube, though ‘proving’ you don’t watch live TV would be very difficult.

TV licences and motorhomes

If you have a TV set in a motorhome and you live in it permanently (in other words, if it is your main residence) then you will definitely need to apply and pay for a television licence.

You don’t need a second TV licence to cover your motorhome if you already have one registered at your home address – though television must not be watched in both places at the same time.

If there is the likelihood that the TV back home will be switched on and used to watch TV channels on any TV service, live TV on streaming services, or BBC iPlayer will be used while you are using the TV in your motorhome, then you will need two licences.

If you don’t need a licence for your motorhome you are required to complete a non-simultaneous use declaration form, which is available to download at the Government’s website. You must print, complete, sign and send to the address on the form.

You must apply and pay for TV licences at the Government’s website, or at any PayPoint store (there are approximately 30,000 in the UK in places such as newsagents, petrol stations and supermarkets). You can pay for a TV licence weekly, fortnightly or monthly if you wish to spread the annual cost.

Penalties

Currently, a standard TV licence costs £169.50 (black and white costs £57.00). You could find that you are prosecuted if the authorities discover that you’ve been watching, recording or downloading programmes illegally. The maximum penalty is a £1,000 fine plus legal costs and additional compensation that you may be ordered to pay.

Ultimately, making sure that you comply with TV licensing around your use in a motorhome means that you will protect yourself from possible prosecution. Buy your motorhome from Spinney’s selection of top quality new and used vehicles, get your licence sorted, head off on a trip and then settle in to watch Doctor Who, Strictly and Match Of The Day guilt and worry free!