Introducing the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS)

Every Swift caravan comes with added peace of mind through registration with the Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS) - the UK’s official database for caravans and their owners.

Operated by HPI on behalf of the National Caravan Council, and fully supported by the industry and the Home Office, CRiS helps ensure your caravan is protected and easily identifiable.

How CRiS operates

CRiS operates in a similar way to the DVLA for cars, providing you with the benefit of a registration document and a record of ownership of your caravan. With its unique industry connections, CRiS also maintains information relating to any interest held by finance and insurance companies - essential should your caravan become part of the national theft statistics.

Swift Group caravans not only carry the unique 17 digit CRiS Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) die stamped into the chassis, but windows are also etched with the VIN and an electronic tag embedded within the bodywork for extra security. Only the police and enforcement agencies have direct access to the location of the tag and the means to read the VIN programmed within it.

Specialist insurance companies increasingly require registration with CRiS before granting cover and when you come to sell your caravan your CRiS registration will prove invaluable. Not only does CRiS offer you all the benefits of registering yourself as the owner, but it offers opportunities for prospective purchasers, both trade and public, to check out the legitimacy of a used caravan offered to them for sale. Caravan thefts do occur, so owners can’t afford to take any risks. It is essential for anyone looking to buy a caravan to invest in security.

What a CRiS check provides

Thinking of buying a used caravan? Don’t judge a caravan by its cover, even if it looks perfect inside and out - it could be hiding issues you can't see.

A CRiS will:

  • Verify the caravan’s details, including the make, model, colour, number of axles, former owners, and current registered owner against the CRiS database.
  • Alert you if the caravan is recorded as stolen, has outstanding finance, or has been seriously damaged and written off by an insurance company.

To conduct a CRiS check, call 0203 282 1000.

What CRiS provides caravan owners

CRiS helps caravan owners safeguard their caravan with:

  • Provides a record of ownership
  • Helps the police to return stolen caravans and their contents back to the rightful owner
  • Provides registration documentation to authenticate your keepership

If you've purchased a pre-owned caravan, you should have been passed the CRiS registration document by the seller and it is important that the new owner then registers themselves with CRiS.

The CRiS guide to buying a used caravan

  • Research the marketplace - Compare prices between advertisements and your local dealer. Don't forget to budget for insurance and routine maintenance.
  • Match your caravan to your car - Weight matching cars and caravans can be confusing, but Towsafe takes the mystery out of the process. Don't waste your time visiting vans that are not a legal match for your car, the Towsafe Multiple Match gives you a list of safe options to base your choice on.
  • Don't deal in the dark - Make sure you view the caravan in good daylight and don't go alone. Meet at the seller's house and never agree to meet at a service station or lay-by.
  • Request all documentation - Ask to see the caravan's service history and CRiS registration document.
  • Check the seller's details - Make sure the owner is who they say they are. Contact CRiS with a description of the make and model of the tourer and the owner’s details to be checked against the information on the CRiS database.
  • Is the caravan on finance? - Ask if there is outstanding finance and verify by checking through CRiS. If the caravan has not been paid off, it could still be the property of the finance house that could reclaim it.
  • Don't buy a write-off - Has it been in an accident? Check panels closely for signs of repair and check the caravan's history with CRiS to ensure that an insurance company has not previously recorded it as a write-off. Write-offs that are rebuilt may not be safe to return to the road.
  • Check the locks - Inspect all door and window locks for signs of force or replacement. This may mean the caravan has been stolen and look carefully at the CRiS window markings for signs of alteration or removal.