Can You Hire a Campervan Under 21 or on Your P Plates in Australia?
Planning an Australian road trip but you’re under 21 or still on your P plates?
You might be wondering if you can actually hire a campervan or motorhome, and the answer isn’t always as simple as being 21 or having a full license.
Some campervan rental companies accept drivers from 18, and some accept drivers with provisional licences. Others have stricter requirements.
So before you book, it’s important to check the requirements for the specific campervan you’re looking at.
Do you need a special licence to drive a campervan in Australia?
For most standard campervans, you don’t need a special heavy vehicle licence. However, you do need a valid licence that the rental company accepts for the vehicle you’re hiring.
The important thing is that Australian road rules and rental company requirements aren’t necessarily the same thing.
A licence may allow you to legally drive a vehicle, but the rental company can still have its own requirements around your age, licence type or driving experience.
That’s why it’s always worth checking the rental conditions before booking. Shoot us a message, email or give us a call and we are happy to help.
Can you hire a campervan if you’re under 21?
Yes, some companies allow drivers under 21 to hire a campervan in Australia.
The minimum age depends on the rental company and sometimes the specific vehicle.
For example, some suppliers allow drivers from 18, while others have a minimum age of 21. Britz currently requires drivers to be at least 21 for most of its vehicles, but some Mighty and MightyLITE vehicles can be driven by drivers from 18 with a full current licence.
So being under 21 doesn’t automatically mean you can’t hire a campervan, you just need to find a vehicle and rental company that accepts your age and license.
What if I’m 18, 19 or 20?
This is where things can get a little more complicated.
Some rental companies have an 18+ minimum age, but may also require a full license. Others accept provisional licences as well.
For example, Camperman currently states that its minimum driver age is 18 and that drivers can have red or green P plates, provided they meet its licence requirements.
Other rental companies have different rules, so don’t assume that a vehicle being advertised as “18+” automatically means every 18-year-old can hire it.
Can you hire a campervan on your P plates?
Sometimes, yes.
Whether you can hire a campervan on P plates depends on the rental company and your licence category.
Some companies accept provisional drivers, while others require a full, unrestricted licence.
For example, Campervan Village currently accepts Australian and New Zealand provisional licence holders, including red and green P plates, although additional fees may apply.
Camperman’s current terms also state that provisional drivers can be accepted, provided they display the appropriate P plates and follow the conditions of their licence.
So if you’re on your Ps, don’t assume you have to wait until you get your full license, but don’t assume every rental company will accept you either.
What about green P plates?
If you’re on a green P2 licence, you may have more options than someone on their red P1s, but this varies between suppliers.
Some campervan companies accept green P plate drivers, while others require a full licence.
There can also be differences depending on the state where your licence was issued and the conditions attached to it.
Before booking, check:
- Whether your rental company accepts P2 licences
- Whether there is a minimum age
- Whether you need to have held your licence for a certain amount of time
- Whether there are any additional young-driver fees
- Whether your P-plate conditions affect the trip you’re planning
What about red P plates?
Red P1 licences can be more restrictive.
Some rental companies don’t accept P1 drivers at all, while others do. This means it’s particularly important to check the individual rental company’s terms rather than relying on a general “P plates accepted” statement.
Also remember that your P-plate conditions still apply while you’re driving the campervan.
If your licence has restrictions around passengers, driving times, vehicle type or other conditions, you still need to follow them during your road trip.
What if you have an overseas license?
If you’re travelling around Australia as a backpacker, you may be driving on a licence from your home country.
In general, the rental company will need to see a valid license, and additional documentation may be required if your license isn’t in English.
If your license isn’t in English, all operators will require you to carry your original license along with either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a NAATI-certified English translation. There are plenty of services for this which you can find online. For example, you can get your driver’s license translated online with TranslateSwift.
Make sure you have these documents with you when you collect your campervan, as you will be asked to show them at the depot.
Can you hire a campervan with a learner licence?
This is different from having a provisional or P licence.
A learner licence is generally not accepted for campervan hire.
For example, Camperman’s current terms specifically exclude learner permit holders, while allowing provisional drivers who meet its requirements.
If you’re still on your Ls, check with the rental company before making any travel plans around driving a campervan.
Does the size of the campervan matter?
Nope! All of the campervans and motorhomes available through Australian Backpackers can be driven with a regular, full car license.
You don’t need a special heavy vehicle licence to drive any of the vehicles we offer.
Just make sure your licence is valid and meets the rental operator’s requirements, including any minimum age or driving experience requirements.
What should you check before booking?
If you’re under 21 or on your Ps, we’d recommend checking these things before you book:
✓ Minimum driver age
Make sure the rental company accepts your age.
✓ Licence type
Check whether they accept a full, P1 or P2 licence.
✓ Driving experience
Some companies may have additional requirements around how long you’ve held your licence.
✓ Vehicle type
Age and licence requirements can differ between vehicles.
✓ Overseas licence requirements
If your licence isn’t in English, check whether you need an IDP or official translation.
✓ Additional fees
Young or provisional drivers may have additional charges depending on the rental company. If applicable, these will be shown in the price breakdown before you book.
✓ Licence conditions
Make sure your P-plate restrictions are compatible with your planned trip.
So, can you hire a campervan under 21?
Yes, it is possible, but it depends on the rental company, your age, your license and the vehicle you’re hiring.
Being under 21 or having P plates doesn’t automatically rule you out.
The easiest way to avoid problems is to check the exact requirements before booking, rather than finding out at the depot.
If you’re not sure whether you’re eligible for a particular campervan, get in touch with and we can help you check the available options.
Planning your road trip?
Once you’ve sorted your campervan, the next step is planning where to go, where to stay and what to pack. Check out our other Australian road trip guides for ideas and practical tips.
