What type of licence do I need to rent a campervan in Australia?
By Vroom Team • Reviewed 23 Feb 2026
In most cases, a regular driver’s licence will be sufficient, but for international drivers, there is another consideration to keep in mind.
Hiring a campervan in Australia is simpler than many travellers expect, and in most cases, all you need is a standard, full car licence — not a truck or heavy vehicle licence. Read on to find out all you need to know before you collect your motorhome keys and hit the road.
Why your licence matters
Campervans come in all shapes and sizes — from compact two-berth vehicles ideal for a couple of friends through to larger six-berth motorhomes designed with the family in mind. In most cases, these types of vehicles all fall within standard car licence limits that are accepted for renting a car, meaning you can drive them on a regular licence. That said, rental providers will still have some boxes to check before handing you the keys, and having the following in order will minimise delays — and remove the risk of being refused at the counter. Expect all rental campervan providers to check:
Your licence class.
The status of your licence status (that it is valid and current).
That you satisfy the provider’s minimum age requirements.
That you’ve held your licence for at least a minimum period of time.
If you hold an Australian licence
Most travellers with a full Australian car licence (Class C in most states) are permitted to drive standard campervans on their regular car licence. This includes vehicles of up to 4.5 tonnes Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), thus covering the vast majority of campervans and motorhomes available to rent in Australia.
With a full Australian driving licence you’re well on the way to being able to drive away, but the rental provider require all of the following, and you should expect them to check these:
You must hold a full licence — learner licences are not accepted.
Provisional (P1 or P2) drivers are often restricted or not permitted at all.
Your licence must be valid and not suspended in any way.
The name on your licence must match the name the booking was under.
If you’re visiting from overseas
In many ways, the rules for international visitors with foreign licences are similar to those for drivers with Australian licences, and as such can usually rent a campervan with their valid overseas licence. There are however, some extra issues you should be aware of, and what you need will depend on the language your licence is in.
If your licence is in English
You are generally permitted to rent and drive a campervan or motorhome assuming:
You can present a valid and current overseas licence.
Your licence clearly shows your name and an expiry date.
You can supply another form of photographic evidence, such as a passport, for identification.
If your licence is not in English
If your licence is not in English, you will need, at a minimum, the following to be able to rent a campervan or motorhome:
Your foreign driving licence.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official English translation of your licence.
An IDP does not replace your original licence and it is not accepted for driving in Australia under any conditions unless you also have your original licence with you. Photos or copies of your original licence are not accepted — you must have the original licence with you, and you are expected to carry both documents together.
If you arrive without the required documentation, the rental company may refuse the booking.
Do I need a special licence for larger campervans?
In most cases, no. Standard Australian car licences allow you to drive vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes GVM, and most two- to six-berth campervans fall under below this limit. Larger motorhomes that weigh above 4.5 tonnes require a Light Rigid (LR) licence, but vehicles of this weight are uncommon in typical rental motorhome fleets. If you’re booking a particularly large premium or luxury motorhome, be sure to check the vehicle weight before confirming your booking.
Minimum age and driving experience
Having the correct licence is only a part of the full picture when it comes to renting a campervan in Asutralia. As when renting a car, age restrictions vary between rental providers, but campervan suppliers require the following:
Drivers need to be at least 21 years of age.
Drivers need to have held a full licence for at least one year, sometimes two.
Occasionally rental providers may allow younger drivers aged between 18 and 20 for a rental campervan, but this typically will entail higher fees and perhaps restrictions on which campervans are available to be hired. Likewise, renting a larger campervan may carry a higher minimum age limit.
VroomVroomVroom’s campervan hire licence checklist
Here at VroomVroomVroom we’re all about making it as easy as possible for you to rent the perfect campervan. Keep the following checklist in mind to make sure your journey from the rental desk to the driver’s seat is as smooth as possible.
You have a current and valid licence.
You meet the minimum age requirement.
You’ve held your licence for the required minimum period.
You have an IDP if your licence is not in English.
For most travellers, renting a campervan in Australia requires nothing more than a standard, full car licence. The key is to make sure your licence is valid, correctly documented, and appropriate for the vehicle you’ve booked. If you’re unsure of the requirements, check the vehicle details and provider Terms and Conditions before confirming your reservation — it’s always easier to clarify these sort of things beforehand rather than at the rental counter.
Important InformationWhen renting a campervan in Australia
The primary driver — and any additional drivers — must present a valid driver’s licence in their name when collecting the vehicle at the rental branch. If your licence is not printed in English, you’ll need an International Driving Permit.
About the author
Vroom Team
VroomVroomVroom’s writing team brings together decades of writing expertise to share their insights into travelling around Australia by rental car. Let our team help you get the most out of your rental car experience.
