In many cases, a regular driving licence should be suffient to rent a campervan in the UK, but there are a few points to keep in mind. Read on to find out more.
If you’re planning to hire a campervan in the United Kingdom, you’ll need a valid driving licence. All UK, EU, American, Canadian, New Zealand and Australian driving licences are generally accepted. If your licence is not printed in English, you may also need to present an International Driving Permit along with your licence. In some cases, paper licences are still valid, however, some locations may require you to present your photo licence.
If you passed your UK driving test before 1997, generally you are permitted to drive motorhomes up to 7.5 tonnes. If you passed your test after that date, and wish to drive a vehicle larger than 3.5 tonnes, you may need to take an additional test.
Campervans are generally smaller than 3.5 tonnes, meaning renters are able to drive them with a standard UK licence. If you are hiring a motorhome that is between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, you will need a category C1 licence. The mass of the vehicle is calculated based on its weight plus the maximum load it can hold. If the vehicle is larger than 7.5 tonnes, drivers will need a Category C licence.
Licence and identification requirements may be different based on which supplier and location you are hiring from. Feel free to contact us for more information about the documents that you will require for your specific rental.
Some suppliers may wish to check information about your driving licence that is stored on the DVLA website. You may need to present a copy of your National Insurance Number, as well as provide your postcode.
You may be required to declare if you have any recent endorsements on your licence.
Drivers in Northern Ireland may need to present both their photo card and paper driving licence.
