Which driving licence is required to drive an RV?

* UK driving licence holders can generally use their UK licence when driving in the EU. Requirements may differ in certain non-EU European countries.

** The minimum period for which you must have held your driving licence is generally a rental-company requirement and can vary by vehicle and provider.

For campervans in Europe, a standard category B car driving licence is generally sufficient for vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3.5 tonnes. This is the standard car driving licence category used across the EU and corresponds broadly to the standard UK car driving entitlement for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.

For vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of more than 3.5 tonnes, additional driving entitlements may be required. In the EU, category C1 generally covers vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. UK licence entitlements can vary depending on when the licence was issued, so UK customers should check the categories shown on their individual driving licence.

For destinations outside Europe, such as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Namibia and South Africa, most campervans offered by CamperDays can be driven with a standard car driving licence, even where the local licence categories differ from the European B classification.

However, requirements can vary depending on the country, vehicle and rental company. Always check the rental conditions for your specific campervan before booking.

In Australia’s Northern Territory and South Africa, the International Driving Licence is a compulsory document that you must carry with you when travelling. EU citizens with a corresponding driving licence must also apply for an International Driving Licence for a campervan trip through Namibia.

But you do not need an International Driving License in Canada or the USA – unless you book with the Apollo rental company in the USA. Should this be the case, you will need an International Driver’s License to pick up the campervan.

For long distance travel, we recommend that you always obtain an International Driving Licence in order to be prepared for all eventualities at police checks and to avoid lengthy explanations. The issuing of an International Driving License usually costs 5.50 GBP / 15 Euros and is valid for 3 years. It can take a few days depending on the authorities. So make sure you get your International Driving Licence in good time, should you need it.

In Europe you usually do not need an international driving licence.

Many rental companies specify in their rental conditions how long you must have your driving licence to be allowed to rent a campervan. As a rule, you must have held your driving licence for at least one year.

In addition, the minimum age for renting is usually 21 years. However, some rental companies, such as Jucy or Hippie, specialise in young travellers and also rent their campers to younger drivers.