The rules vary depending on your nationality and where you are renting:
Europe
Minimum age
- Europe (except Great Britain and Ireland): Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have one year of driving experience with a driver's licence.
- Great Britain and Ireland: Driver's must be at least 21 years old and have one year of driving experience with a driver's licence.
To prove driving experience, the date on which the driving licence was obtained must be clearly visible, as is the case here on the back of the German driving licence:
Driver's licence
- The driver's licence must allow you to drive cars up to 3.5 tonnes: Class 3 or B
- If you have lost your driving licence or it has expired, we will also accept an officially issued provisional driver's licence.
What do I need to bear in mind when going on road trips abroad?
- All renters who have a drivers licence from an EU member state or the EEA are free to drive in Germany and the EU/EEA.
- English drivers licences (after Brexit) will continue to be recognised in the EU/EEA. Likewise, driving licenses from Monaco.
- EU/EEA drivers licences are also recognised without an international drivers licence in the following countries: Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Bosnia-Herzegovina, GB, Serbia, Switzerland, Albania
- IMPORTANT: The same conditions apply to each registered additional driver.
When do I need an international driver's licence?
- If your driving licence is not issued in a member state of the European Union (EU) or a signatory state of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) and you rent in the EU or UK.
- If you enter a driver's licence not issued in the EU/EEA in your Customer Account, under ‘Drivers’, a pop-up will inform you that you must apply for an international driver's licence and bring it with you. Otherwise, we will not be able to hand over your camper!
Renting a camper as a UK citizen - You need to be aware of this!
North America
Minimum age
USA, Canada: Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have at least one year of driving experience with a drivers licence.
To prove driving experience, the date on which the driving licence was obtained must be clearly visible, as is the case here on the back of the German driving licence:
Driver's licence for US/CAN citizens
- In the USA, you need a Class C/D (or in Mississippi/Colorado: Class R) drivers licence to drive our motorhomes.
- In Canada, you need a Class 5/G (Ontario) driving licence. A Class 5-GDL (Probationary) driver's licence is also sufficient, but the date you obtained your licence must be clearly stated on the licence (at least 1 year).
- Special regulations apply to the provinces of Quebec, Labrador and Newfoundland: Class 5 license allows you to only drive up to 4.500kg vehicles. Thus, you will need a Class 3 license to drive our Family Freedom, as it is too heavy!
Driver's licence for other citizens
- In North America, the limit for the total weight of a car is 26,000 pounds (approximately 11.8 tonnes). Therefore, you may drive our campers over 3.5 tonnes even with your non-US/CAN driving licence of class B/3.
- You need to have your local + international driver's licence with you.
What is an international driver's licence?
- An international drivers licence is not a separate driver's licence, but an additional document.
- It is only valid in conjunction with your national driving licence.
- It is a kind of translation of your national driver's licence.
- Some driver's licences, such as those from Turkey, already have an international driver's licence on the back of the document. This is, of course, accepted and in such cases, we do not require a separate international driver's licence.
- We have researched some information for you – but please make sure to check with the local authorities or automobile clubs yourself to find out how you can obtain your international driving licence – this varies greatly depending on your nationality (no guarantee of completeness or accuracy).
Exchange of older driving licences for EU card driving licences
Please make sure to check whether your driving licence is affected and needs to be exchanged before pick-up: Driving licence exchange in Germany (paper driving licence & card driving licences)