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How Old Do You Have To Be To Hire A Motorhome In The UK?

A motorhome holiday is one of the best ways to explore Britain or Europe. Before you start planning your route, though, there is a practical question worth asking. Do you meet the age requirements to hire a motorhome?

Age rules for motorhome hire in the UK are not set out in law in the same way as car hire, which means they vary between companies. But there are clear industry benchmarks and at Hertz Motorhome Hire we want to be upfront about exactly what to expect.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Hire A Motorhome In The UK?

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The Minimum Age For UK Motorhome Hire

Across the UK, the minimum age for motorhome hire usually starts at 21. At Hertz, drivers must be at least 21 years old to rent out one of our vehicles. However, how long you have had your licence for matters too.

Most hire companies need drivers to have a full, valid UK or EU driving licence for a minimum of two years before the vehicle hire start date. This is because motorhomes are larger and heavier than the average car and a good amount of driving experience makes a difference for your driving confidence and the safety of everyone on the road.

What Young Drivers Can Expect

If you are between 21 and 24 you can still hire a motorhome, but you should be aware that a young driver surcharge could be applied. This is standard practice across vehicle hire and reflects the higher insurance risk typically linked with less experienced drivers.

Before booking a motorhome rental, younger drivers should check:

  • Licence has been active for a minimum of two years
  • Penalty points or endorsements that could affect booking T&Cs
  • The extra cost of a possible young driver supplement (varies by vehicle & hire period)

The surcharge does not have to stop a young driver from having a motorhome holiday but it is a cost to factor in when budgeting for a trip.

Is There A Maximum Age For Motorhome Hire?

Yes, most UK motorhome hire companies have an upper age hire limit, but this does vary. The industry standard sits at around 75 to 79 years old. At Hertz Motorhome Hire drivers can hire vehicles with us up to the age of 79. If you are over 79 get in touch directly as some cases can be referred to our insurers and considered on an individual basis.

Age is only one part of eligibility. A person's driving history, licence type and the class of vehicle you want to hire all make an impact.

Driving Licence Requirements

You do not need a specialist licence to drive most motorhome vehicles in the UK. Vehicles up to 3,500kg (the vast majority of our motorhome fleet) can be driven on a standard category B car licence. A few of our heavier models (3,500kg–7,500kg) may require a category C1 licence.

  • Standard motorhomes up to 3,500kg – category B licence
  • Larger motorhomes 3,500kg–7,500kg – category C1 licence

If you passed your driving test before January 1997 you may already hold C1 automatically, therefore checking your licence to confirm is a good idea.

What Else Can Affect Eligibility?

There are a few other things that can impact whether you are able to hire a vehicle:

  • Penalty points
  • Claims history
  • Additional drivers

Most companies will have limits on the number and type of endorsements they are able to accept for hires. Serious offences like drink driving convictions tend to be excluded entirely for instance. A recent accident, which is classified as your fault, can also affect your ability to hire or could increase your deposit or hire insurance. Finally, if you are planning to share the driving with another member of your party, every named driver needs to meet the same age and licence criteria.

Ready To Book?

Age and licence hire rules are in place for practical reasons. A motorhome is a valuable and large vehicle to drive so our requirements are there to make sure every trip goes smoothly.

If you are unsure if you are allowed to hire a motorhome, simply give our team a call before you book. We are always happy to talk through your circumstances, answer any questions about eligibility and help you find the right vehicle for your needs. Get in touch today and get your motorhome trip booked in.