Campervans are a popular method of travel in New Zealand thanks to the country’s abundance of camping grounds, holiday parks, and well-maintained roads. Here’s a few things you should know when looking to book a campervan.
Campervans are measured by berth, which refers to the number of people the vehicle can sleep. Two-berth campervans are ideal for couples but often don’t feature amenities, such as bathroom and kitchen facilities. Larger, six-berth motorhomes can sleep more people and generally include amenities.
In New Zealand, the minimum age to rent a campervan is generally 21 years old. You’ll need to check the terms and conditions of the campervan provider to see which age restrictions apply.
Although you can pay your deposit with a debit card, a credit card in the name of the primary driver is required for the security bond and additional charges. Campervan rental companies don’t typically accept cash.
A valid driver licence is required to rent a vehicle. It must be printed in English, otherwise, you’ll need to present an International Driving Permit. Provisional licences and learner permits are not accepted.
Basic insurance is included in the rates, however, the campervan will also have an excess amount. You’ll be responsible for paying this excess amount in the event the campervan is damaged or lost. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to check your campervan or motorhome rental upon pick up for any existing damage; take photos of the vehicle to prove its condition prior to you driving it.
You can request a child seat upon booking. In New Zealand, children shorter than 148cm legally need to be secured in some form of child seat.
If you travel on toll roads, you are responsible for paying the fees. Talk to your rental provider if you’d like to know more about how to pay these tolls.
You are not permitted to take campervan rentals between the North Island and South Island. This will void any insurance, and you’ll be liable to pay the full cost of any damage incurred. There may be rare cases where this is permitted, but you’ll need to refer to the terms of rental agreement.
When you rent a campervan, you’ll be able to request roadside assistance via your rental provider. Keep in mind, this may not cover things like flat batteries, flat tyres, fuel depletion, or keys being locked in the vehicle.
Service dogs are sometimes permitted, but this will need to be pre-authorised with the rental provider.
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