Dreaming of a big lap, an East Coast run or a Great Ocean Road adventure but you are not 21 yet? Good news: you do not have to wait. Plenty of campervan brands in Australia happily hire to drivers aged 18, 19 and 20 - and some even accept P-platers.
The catch is that policies vary a lot between brands, and picking the wrong one can cost you hundreds of dollars in young driver surcharges. This guide breaks down exactly who hires to young drivers, what it costs, and how to book the best-value van for your first road trip.
Can You Hire a Campervan Under 21?
Yes - but the minimum age and conditions depend on the brand. In Australia, rental companies fall into three broad groups:
| Brand Type | Minimum Age | Young Driver Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / backpacker brands (Jucy, Spaceships, Travellers Autobarn) | 18 with full licence | None |
| Flexible mid-range (Camperman) | 18 - accepts P2 provisional | None |
| Premium brands (Maui, Britz, Apollo) | 21+ | Often $15-$30/day for under 25 |
So if you are 18-20, your sweet spot is the budget and backpacker brands - they were built for exactly your demographic and won't slug you with age fees.
Best Brands for Drivers Aged 18-20
Here are the standout brands for young drivers, based on their published policies:
- Jucy - Hires to drivers from age 18 with a full licence and charges no young driver surcharge. Bright, well-equipped vans and a huge depot network make it a backpacker favourite.
- Spaceships - Also 18+ with no surcharge. Clever convertible campers with pop-tops, solar and a cult following among younger travellers.
- Travellers Autobarn - 18+ with a full licence, no surcharge, and famous for its buy-back scheme on longer trips.
- Camperman - The most provisional-friendly brand in Australia. Accepts P2 drivers from age 18 with no surcharge, and its all-inclusive pricing (unlimited km, insurance, tolls) is genuinely great value for young drivers.
P-Plate Drivers: What Are Your Options?
This is the big question we get from young Aussies. The short answer:
- P2 (green P): Camperman accepts you from age 18. A handful of others may consider you case by case.
- P1 (red P): Options are very limited - most brands require a full or P2 licence. Call ahead before you book.
- Full licence under 21: You have the widest choice - all the budget brands above will hire to you.
For the full run-down on licence classes, international permits and what to bring to the depot, read our complete campervan licensing guide.
International Young Drivers: Which Licence Works Best?
Here is the good news if you are an overseas visitor aged 18-20: you often have more hiring options than a local Aussie the same age. That is because in many countries you earn a full, unrestricted licence at 18, whereas an 18-year-old Australian is usually still on provisional P-plates. Rental companies care about your licence class far more than your nationality, so a full overseas licence opens up almost every young-driver-friendly brand.
What matters is the licence you actually hold and whether it needs translating. Here is the run-down.
If your licence is in English
Drivers from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa can hire and drive on their original licence alone — no International Driving Permit (IDP) needed. Just make sure it is current, it is a full (not learner or provisional) licence, and you carry it whenever you drive.
If your licence is not in English
Drivers from most of Europe and Asia — Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, China and others — need one of the following alongside the original licence:
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) — get this from your home country's motoring authority before you fly out. It is used together with your original licence, never instead of it.
- A NAATI-certified translation — an official English translation of your licence, which can be arranged in Australia if you did not sort an IDP before travelling.
The best-value brands for international 18-20 year olds
The same no-surcharge brands that welcome young Aussies are ideal for international young drivers too, provided you hold a full overseas licence:
- Jucy — 18+ with a full licence, no young driver surcharge, and a big depot network across both Australia and New Zealand.
- Spaceships — 18+, no surcharge, hugely popular with European backpackers.
- Travellers Autobarn — 18+ with a full licence, no surcharge, and multilingual support that makes it a favourite for overseas visitors.
- Camperman — the most flexible on licence class, with all-inclusive pricing (unlimited km, insurance, tolls) that is easy to understand no matter where you are from.
One important note: a small number of premium brands set a minimum age of 21 or 25 regardless of licence, and a few require an IDP even if your licence is in English. Always confirm the specific brand's policy before you book — or filter for young-driver-friendly brands on CamperCompare and skip the guesswork.
For the complete country-by-country IDP table and how long you can drive on an overseas licence in each state, see our campervan licensing guide.
What the Young Driver Surcharge Really Costs
Where a surcharge applies (mostly premium brands, for drivers under 25), it is typically $15-$30 per day. That does not sound like much until you add it up:
| Trip Length | Surcharge at $25/day |
|---|---|
| 7 days | $175 |
| 14 days | $350 |
| 21 days | $525 |
That is the entire fuel budget for a fortnight - gone on an age fee. The fix is simple: choose a brand with no young driver surcharge. On CamperCompare you can compare budget brands side by side and see the true price with insurance included, so the surcharge never sneaks up on you.
How to Book the Best-Value Van as a Young Driver
- Compare no-surcharge brands first. Start with Jucy, Spaceships, Travellers Autobarn and Camperman.
- Filter by your pickup city. One-way fees and availability vary, so lock in your start point.
- Check the excess and bond. A higher excess means a lower daily rate but a bigger credit card hold - decide what suits your budget.
- Bring a credit card in your name. Debit cards are usually knocked back for the security bond.
- Book early. Young-driver-friendly vans in peak season (Dec-Feb) sell out fast.
Ready to roll? Compare live campervan deals for young drivers across every brand in seconds - no hidden fees, and you always see the lowest price.
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