Renting a Motorhome for the First Time: Complete Guide (Licence, Prices and Checklist)

Renting a motorhome before buying one is the smartest decision you can make. In a single week you find out whether you enjoy life on wheels, what size of vehicle you really need and whether you prefer campsites with a hook-up or wild nights by the sea.

The problem is that the first time everything sounds like a new language: GVW, excess, grey water, cassette toilet, deposit, mileage limits… And at the pickup desk, in a hurry and excited about the trip, it is easy to sign without reading or drive off without checking what matters.

In this guide we share everything we wish we had known before our first rental: which licence you need, roughly how much it costs, what the price includes and what to check before you set off.

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1. Which Driving Licence Do You Need for a Motorhome?

This is the number one question, and for the vast majority of cases the answer is simple:

• Category B licence (standard car licence): Lets you drive vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM, also called GVW) of up to 3,500 kg. Most rental campervans and motorhomes are homologated right at that limit, so your car licence is enough. This rule applies across the whole European Union.
• Category C1 licence: Required for vehicles over 3,500 kg and up to 7,500 kg MAM. Some large A-class motorhomes or 6-7 berth overcab models exceed 3,500 kg and need this licence.

Watch out: What counts is the maximum authorised mass shown on the vehicle registration documents, not what the vehicle weighs when empty. Always ask the rental company and confirm this figure before booking.

Besides the licence, most companies require a minimum age (usually between 21 and 25) and a minimum time holding the licence (normally 1 to 3 years). Conditions vary, so read them on each platform.

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2. How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Motorhome? (Approximate Prices)

Prices depend heavily on the season, the age of the vehicle, the pickup city and the length of the rental. The table below shows approximate daily ranges we typically see in Spain. Use them as a guide and always compare across several platforms.

Vehicle type	Low season (Nov–Mar)	Mid season (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct)	High season (Jul–Aug, Easter)
Campervan (2-4 berths)	€60 – 100/day	€90 – 140/day	€130 – 200/day
Low-profile motorhome (2-4 berths)	€80 – 120/day	€110 – 170/day	€150 – 230/day
Family overcab (5-6 berths)	€90 – 130/day	€120 – 180/day	€160 – 250/day
A-class (2-4 berths)	€110 – 160/day	€150 – 210/day	€200 – 300/day

Approximate, indicative prices without extras. They do not correspond to any specific company.

On top of that you may pay extras: cleaning fee, kitchen kit, bedding, outdoor chairs and table, bike rack, pets or extended insurance. In high season a minimum stay of 5 to 7 nights is common.

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3. What the Price Usually Includes (and What It Does Not)

Before comparing prices, compare what each offer includes. Two rentals with the same daily rate can end up hundreds of euros apart.

• Mileage: Some offers include unlimited kilometres and others a daily allowance (for example 150-250 km/day) with a charge per extra kilometre. If you are planning a long route, this detail is key.
• Insurance: Compulsory third-party cover is always included, and usually comprehensive cover with an excess (see section 4).
• Kitchen kit: Pots, frying pan, plates, cutlery and glasses. Often included; sometimes an extra.
• Bedding and towels: Frequently an extra per person. You can bring your own sleeping bag or sheets.
• Gas: At least one full bottle is usually provided. Ask whether the second one is included and whether you need to return it full.
• Fuel: Normally handed over with a full tank and returned the same way.
• 24-hour roadside assistance: Essential. Confirm it is included and keep the number handy.

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4. Deposit, Insurance and Excess: What You Need to Understand

This is where beginners get the biggest surprises.

The deposit

An amount blocked on your credit card (debit cards are rarely accepted) when you collect the vehicle and released when you return it undamaged. Typical amounts are roughly €800 to €2,000, depending on the vehicle and company. Make sure your card has enough limit.

The excess

The amount you pay out of your own pocket if there is damage, even with comprehensive insurance. If the excess is €1,500 and you scrape the side door on a car park pillar, you will pay up to that €1,500.

Almost every company offers an excess reduction add-on for a daily supplement. For a first trip, especially with a large vehicle, it is worth considering: scrapes to the underbody, mirrors and roof are the most typical first-trip damage.

Read the small print: Many policies exclude damage to the roof, underbody, awning and tyres, or height-related damage (petrol station canopies and car park barriers). Ask before signing.

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5. Rental Companies vs Peer-to-Peer Platforms

There are two main models in Spain:

Companies with their own fleet

Companies such as Indie Campers or Roadsurfer run their own vehicles from bases in major cities. Pros: a consistent, recent fleet, standardised processes, a walkthrough at pickup and centralised support. Cons: less variety and less flexible pricing.

Peer-to-peer platforms (P2P)

On Yescapa or Goboony, private owners (and some small businesses) rent out their vehicles through the platform, which handles payment and insurance. Pros: huge variety, vehicles with character and often owners who share local tips. Cons: quality and condition depend on each owner, so read the reviews carefully.

Either way, compare the total final price (with insurance, extras and mileage), not just the daily rate.

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6. Pickup Checklist: Check Everything Before You Drive Off

Allow at least an hour for pickup. This is our checklist:

• Photos and video of the entire exterior, including the roof (if you can), underbody, awning and wheels. Make sure the date shows.
• Check that every existing damage is noted on the handover document.
• Fuel level and mileage (photo of the dashboard).
• Fresh water tank full and grey water tank empty. Ask where the drain taps are.
• Gas bottle: which one is connected, how to swap it and how to open the valve.
• Cassette toilet: how to remove it, empty it and which chemical it uses.
• Test the heating, fridge, hob, lights, water pump and 230 V socket.
• Learn how the leisure battery and control panel work.
• Total vehicle height (write it on a sticky note on the dashboard).
• Documents, hi-vis vests, warning triangles or warning device, and the assistance phone number.

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7. Tips for Day One

1. Do not plan a long stage on the first day. Drive 100-150 km at most and sleep at a campsite or motorhome service area.
2. Practise reversing in an empty car park. Always use your travel companion as an outside guide.
3. Watch the rear overhang: in tight turns the back swings outwards.
4. Before setting off, check that windows, roof vents, the step and cupboards are closed.
5. Find out where you can stay overnight. Parking is not the same as camping; we explain it in our legal guide to camping and overnight parking in Spain.

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8. Typical Rookie Mistakes

• Overloading: With a 3,500 kg MAM, the payload margin is often limited. Water, gas, luggage and passengers add up fast.
• Forgetting the height: Petrol stations, car parks with height barriers and old tunnels. It is the most common and most expensive damage.
• Packing too many clothes: Storage space is limited. Soft bags work better than hard suitcases.
• Not emptying the cassette in time: Empty it every 2-3 days at an authorised disposal point, never down a public drain.
• Returning late or dirty: Penalties for late return or cleaning can be high. Check the conditions.

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9. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a motorhome with a B licence? Yes, as long as its MAM does not exceed 3,500 kg. This rule is the same throughout the European Union.

Is a campervan or a motorhome better to start with? For a couple, a campervan is easier to drive and park. For families, an overcab or low-profile motorhome offers more space. We compare them in detail in motorhome, campervan or caravan: which to choose.

When should I book? For July, August and Easter, several months in advance. In low season there is usually availability a few weeks ahead.

Can I bring my dog? It depends on the company or the owner. Many allow it with a cleaning supplement.

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Our Verdict

Renting for the first time is not complicated if you arrive prepared: confirm the MAM and your licence, compare the total price (not just the daily rate), consider reducing the excess and set aside an hour for pickup. Start with a short trip of 4 to 7 days on an easy route. You will come back knowing exactly which vehicle suits you, and if you ever decide to buy, you will do it with confidence.