Meet our Minibus and Minivan Fleet
Grab your group and hit the road with a self-drive 8-12 seater bus hire. Our modern minibus fleet is the perfect solution to give you extra room for the whole crew.
Whether you need a family-friendly 8-seater minibus or a large group 12-seater minivan, we have the spot-on vehicle hire for you. With over 35 years as an Australian-owned family car rental business, we can help you steer clear of the ordinary and dive into the extraordinary!
A Minibus Hire That Hits The Spot
With Redspot, we care about both the destination and the journey! That’s why, wherever your group is heading, Redspot has the vehicle to get you there in style and comfort.
Group Event
Regardless if this weekend’s a bucks night or a more casual social event, a minibus hire can help you kickstart the group vibes before you even arrive. Assign a designated driver for safety, crank up the speakers and hit the road to your party.
Sports Games
Hire a minibus from an Australian-owned car rental company for a true Aussie sporting experience. Whether your group is into AFL, NRL, Tennis or Football, get excited about the game all together in a minivan hire.
Our first choice of team trip would be to support our Melbourne Storm partner, but we’re totally not biased!
Weddings
Give yourself peace of mind and make it to the wedding on time with a group minibus hire.
Guests can spend more time on their wedding outfits and relaxing when they know they don’t need to navigate public transport. Nothing says arriving in style quite like the entire bridal party stepping out together, rather than wrinkling suits and dresses on the train.
Just make sure you have a designated driver for the night and you are all set!
Adventure Trips
Australia is full of incredible adventures that are best enjoyed in groups! So, don’t miss out on making precious memories with friends and family just because you don’t have a car big enough to fit everyone at home.
Load up a hired passenger van with everyone you love and explore down under. Whether it’s hitting the slopes in Thredbo, Kosciuszko or a road trip through 65,000 years of history in Kakadu National Park, a minibus hire can get you there.
Construction Work
If you have a construction job that needs all hands on deck, a mine spec minibus hire can accelerate the task. Our mine spec minivans have been modified to meet the safety and operational requirements of mining and construction sites.
Get the job spot on with a mine spec minibus hire!
Load up with Redspot’s red-hot value packages!
Standard Package
Need something a little more simple but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $5,200 to $6,200 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Super Package
More cover, less cost. Redspot’s Super Package gives you reduced damage liability and extra perks—perfect if you want more peace of mind without going all-out. This includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $1,950 to $2,750 damage liability excess*
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Executive Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built-in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs, we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- $0 standard liability excess*
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Contract fee **
- Premium location fee***
- Registration recovery fee****
- Book now, pay later
Terminology Key.
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: ‘Amount reduced by’ is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected. See our Car Rental Cover page for more information.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
Minibus Red Hot Driving Tips
Preparation is key for a relaxing drive! Whether it’s your first time driving a minibus or you are a regular, always prepare for the difference between a standard vehicle and a minibus size.
Some important tips for you to remember include:
Allow more space
A minibus weighs more than a small car, so it also takes more time to brake and maneuver. Allow more space between yourself and the car in front, while also always taking corners slowly.
Note the height
Don’t forget you are in a higher vehicle and may sometimes drive through a height-restricted area. Be sure to always check that you are below any height restrictions before entering the included area.
Account for a larger blind spot
The blind spot in a minibus is longer than a standard vehicle. Use your mirrors more frequently and be vigilant in checking your blind spots.
Familiarise yourself with the controls
A minibus may have some differentiation in controls. It can be helpful to check over them before you gear up.
Check the fuel policy
Understand the minibus fuel policy before you pick it up. With Redspot, we have you covered with pre-pay and refuelling services, or you can fill up the tank yourself.
Double-check the luggage space
A full minibus generally does not have a lot of boot space. Check the measurements you need and consider hiring a larger minibus for your full team and their bags.
Redspot: Where every rental is spot-on.
Fully Aussie-owned and operated
Founded, owned and operated by local Aussie family for over 35 years!
Personalised care
Our small, dedicated teams in over 40 spots around Australia are here to help out wherever the road takes you.
Amazing value
Get the most bang for your buck with our all-inclusive packages and customisable options in between.
No hidden costs
All taxes and GST with no extra fees are included in our rates.
24/7 roadside assistance
All our rental cars are covered by 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance.
Where to go with a Redspot Mini Bus Hire
We have locations across Australia, including all major cities, so you’ll never have to travel far. Find the closest rental location to start planning your group travel now!
Mini Van Hire Melbourne
Pick up a minibus hire from Melbourne City and accelerate your group travel plans. Or, if you need a large airport transfer solution, head straight to our Melbourne Airport branch when you land.
Get in gear and hit the road for an adventure through Victoria!
Mini Bus Hire Sydney
With 5 Sydney Car Rental branches, you are never too far away from revving up a group minibus hire with Redspot.
Our first Redspot branch opened in Sydney in 1989 and our local, helpful staff have been getting customers on the road to explore our beautiful city ever since. For airport transfers, fun modes of transport for parties, and many more benefits, you can get a spotless minibus with us!
Mini Bus Hire Brisbane
Brisbane is the gateway to exploring the stunning state of Queensland so why not buckle up your full team in a minibus hire? With two convenient locations in Brisbane Airport and a car rental branch in Brisbane CBD, you can get in the driver’s spot and accelerate your group adventure.
8 and 12 Seat Minibus Hire FAQs
Do you need a special license to drive a 12-passenger van in Australia?
In Australia, a standard car licence allows you to drive a minibus with up to 12 people (including the driver). However, a standard car licence (Class C) has a restriction of up to 4.5 tonnes of gross vehicle mass (GVM), including passengers.
While you would normally need to be vigilant of this restriction, all Redspot minibuses have a GVM below 4.5 tonnes. This way, you know you can always jump right behind the wheel and get started on your journey.
If you are an International Driver, you should check the GVM restriction on your local standard car licence to ensure you can drive a minibus.
How high is a 12-seater bus?
Generally, a 12-seater minibus is around 2.3 meters in total height. A mine spec mini bus may have additional attachments on the roof, such as an LED light or roof racks.
Can a minibus use a bus lane?
A private hire minibus would not be allowed to use a bus lane in Australia. Although bus lane rules can change slightly from state to state, in general, only public buses can use bus lanes.
Mini buses are typically defined as:
- Seating eight or more passengers
- Transporting passengers for hire, reward, trade or business
If these features are identified as a ‘public bus’ in your state, only then can you use the bus lane.
How does a plug-in hybrid work?
It’s the best of both worlds – part electric, part petrol. You plug it in to charge the battery (just like topping up your phone), and it’ll run on electric power for short trips, which is perfect for city runs or the morning coffee dash. Once the battery’s low, the petrol engine kicks in and keeps you going without skipping a beat. It’s smooth, smart, and doesn’t mind doing the heavy lifting when you forget to charge.
What is the difference between a minivan and a minibus?
A minivan is used to refer to vehicles seating 8 passengers.
In contrast, a minibus typically refers to a car seating passengers of 10 or more.
With the Redspot fleet, the Kia Carnival or similar is defined as an 8-seater minivan. Meanwhile, the Toyota Commuter or similar is a minibus.
Can I remove seats in my rental minibus?
Unfortunately, you are unable to remove the seats in our minivan rentals. Should you need more space, some vehicles have collapsable back row seats. Perfect for fitting in extra luggage.
Are minibuses hard to drive?
If you are not familiar with driving a minibus, it can be hard to drive. However, they are not too different from driving a standard car if you familiarise yourself ahead of time.
For example, allow more space for braking and maneuvering to account for the heavier load in a minibus. Also, remember that the blind spot is larger so ensure you use the mirrors more than you would with a regular car.
