Head for a road trip and hike at Mount Coot-tha with the whole crew or transport co-workers through the CBD with a quality 12 seater van hire in Brisbane. Redspot’s people carrier vans let you explore the capital city of Queensland without having to split up your group.
Our 12-seater vans have a GVM that is under the legal threshold of 4.5 tonnes, so you and your friends don’t need a special licence or qualifications to drive them. Our vehicles are also 5-star ANCAP-rated and feature automatic transmission for easier driving.
We have over 35 years of experience in the Australian rental car industry, so we know how to take care of the little details so you can enjoy the freedom of the open road. With 24/7 roadside assistance and basic insurance is included with each of our hired vehicles, you and your crew can rely on Redspot for a safe trip in Brisbane.
Returning your 12 seater van
Head to our Moorooka branch or to either terminal at Brisbane Airport and park in our designated area to return your vehicle. After parking, just drop your keys off with our staff and you’re good to go.
Essential safety features
All our 12-seater vans come with a reverse camera, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and a 5-star ANCAP rating.
Massive cargo space
Our 12-seater vans can usually hold about 3-4 large suitcases or 4-6 small bags.
Drive a ute with a standard licence
Redspot’s ute fleet can be driven with a standard ‘C-class’ driver’s licence.
Meet our Fleet.
At Redspot, our 12-seater minivans and buses are well-maintained and fully equipped to make transporting you and your friends as easy as possible.
All Redspot vehicles come with 24/7 Standard Roadside Assistance. For even more peace of mind, consider our Premium Roadside Assistance, with fuel delivery, accommodation reimbursement and more to keep you rolling.
Group Road Trips in Brisbane
Keep the good times rolling with a 12-seater minivan hire. Save money on hiring fees and petrol costs and keep everyone on the same schedule at the same time.
With a 5-star ANCAP rating, 24/7 roadside assistance and basic insurance included with each hire, we can ensure you and your group get the care you deserve on the road.
Beach adventures
It’s not a true trip to Queensland without a beach visit or two! Our 12-seaters are sure to hit the sweet spot if you’re looking for a beach adventure. Pack up all your crucial kit with roof racks for surfboards and plenty of luggage room for sunscreen, towels and more. Just don’t leave anyone out at sea!
Group tours and events
From visits to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary to dropping off your friends at The Gabba for the AFL, there are plenty of incredible things to do with a 12-seater van in Brisbane. Kickstart your adventures across Queensland’s capital without having to split into multiple cars.
Say goodbye to costly fuel bills or losing each other in heavy traffic, and save your hard-earned cash for what matters. Like koala petting or an ice-cold frozen drink.
Wedding events
Getting a wedding party ready is already stressful enough without having to stress about public transport. With a 12-seater hire for weddings, you can ensure the entire bridal party can make it to your wedding without so much as a scuff on their dress.
Just be sure to set a designated driver for the evening before you hit the dance floor.
Christmas parties
Book your Christmas party at any location you want without worrying about how your co-workers or friends will get there with a 12-seater van hire. From wine tasting tours to paintball events, your group can have a go at any event and get home together with barely any hassle. Just pick or hire a driver and you’re red-y to roll.
Corporate Minibus hire
Get the whole office to your business meetings on time with a corporate minibus hire. Our 12-seater hired vans are sleek, professional and easy to drive. With a spacious and air-conditioned interior, you can keep your staff cool under pressure before and after your presentations.
Need to get moving ASAP? Join Redspot’s Business Club to streamline your hiring process and get you and your staff behind the wheel in under 15 seconds with a show-and-go card.
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.
12-seater van driving tips for Brisbane
If it’s your first time driving a 12-seater van, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. Whether it’s your first time driving a minivan or you are a seasoned veteran, it’s always good to be prepared for the difference between driving a standard sedan and a 12-seater vehicle.
Some important tips to remember include:
Give more space
A minivan weighs more than a typical car, and it also takes more time to brake and turn. Allow more space between yourself and other cars, and take each corner slowly.
Remember your height
Don’t forget you are in a higher vehicle, and you may accidentally reach a height-restricted area. Be sure to check ahead of time that you are not heading onto a height-restricted road or that you are under the height restriction.
Be mindful of traffic
Expect a high level of congestion during peak season throughout the Gold Coast. Drive slowly, keep a safe distance and allow extra time for parking and travel, especially in areas such as Surfers Paradise or Broadbeach.
U-turns
In Queensland, you can only perform a U-turn when there is no sign prohibiting it. U-turns are also prohibited at traffic lights. You must also give way to all other vehicles, including bicycles, personal mobility devices and pedestrians. Be mindful of your vehicle’s larger size, and check your blind spots carefully.
Distracted drivers
From November 2025 onwards, Queensland has introduced a fine and demerit points for drivers caught drinking coffee or any other beverage while driving. This is because the activity is considered a distraction that can hamper driving ability and reaction time. Be sure to avoid eating, drinking or holding objects while driving in Queensland.
Account for a larger blind spot
A 12-seater vehicle has a longer blind spot than standard cars. Be sure to use your mirrors more frequently, and be vigilant in checking your blind spots.
Familiarise yourself with the controls
A minivan may have different steering than you are familiar with. Consider checking over the controls before you head off.
Check your fuel policy
Understand your 12-seater van’s 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.
Plan your route
Some roads may be closed or have a weight limit. Be sure to look up your route ahead of time to have a faster, smoother journey.
Understand insurance options
You have a lot to think about while driving a larger vehicle. Liabilities should not be one of them. Give yourself more peace of mind with Redspot’s all-inclusive package.
Queensland alcohol limit
Queensland has a general alcohol limit of less than 0.05 BAC. If you are heading to a wedding or other party, you should set a designated driver or hire a driver to ensure you obey all the necessary rules on the night.
Be aware of luggage space
A 12-seater van does not have enough luggage space for a full party of 12. Check the measurements you need and consider hiring a larger minibus or multiple cars for your full team and their bags.
Where to hire a 12-seater van in Brisbane
Whether you’re planning a wild adventure with space for the whole crew or transporting a wedding party, our 12-seater van hires are built to hit your sweet spot. Hop behind the wheel of a well-maintained, spacious and easy-to-drive 12-seater fit for the whole group.
Brisbane Domestic Airport
Whether you’ve just arrived or are looking for a 12-seater rental van, our Brisbane domestic Airport branch is easy to reach. Just follow the signs to the domestic terminal of Brisbane Airport, then look for the signs pointing you towards our designated parking bay in the P1 car park on the ground floor.
When you’re ready to turn your hired van in, just head to our designated parking space and return your keys to the desk, or leave them in our 24/7 drop box if you’re dropping off after hours. We also have after-hours pick-up available at this branch. Just call us on 07 3187 4450 or email us at brisbane.airport@redspot.com.au to discuss your options.
Need to drop off late at night? We can accommodate you at our Gold Coast branch. Just park your van in our parking bay and return your keys to our 24/7 drop box near our terminal counter.
Brisbane International Airport
Head off the airport exit from the highway to find our Brisbane International Airport branch. Just follow the signs to the International Airport parking area and the boomgates will open automatically for you.
Once you’ve parked in our designated parking area, you can find our office on the level 2 Arrivals Hall. This is also where you can find our 24/7 drop box for late-night drop-off. For after-hours pick-up, call us on 07 3187 4450 or email us at brisbane.airport@redspot.com.au and we can arrange something that suits you.
Brisbane Moorooka
Need to pick up a van a little closer to the city? Our Moorooka branch is just a 20-minute drive south of Brisbane’s CBD, right by the Moorooka Magic Mile. Head straight to your job or start checking out new furniture without hassling through airport traffic.
To arrange an after-hours pick-up, contact us on 07 3187 4443 or email us at moorooka@redspot.com.au. Unfortunately, we do not have after-hours drop-off available at this location. Please return your vehicle the next business day, or drop off at our airport branches.
12 seater van Brisbane FAQ
How much luggage space does a 12-seater rental have?
At Redspot, our Toyota Commuter (or similar) typically has enough space for at least 4 large suitcases and 2 small bags, or 3-4 medium-sized suitcases. This includes a full capacity of 12 passengers.
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 or van with up to 12 people. However, a standard car licence (Class C) has a restriction of up to 4.5 tonnes of gross vehicle mass (GVM), including the weight of passengers.
Thankfully, all Redspot 12-seaters and minibuses have a GVM under the maximum. You can jump right behind the wheel without having to break out the scale.
If you are an International Driver, you should check the GVM restriction on your local standard car licence to ensure you can drive a 12-seater van.
How high is a 12-seater van?
Typically, our 12-seater vans are around 2.3 meters in total height. A mine spec minivan may have additional attachments to be aware of on the roof, such as an LED light or roof racks.
Make sure you check the exact height before driving off the rental lot.
Do the seats go down in a 12 passenger van?
Yes, in our 12-seater Toyota Commuter (or similar), some seats can be folded down to create more cargo space.
Just ask our friendly staff when you pick up the vehicle, and they can show you how to reconfigure the seating in the safest, most secure way possible.
Does a 12 seater van include the driver?
Yes, a self-drive 12-seater van includes the driver in the head count.
Can I hire a 12 seater van to go one way?
With Redspot, you definitely can! We have flexible one-way rental packages that let you pick up your vehicle in one branch and drop it off in another, so you don’t have to worry about the return trips. This helps you to save on time, fuel and money.
Please keep in mind that one-way rentals typically come with a drop fee, or one-way fee, to cover the cost of moving the vehicle back to its original branch. This fee will be shown to you during your online booking process, so you know what you are paying for from day 1 and are fully aware of price differences.
Are there places I can’t drive in Brisbane?
Yes, while you are driving a 12 seater van, there are certain areas you may be prohibited from driving in:
- Bus lanes: Only public buses are permitted to use bus lanes, not minibuses or 12 seater vans.
- Weight/height restricted roads: Some roads, especially in the older city areas, may have weight restrictions that a 12-seater van could exceed. Check the Queensland heavy vehicle route map to see if your route has any restrictions on your 12 seater van.
- National parks: Access to certain areas in national parks may be restricted for larger vehicles like minibuses and 12-seater vans.
What is the difference between a van and a minivan?
A van is typically a larger vehicle with a large cargo bay and 2-3 seats for passengers. They are mainly used to transport goods and carry cargo.
A minivan is a passenger vehicle designed to carry larger groups of 7-12 passengers, depending on the vehicle.
Can a 12-seater van use a bus lane?
A 12-seater van 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.
12-seater vans and minibuses 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.
Please be very careful! If you get a fine in one of our vehicles, we won’t be able to pay the fee ourselves. In this case, we will email the bill to you and charge a $55 admin fee. Ultimately, it’s best for all of us if you adhere to local road rules, check your lanes and make your journey as hassle-free as possible.
Can I remove seats in my 12-seater van?
Unfortunately, you are unable to remove the seats in our minivan rentals. However, if you need more space, some vehicles have collapsible back row seats. Just check with our friendly staff, and we’ll show you how to collapse the back seats.
Are 12-seater vans hard to drive?
If you are not familiar with driving a 12-seater van, it can feel a bit strange to drive. However, they are not too different from driving a standard car if you familiarise yourself ahead of time.
For instance, you should give yourself space for braking and maneuvering to account for the heavier load in a van. Also, remember that the blind spot is larger, so ensure you use the mirrors more than you would with a regular car.
