Get the whole crew to Sea World without having to rent 3 different cars. Redspot’s 12 seater van hire on the Gold Coast is a fantastic way to explore sunny Queensland without having to separate your group.
Our 12-seater vans have a GVM just under the legal threshold of 4.5 tonnes, so you don’t need any special licences or qualifications to drive. Our vans also all have a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and automatic transmission for an easier drive.
With over 35 years of experience in the Australian rental car industry and 24/7 roadside assistance included in each of our cars, Redspot is your reliable partner for an awesome Gold Coast trip.
Returning your 12 seater van
Head to our Gold Coast Airport branch and park in our designated parking area to return your vehicle. Then 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 hired 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 travel on the Gold Coast
Get into the summer vibes with a Redspot 12 seater rental. You can keep the good times rolling by keeping your whole group together, letting you split the bill on hiring fees and petrol costs.
Our 12 seater rental vans are also rated 5 stars by the ANCAP board, ensuring you and your friends make it to your destination safe and sound.
Beach travel
We all know why you’re on the Gold Coast! Redspot’s 12 seater van hires are made to hit the spot for holiday makers. Pack up your roof rack with all your surfboards, stick your sunscreen and sand castle building kit in the back and get Red-y to roll across the stunning coastline as one big happy family.
Group events
From Dracula’s Cabaret to Dreamworld and Warner Bro. Movie World, there’s plenty of amazing activities to experience across the Gold Coast. Our 12 seater van hire can help you kickstart an amazing adventure without having to split up your group.
With just one vehicle, you can cut down on rental and fuel expenses. So you can save your hard-earned cash for more tickets or an ice-cold frozen drink.
Wedding parties
Planning a wedding is already stressful enough, why not reduce your transportation woes with a 12-seater rental van? Help your closest friends and family reach you on your special day without needing to navigate public transport.
Please be sure to have a designated driver set for the evening. That way, the rest of you can enjoy a fun-filled night without worrying about the return trip.
Christmas parties
Get the whole office to the end-of-year Christmas party, no matter where it is, with our 12-seater van hire. Plan any kind of event without stressing about the location. From wine tastings to paintball, your staff can participate in any events as a group and return home together in one piece. Just pick a driver and enjoy!
Corporate Minibus hire
Ensure your staff don’t miss a single conference presentation with a corporate 12 seater hired van. Our vehicles have automatic transmission for easier driving and a spacious, air-conditioned interior with plenty of luggage room for merchandise and other items. We’ll help you keep your team looking cool before they’ve even arrived at your event.
Looking to get moving ASAP? As a member of Redspot’s Business Club, you can streamline your hiring process so you and your staff can pick up a van in less than 15 seconds.
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 the Gold Coast
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.
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.
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
Look up the path you are taking ahead of time to reduce stress and avoid height restrictions on the road.
Understand insurance options
With so much to think about in larger vehicles, liability should not be one of them. Give yourself peace of mind with a Redspot all-inclusive package.
Where to hire a 12-seater van
Whether you’re planning a wild coastal adventure or heading to a nearby wedding venue, our 12 seater van hire is sure to hit the spot. Our vehicles are well-maintained, spacious, and easy to drive.
Gold Coast Airport
Our Gold Coast Airport counter can be found right inside the Main Arrivals Terminal. So you can jumpstart an adventure with your whole group as soon as you’ve touched down.
When you’re ready to drop off, just follow the signs to our designated Redspot parking bay. There should be a member of our team there to greet you. If no one is there, just head to our kiosk and drop off there.
If you need an after-hours pickup, just give us a call on 07 3860 4272 or email us at goldcoast.airport@redspot.com.au.
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.
Surfers Paradise
Our Surfers Paradise office is right in the heart of the action, just a short stroll from the beach and surrounded by all the good stuff the Coast is known for. Swing by, grab the keys, and you’ll be cruising through Surfers in minutes.
When it’s time to drop off your vehicle, simply pull into the designated Redspot bay at our Surfers location. One of our team members will usually be on hand to meet you, but if we’re momentarily helping another customer, just pop inside the office and we’ll sort you out straight away.
Need to organise an after-hours pickup? Give us a buzz on 07 5616 8495 or email surfers.paradise@redspot.com.au and we’ll line it up for you.
12 seater van Gold Coast 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 on the Gold Coast?
Yes, you cannot drive a 12 seater van in the Gold Coast in the following areas:
- 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.
