European Minibus hire for 9 days

NiCkNaMe · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:00

Hi guys,

8 of us are planning on going on holiday in the summer to west france for 8 days. We were originally planning on driving down in 3 seperate cars, getting the train over and then driving down to where we're going.

However, a mate may struggle in getting permission to use his car abroad... so we were considering hiring a minibus.

Now we're all under 21, im 20 in september but will only be 19 when we go. Think we're all 19 (the drivers are at least).

Will we have any chance in getting a company to hire one to us? Probably only need 2 of us driving, and it makes sense rather than taking 3 seperate cars and paying tunnel/petrol costs for em all.

Any advice would be appreciated, cheers.

Feek · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:02

If you're under 21, yes I think you will have problems.

K.

NiCkNaMe · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:03

Feek said:
If you're under 21, yes I think you will have problems.

K.

I know we'l have problems

Was just wondering if anyone knew of any company that would allow us to? We could get a guarantee (?) off someone who is over 21, but I guess that the insurance is the problem :s

KaHn · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:11

NiCkNaMe said:
I know we'l have problems Was just wondering if anyone knew of any company that would allow us to? We could get a guarantee (?) off someone who is over 21, but I guess that the insurance is the problem :s

Under 21 you will not get a hire car or mini van, for a start you need a mini van licence.

KaHn

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/drvmbus.htm

Oblivious · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:13

Whilst you only have 8 of you going, which is the legal limit that somebody under 21 can carry in a vehicle. You will have an impossible time getting a company to both insure you and give you the vehicle.

It is possible, but you would have to find someone willing to give you a minibus minus insurance. Local firms are mostly likely best, as the big boys (ERAC/Hertz/Budget etc.) will not even consider it unless you have a corporate account with them.

Even if you do find a local company willing to let you have a minibus it will be nearly impossible for you to insure it, and most likely quite expensive. I doubt very much a local firm would let a bunch of 19 year olds take a minibus out of the country anyway.. in anybodies mind it is a huge risk.

If you were hiring cars, yes it is doable. But a van/bus/minibus I don't think so. I would say forget it. Even if you did manage to arrange it, you will run into countless problems and spend nearly a grand.

Oblivious · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:13

KaHn said:
Under 21 you will not get a hire car or mini van, for a start you need a mini van licence.

KaHn

Only to carry over 8 passengers, which is not a problem here.

NiCkNaMe · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:15

Right OK, cool

Guess we'l just have to stick with the cars then

KaHn · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:15

Oblivious said:
Only to carry over 8 passengers, which is not a problem here.

Im not sure what the problem is any way, 3 cars = 15 people 2 cars = 8.

KaHn

NiCkNaMe · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:19

On a 1600 mile round trip?

You'd have to be CRAZY to have 5 in each car! We're talking 3 max. Especially since there will be a fair amount of luggage as well.

Oblivious · 9 Apr 2006 at 14:22

NiCkNaMe said:
On a 1600 mile round trip?

You'd have to be CRAZY to have 5 in each car! We're talking 3 max. Especially since there will be a fair amount of luggage as well.

8/2 = 4

1600 miles is nothing over 8 days too

1600/8 = 200

I can do 200 miles before breakfast.