Frequently Asked Questions

A current and full motor vehicle driver's licence is required to be shown at pick-up and the driver needs to be present. If the driver's licence is not in English then we require an accredited English translation or an International Driver's Permit, along with your physical driver’s licence. We must sight both at pick-up, otherwise we cannot release the vehicle.

Mighty Campers (Highball and Double Down), Cheapa Campa (Hitop and Endeavour) and Hippie (Hitop and Endeavour) drivers must be 18 years of age or over with a full driver's licence.

For all other RV types drivers must be 21 years of age or over with a full driver's licence and the licence must be valid for the entire booking duration.

Yes. Child seats and booster seats can be fitted to some of our campers, and they can only be fitted to the forward-facing seats in the rear (behind the driver). Child restraints must be pre-booked (even if you have purchased the Value Pack). Child or booster seats are not permitted on the front passenger seat or the rear-facing seats of any vehicle.

All children aged seven years and under must travel in an approved child restraint. The type of restraint required for your child depends on their age and size. Guests must refer to the child restraint instruction guide linked below for the appropriate child restraint.

For travel from 01 April 2025

All child restraints must comply with current Australia/New Zealand Standards (AS/NZS 1754). It is the responsibility of the guest to fit the seat in the vehicle at pick-up.

Yes. Child seats and booster seats can be fitted to some of our campers and they can only be fitted to the forward-facing seats in the rear (behind the driver). Child and booster seats cannot be fitted to the front passenger seat or rear-facing vehicle seat in any of our vehicles. Child restraints must be pre-booked (even if you have purchased the Value Pack).  

All children aged seven years and under must travel in an approved child restraint. The type of restraint required for your child depends on their age and size. Guests must refer to the child restraint instruction guide linked below for the appropriate child restraint.

For travel from 01 April 2025

Child and booster seats used in New Zealand must comply with the Australia/New Zealand standard (AS/NZS 1754), the American standard FMVSS 213 that also shows the New Zealand Standard ‘S’ mark or the European standard ECE 44 or ECE 129 shown by “E”. It is the responsibility of the guest to fit the seat in the vehicle at pick-up.

Yes, however the child or booster seat must have one of the following approved standards:

• An Australia/New Zealand Standard, European Standard or American Standard restraint that complies with New Zealand law is acceptable to use in New Zealand. It must display one of the following, approved marks: 
• the joint Australia/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 1754 
• the American standard FMVSS 213. The restraint must also show the New Zealand Standard ‘S’ mark. 
• the European standard ECE 44 or ECE 129 shown by “E” followed by a number depicting the European country.

You can, however by law all child restraints must comply with current Australian/New Zealand Standards and must be labelled with an Australian Standards sticker for the standard AS/NZS 1754.

No other child restraints are acceptable for use in Australia. Child and booster seats brought from overseas do not comply with the Australia/New Zealand standard and it is illegal to use them in Australia.

Not all RVs are suitable for all driving situations, so it’s important the right RV is chosen for the travel planned. thl, at its discretion, may restrict RV travel in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions, and the distance to nominated destinations in relation to the length of the rental period. If applicable, any further restrictions will be mentioned at pick-up. Guests are encouraged to contact On-Road Assist on 0800 788 558 or + 64 9 801 3857  if they have any concerns regarding road accessibility.

For the safety of guests, the following travel restrictions are in place:

• All RVs can only be driven on sealed/bitumen roads. The only exception to this is well-maintained access roads less than 12 kilometres long which lead to recognised commercial campgrounds and major tourist attraction or loose road surface on any major ski field access roads or any recognised campground access road less than 12 kilometres in length.
• No RV shall be driven on: 
  • All ski field access roads from 01 June to 31 October
  • Skippers Road (Queenstown)
  • The Crown Range Road/Cardrona Valley Road
  • Ninety Mile Beach (Northland)
  • Wanaka – Mt Aspiring Road beyond exit to Treble Cone
  • Ball Hut Road (Mt. Cook) and 
  • North of Colville and Waikawau Township (Coromandel Peninsula).

Guests who travel to restricted areas without permission may void the liability option in the event of damage or accident.

Not all campers are suitable for all driving situations, so it’s important the right camper is chosen for the travel planned. At its discretion, thl may restrict travel in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions, and the distance to nominated destinations in relation to the length of the rental period. If applicable, any further restrictions will be mentioned at pick-up. Guests are encouraged to contact On-Road Assist on 1800 849 859 or +61 2 6698 4049 if they have any concerns regarding road accessibility. 

Guests who travel to restricted areas without permission may void the liability option in the event of damage or accident.

Our 2WD campers aren’t equipped for rough terrain and cannot be driven on unsealed roads, with exception of well-maintained access roads less than 12 kilometres long which lead to recognised commercial campgrounds and major tourist attractions. 2WD campers can be driven to any island on sealed roads provided permission is obtained from On-Road Assist at pick-up. 

2WD Travel Restrictions:

Not all campers are suitable for all driving situations, so it’s important the right camper is chosen for the travel planned. At its discretion, thl may restrict travel in certain areas due to adverse road or weather conditions, and the distance to nominated destinations in relation to the length of the rental period. If applicable, any further restrictions will be mentioned at pick-up. Guests are encouraged to contact On-Road Assist on 1800 849 859 or +61 2 6698 4049 if they have any concerns regarding road accessibility. 

Our 4WD RVs are ready to take adventurous travellers off the beaten track, however for their safety, there are restricted travel areas. For restricted destinations listed below, guests are required to nominate expected travel plans with the branch at pick-up and confirm with relevant local authorities that roads are passable prior to travel. 

4WD Travel Restrictions:

*Guests travelling to these locations are strongly advised to hire a satellite phone for safety purposes 

Guests who travel to restricted areas without permission may void the liability option in the event of damage or accident

We greatly value your safety and patronage. For this reason we want to ensure all customers renting a 4WD are fully aware of key safety considerations.

The following points are vital to your safety:

• Always drive within your capability
• Do not make travel times and distances too excessive
• Do not drive at night
• Adjust gear range and tyre pressure to suit conditions
• Observe safety information stickers in vehicle
• If you are tired, take a break
• Be aware of changing road conditions and road closures
• Stay on the tracks and report remote travel plans to an official or the nearest police station
• EPIRB/PLB should be carried with you when leaving the vehicle
• It’s advisable to carry 3–4lt of drinking water per person per day
• Carrying a satellite phone is strongly advised (available for hire from the branch)

We specifically remind you of your responsibilities under the Exclusions clause of your Rental Agreement, this clause informs you when (irrespective of liability option taken) you will NOT be covered.

We value your wellbeing, and for safety purposes, we reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to restrict vehicle movements in certain areas due to:

• adverse road or weather conditions; 
• the distance to nominated destinations in relation to the length of the hire period; and 
• any concerns we, our employees or agents may have regarding driver experience or ability. 

We will advise you on pick-up of any travel restrictions known at that time. 

You must drive within the posted speed limits and to the conditions. The maximum speed limit in Australia is 110km. Vehicles must not exceed this speed limit.

In New Zealand, the maximum speed limit for our campers is either 90km/h or 100km/h depending on the model hired. There is a sticker on the windscreen advising the maximum speed allowed. Vehicles must not exceed this speed limit.

Unfortunately most portable cots do not fit in our vehicles. We recommend children sleep in the lower dinette-converted beds. Our vehicles are not fitted with child safety barriers for top bunk / overhead beds.

Drivers must be 21 years of age or over. However, if the rented vehicle is a Mighty Highball, Mighty Double Down, Cheapa Hitop, Cheapa Endeavour, Hippie Hitop or Hippie Endeavour, then drivers must be 18 years of age or over with a full and current driver's licence.

There is no maximum age as long as you have a valid driver's licence.

Most portable cots do not fit in our vehicle. We recommend children sleep in the lower dinette-converted beds. Our vehicles are not fitted with child safety barriers for top bunk / overhead beds.

The maximum speed you can drive with snow chains on is 20km/hr.

After driving 50 metres you will need to check your snow chains are still fitted correctly.  If the snow chains are ok, continue to drive at a maximum of 20km/hr.  If they are not ok, re-adjust the snow chains or contact On-Road Assist on 0800 788 558 or +64 9 801 3857.

You should not use your snow chains on any sealed or gravel roads that are not covered in snow or ice. As soon as there is no snow on the road, the snow chains must be removed to prevent damaging the tyre.

Please call the 0800 number provided on your key ring and our friendly on road team will assist you. Alternatively there are videos in the thl Roadtrip App on how to fit Quick Fit Chains and how to fit Ladder Chains.

Damage costs start from NZ$150 for the replacement of damaged snow chains and NZ$600 per damaged wheel arch.

Snow Chains are available for hire for an additional fee. If you purchase the Value Pack for maui, Apollo, Britz, Mighty, Cheapa Campa or Hippie, they are included in your hire and will be stored in the external storage locker.

You can call 0800 4 Highways (0800 444449) or check online at www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic