RV Rental FAQs
Do you have questions about your booking? Are you uncertain about what you need to bring with you when you collect your camper van? Or would you like to know the steps to take in case of a breakdown on the road?
Here, you can find frequently asked questions from fellow roadsurfer customers:
Booking, Requirements & Account
You should rent from roadsurfer because every RV includes unlimited mileage, a free second driver, and essential camping gear.
- Basic camping equipment, camping chairs, and a bed are provided
- Roadside assistance is available 24/7
- Flexible booking and cancellation rules apply with the roadsurfer Flex Option
- See the most common questions about roadsurfer rental advantages
Our roadsurfer vehicles are technically inspected before every rental and ready for your adventure.
- All safety-relevant components and functions are regularly checked and meet applicable standards.
- All vehicles are rental vehicles that have already been in use, so they may show normal signs of wear, such as minor scratches or interior wear.
- If you have further questions, you’ll find helpful information in our Help Center, where you can also use our chatbot anytime.
You can book online through the roadsurfer website.
- Select your pick-up location, travel dates, and RV model
- Add extras such as equipment or insurance if needed
- Confirm your booking and pay in your customer account
- A confirmation email will be sent after payment
You can change or cancel your booking in your customer account until shortly before pick-up.
- With the Flex option:
Refund of the price difference when rebooking to a cheaper trip (≥14 days before departure; exception if shortening the trip <21 days before departure) and refund of the rental price if you cancel (≥21 days before departure). - Without the Flex option:
Refund of the price difference when rebooking to a cheaper trip (≥60 days before departure; exception if shortening the trip), but no refund of the rental price in case of cancellation. - The booking fee is non-refundable.
- The Travel Fee is always refunded in case of cancellation, provided the cancellation is made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled collection.
- For more information, see our frequently asked questions about cancellation and rebooking
You can manage payments and invoices anytime in your roadsurfer customer account.
- View your full payment history and download invoices
- Pay any outstanding balance with your preferred method
- See the most common questions about payment and billing
You can log in to your roadsurfer account to manage bookings, payments, and travel details.
- Sign in with your email and password
- Use the password reset option if needed
- See the most common questions about login and password
Each roadsurfer RV includes essential camping equipment.
- Outdoor table and chairs
- Leveling ramps, electrical cable, and water container
- Air conditioning (works mainly while driving) and a heater (works also when the engine is turned off)
- View the complete list of included equipment
You can add extra camping equipment through your roadsurfer customer account.
- Browse available extras and add them to your booking
- View and manage your added equipment under booking details
- See the most common questions about extra camping equipment
Who Can Drive?
You need a valid regular driver’s license to rent most roadsurfer RVs under 3.5 tons.
- Temporary or provisional licenses may be accepted with supporting documents
- International Driving Permit (IDP) requirements vary depending on your nationality and destination
- Additional license rules may apply for certain countries or older licenses
- Check the full driver’s license requirements before booking
The minimum rental age depends on the country. In most locations, you must be between 18 and 21 years old and hold a valid driver’s license (class 3 or B) with at least 1–2 years of driving experience.
- USA, Canada, and Ireland: Minimum age 21, with at least 1 year of licensed driving experience
- United Kingdom: Minimum age 21, with at least 2 years of licensed driving experience
- Europe (excluding Ireland and the UK): Minimum age 18, with at least 1 year of licensed driving experience
- See all requirements in our driver age and experience details
Preparation & Pick-Up
To pick up your RV, you must bring valid identification and a credit or debit card for the deposit.
- Valid driver’s license and passport or government-issued ID
- Original copies only (no photos or scans)
- A credit or debit card with available funds for the deposit
- See our RV pick-up requirements guide for more details
To pick up your RV, complete the online check-in before your trip and bring the required documents to the station.
- Enter driver details, confirm your station, and watch the camper tutorial in your customer account
- Bring original IDs and a credit or debit card for the deposit
- Complete the final checks and go through the most important camper functions
- The team verifies documents, reviews damages, and is there for open questions
- See the most common questions about pick-up and online check-in
The Camper Tutorial is an online guide available in your customer account that explains how to use your RV.
- Covers essentials like using the kitchen, setting up the bed, and operating key features
- Available anytime before, during, or after your trip
- See the most common questions about the Camper Tutorial
You pay a refundable security deposit at pick-up to cover potential damages or extra costs.
- The deposit amount depends on your pick-up location, booking date, and is always paid in the local currency by valid credit or debit card
- Deposit amounts vary by region and may differ for bookings made before or after pricing updates
- Your deposit status is tracked in your customer account and final release may take several business days or up to 30 days depending on inspection results
- See the most common questions about our RV rental security deposit
On the Road
You can drive your rental RV in other countries if you follow the approved cross-border travel rules.
- USA: Travel is allowed across the United States and Canada, but not to Mexico; some areas like Death Valley have restrictions
- Europe: Most EU and Schengen countries are allowed, including Monaco, while some non-EU destinations depend on insurance and pick-up location
- Border-crossing requirements, insurance coverage, and permitted countries may vary depending on your route
- See the most common questions about cross-border travel rules
An emissions sticker is required in many European cities to show your vehicle meets environmental standards.
- Many cities and low-emission zones require emissions stickers, registrations, or environmental permits for entry
- Your roadsurfer RV includes a German green Euro 6 emissions sticker accepted in most European countries
- Local low-emission zone rules, tolls, and city-specific restrictions can still vary depending on your route
- Review the full environmental sticker and travel regulations for each destination before your trip
You can find all RV instructions and how-to guides in your roadsurfer customer account or on the instructions page.
- Available before, during, and after your trip
- View all instructions for using your RV
You’ll find the fastest help in our Help Center. There you’ll find answers to the most common questions and can use our chatbot anytime.
- Find the right answer in our Help Center
- Ask our chatbot for a quick solution
- Your personal support phone number can be found in your roadsurfer account under “Help on the Road” once your trip has started.
If you have an accident or breakdown, move to a safe place, check everyone’s condition, and contact roadside assistance or emergency services.
- Document the situation with photos and complete any required accident forms
- Send the details to roadsurfer via the contact form as instructed
- See the most common questions about accident and breakdown assistance
Returning Your RV
To return your RV, complete the digital return checklist in your customer account before drop-off and follow the required return steps.
- Your personalized return checklist opens two days before drop-off and covers cleaning, tank emptying, fluid refills, and station preparation
- Remove heavy dirt from the windshield and bumper, empty tanks, and refill required fuel and fluids before your return
- On return day, complete digital check-in through your customer account before handing over your keys
- Your return includes an initial check, followed by a detailed inspection and deposit or damage processing if necessary
- Final return results, deposit updates, or damage invoices will be communicated through your customer account
- See the most common questions about the RV return process
You can empty RV waste tanks at disposal stations located near all roadsurfer stations in North America.
- Options are available in major cities across the U.S. and Canada
- See the full list with addresses in our waste disposal station information for North America
You can refuel your RV at nearby fuel stops before returning it in North America and Europe.
- Refueling locations are conveniently located close to each drop-off point
- See the full list of refueling station locations with addresses
You can submit an invoice for reimbursement through the Claims Portal in your roadsurfer customer account.
- Upload your receipt, provide your bank details, and follow the prompts in the “Submit a claim” section
- Claims can be made during your trip or within 7 days after it ends, and refunds are typically processed within 8 weeks of approval
- See the most common questions about expense reimbursement
You can check the status of your security deposit anytime in your roadsurfer customer account overview.
- Your deposit status is updated throughout the return, inspection, and release process
- After pick-up, you can track your deposit status in your account at any time
- If damage is identified, status updates may continue during review, invoicing, or final release processing
- Depending on the inspection outcome, final deposit release may take several business days or up to 30 days
- See the most common questions about security deposits
After you return the vehicle, we’ll inspect any damage and keep you informed transparently about next steps.
- Our damage team typically evaluates the case within 14 business days.
- If costs arise that aren’t covered by your insurance package, you’ll receive an invoice along with documentation.
- Your deposit remains held until the inspection is complete, and is then released or offset against the costs incurred.
- More details can be found in our FAQs on vehicle damage.