12 Passenger Van Rental
The Ideal Balance, Spacious Yet Maneuverable
A 12-passenger van offers an ideal balance for group transportation. It provides generous seating and cargo space for your whole crew, without being unwieldy on the road. Many renters find that this size van is surprisingly easy to drive, even if it’s their first time behind the wheel of a large vehicle. You can navigate through city streets, suburban roads, and highway traffic with confidence. Parking a 12-seater van is also manageable, it fits in most regular parking spots (just look for ones you can pull through or back into for easier exit). In essence, you’re getting van-level capacity with SUV-like maneuverability. This makes the 12-passenger van a top choice for those who want room to spread out but don’t want the added length and weight of the biggest vans. It’s a vehicle that can do it all: ferry the team to the game, take the extended family on vacation, or shuttle coworkers to a conference, all with ease and comfort.
Perfect for Mid-Sized Groups & Family Trips
If you have a mid-sized group, think a dozen friends on a getaway or three generations of family on a trip, a 12-passenger van is perfect. It keeps everyone together, which means you start making memories from the moment you leave together. For family trips, it’s wonderful: grandparents can watch the grandkids sing along to songs in the back; parents can relax knowing all the luggage is in one place; and no one has to drive separately. Mid-sized church groups, school clubs, or corporate teams also benefit, it simplifies coordination and fosters team bonding. Compared to renting multiple cars, one 12-passenger van often saves money on fuel and rental costs. Plus, it simplifies logistics like tolls and parking fees (one vehicle instead of many). Whether it’s a wine tasting tour with friends or a road trip to a reunion, choosing a 12-passenger van means choosing togetherness, convenience, and cost-effectiveness for your group.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 12-passenger van can seat up to 12 people (11 passengers plus the driver). Most have three rows of bench seats behind the front seats (for a total of four rows of seating including the front). This configuration is great for mid-sized groups, for example, two families traveling together or a smaller sports team. You’ll still have plenty of shoulder room and legroom, as these vans are built on full-size van chassis.
Full-size passenger vans (both 12 and 15 seaters) are not known for great fuel economy due to their size and powerful engines. On average, a 12-passenger van might get around 12-15 MPG in the city and a bit more on the highway (perhaps 15-17 MPG), depending on the model and how loaded it is. The 12-passenger models could be slightly more fuel-efficient than the 15-passenger ones because they weigh a bit less, but the difference isn’t huge. Driving habits, like maintaining steady speeds and avoiding rapid acceleration, can help maximize MPG on your trip.
One big advantage of a 12-passenger van is the extra cargo space. With all seats occupied, you typically get the back area (behind the last row) for storage, usually enough for 5-7 medium suitcases (Enterprise, for example, notes 7 bags for their 12-seater model). If you have fewer than 12 people, you can also place luggage on empty seats or the floor. Additionally, many 12-passenger vans come with removable or foldable rear seats, so if you need more cargo room, you can adjust the seating. This flexibility makes the 12-pass van a great choice if you have a lot of gear (like musical instruments, sports equipment, or camping supplies) along with passengers.
A standard (non-commercial) driver’s license is all you need to rent and drive a 12-passenger van. No special CDL is required. However, most rental companies, including us, set a minimum age requirement for large van rentals. Typically, drivers must be 25 or older to rent a 12-passenger van. This policy is for insurance and safety reasons. If you’re under 25, you might need an older co-driver to be the primary renter, but different rental companies have different terms, so always check their polices on checout!