Which driver’s license do I need to rent a minivan or minibus?

When renting a vehicle with Swiss Rent a Car, the required license category depends on the size of the vehicle. Below you’ll find out whether a Category B or D1/D license is required.

Category B – for cars, vans & minivans

The Category B license is the most common driving license in Switzerland and allows you to drive vehicles with a total weight of up to 3.5 tons. With it, you can easily rent the following vehicles from Swiss Rent a Car:

🚗 Cars of all types (e.g., B-Class, Hyundai Tucson)
🚐 Minivans up to 9 seats (e.g., Mercedes V-Class, Hyundai Staria)
🚚 Vans up to 3.5 t (e.g., Renault Master, Citroën Jumpy)

Requirement: You must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Swiss or international driver’s license.

Category D1 / D – for larger minibuses

For vehicles with more than 9 seats (including the driver), a Category D1 or D license is required. These licenses apply to:

🚌 Minibuses with 10–16 seats (e.g., Mercedes Sprinter)
🚍 Vehicles with more than 16 seats → Category D

Additionally, a medical fitness test and a specific passenger transport driving test are required.

Please bring your valid driver’s license when collecting your vehicle. For more information, visit the official website of the Swiss Road Traffic Offices.

Want to rent a suitable minivan?
➜ Visit our page Rent a Minivan in Zurich or check out our Minibus offers.