Helpful car hire tips
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Booking your hire car- Plan ahead – try to book your car hire as far ahead as you can, to beat the rising prices during the holiday periods and ensure availability.
- Avoid airport fees – renting a car directly from the airport often comes with additional fees such as airport surcharges, drop off fees or taxes, so it’s a good idea to pick up your car up from a suburban location.
- Read the terms and conditions – always read the car hire company’s terms and conditions carefully prior to making a booking.
- Pick the right car size – make sure that your hire car is the right size for you and all of your luggage, so that you and your family have a comfortable experience during your trip.
- Check for restrictions on where you can take the car – be aware of mileage limitations on certain vehicle types, locations and states where the vehicle is not permitted and off road driving limitations.
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Picking up your hire car- Car type not what you ordered? – wherever possible, the car hire company will provide you with the advertised size and model of the car you wish to rent; if it’s not available, they should provide you with a similar sized product.
- Petrol – read the guidelines around pre-paid fuel offers, and always fill the tank before returning the vehicle (be aware that petrol stations near airports often charge higher rates. You can find cheap fuel prices at RACQ Fair Fuel Prices). You should check mileage before you leave the car hire company.
- Excess – have a clear understanding of the excess terms and conditions prior to driving away.
- Insurance – check exactly what the standard insurance covers. For example, rental car insurance often doesn’t cover damage to the wheels, tyres, overhead or undercarriage of the vehicle; and may not cover you for off-road driving. Check if RACQ's travel insurance provides any insurance for car hire. Many travel insurance policies will cover third party liability claims and theft so make sure you don’t pay for this twice.
- Extras – check your paperwork to make sure all the extras you need for your trip are covered.
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Safe driving checklist- In Australia, take your driver’s licence, insurance certificate (if purchased through an independent insurer) and the vehicle registration documents with you.
- Plan your route in advance – the RACQ Trip Planner is a great tool for domestic trips.
- Do the essential checks on oil, tyres, petrol, battery and water before you leave (these are the most common causes of breakdown).
- Check you have a spare wheel, jack, first-aid kit etc.
- If you are driving internationally, carry your Australian drivers licence and international driver’s permit (IDP) at all times. Research the road rules carefully. You can get your IDP here.
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Returning the hire car- Be on time – rental companies charge extra for late returns. Call if you are running late to explain your situation.
- Get proof of the car condition – take the time to double check for any marks or scratches along all panels, the wheels, the mileage counter and fuel gauge and make sure they are noted on the rental agreement. You could even take photos of the car.
- Handing the keys back – check the original agreement to ensure no additional charges have been added on accidentally and make sure you receive a copy of the paperwork stating the vehicle has been returned successfully.
- Returning after business hours – make sure the keys are securely placed in the locked key box.
- Keep the paperwork – lastly, keep a copy of the paperwork. The rental company will check the car over carefully for any damages after you return it. Check your credit card statement a few days later (and a few subsequent statements) to make sure promised fuel payments or excess charges are returned.