Australia goes big. It always has. The Big Banana, The Big Prawn, The Giant Koala… and that’s even before you get to the great landscapes, coastlines and drives that take your breath away.
Getting behind the wheel of a hire car is how Australians have always done it best. Whether you’re an international visitor navigating Australian roads for the first time, friends planning a road trip or someone who just wants to know what all the excess chat is actually about, this guide is for you.
TL;DR
- You need to be at least 21 with a valid full licence to hire a car in Australia.
- If your licence isn’t in English, you’ll need an International Driving Permit.
- Book early! Good vehicles at good prices disappear fast during school holidays and summer.
- No hire car company in Australia sells insurance. Instead, they offer Excess Reduction, and there’s an important difference.
1. Check the requirements before you book
Don’t get too excited about the road ahead. Check that you are actually eligible to rent a car in Australia. Here’s what you need to know:
Are there any licence restrictions?
You’ll need a valid full driver’s licence to drive a car. International drivers will also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a certified English translation.
The IDP is a translation only. It must be presented alongside your original licence at all times.
How old do I need to be to hire a car?
With us, the minimum age to hire is 21 years old, but you’ll still need to have a full licence. Unlike other rental companies, Bargain Car Rentals does not charge a young driver surcharge.
2. Choose the right vehicle for the trip
Australia is enormous. In fact, the UK can fit into Australia 32 times.
The drive from Sydney to Melbourne is 9 hours, while the drive from Darwin to Alice Springs is 15 hours. Picking the wrong car for the wrong trip is something that is definitely worth thinking about before you book.
Ask yourself these four questions:
- Where am I actually driving?
City streets, long stretches of highway or somewhere more remote?
- How many people are coming?
The difference between a compact and a 7-seater matters if you’re travelling with your whole family on a road trip. Trust us.
- How much stuff do we have?
Prams, beach gear, biking gear and your copious amounts of Pinot need to go somewhere.
- How long are the drives?
Comfort matters a lot more when you’re covering serious ground.
At Bargain Car Rentals, we’ve got a car for (almost!) every type of trip. Explore compacts and family SUVS, all the way to luxury cars and commercial vehicles too… and all available from major Australian airports:
| Trip type | What we recommend |
| City driving and short trips | Compact or economy car |
| Family road trip | Standard or large SUV |
| Group travel | 7-seater SUV or minibus |
| Extended regional driving | SUV with generous boot |
| Business travel | Sedan or luxury vehicle |
Compare all our cars available to rent to find the right one for you.
3. Book early for the best price
When should you book car hire? The earlier the better. Like many places across the world, Australia’s most popular hire car destinations across Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Cairns), NSW (Sydney), WA (Perth), Tasmania (Hobart, Launceston) and Victoria (Melbourne) see demand spike over popular times.
Book well ahead if you’re travelling during:
- Summer school holidays (December to January)
- Easter holidays
- State school holiday periods
- Major events including major festivals/ music events, long weekends and large sporting events
Make sure to book direct with Bargain Car Rentals. You’ll get the best available rate and more flexibility to modify your booking with the team if plans change.
4. Understand excess reduction before you get to the counter
No hire car company in Australia sells insurance. Every operator, Bargain Car Rentals included, offers Excess Reduction instead. It is a contractual liability reduction under the rental agreement.
Your standard rental includes Limited Protection, which caps your financial liability if the vehicle is damaged. At Bargain Car Rentals, that is $5,000 for standard vehicles.
Optional Excess Reduction products lower that cap:
| Protection level | Daily cost | Damage excess payable |
| Limited Protection | Included | $5,000 |
| Gold Protection | $34.99 per day | $2,500 |
| Platinum Protection | $44.99 per day | $0 |
Is there anything to consider with excess reduction?
- Some damage can still fall outside of coverage
Some damage types, including animal strikes, hail, storm damage and underbody damage, can fall outside standard coverage entirely, with no excess cap applied.
- Vehicle Off Road fees can still apply
Vehicle Off Road (VOR) fees and administration fees may apply on top of repair costs.
- Third-party travel insurance works on a reimbursement model
Third-party travel insurance and credit card cover operate on a reimbursement model. That is, if you get into an accident, you pay Bargain Car Rentals first and claim back later.
Your rental agreement is always between you and us, not your insurer.
We’re always here to talk through your options during pick up. No question is too small, and we just want you to have all the information before making a decision.
5. Plan ahead with optional extras
A few add-ons worth considering before you finalise your booking:
Additional drivers
Anyone who plans to drive must be listed on the rental agreement and present their own valid licence at pickup. Our passenger vehicles come with one free additional driver so you and a mate can share the driving duty.
Child seats and boosters
Child seats and booster seats are available to add at booking but need to be booked early… especially during school holidays.
Bike racks
Planning a cycling adventure? Some locations have bike racks as an optional add-on for your hire car, ideal for road cyclists, mountain bikers and families who want to explore Australia’s best trails.
Roadside assistance
24/7 roadside assistance is available and strongly recommended for longer trips, regional driving and anyone heading into the Northern Territory or remote Western Australia.
6. Know the rules of the road before you drive
There are a few things worth knowing before you hit the open road… especially for international visitors who are doing this for the first time.
The essentials:
- Aussies drive on the left – This is probably the biggest adjustment for most international visitors.
- Seat belts are mandatory for every passenger — Fines apply if anyone isn’t wearing one
- Speed limits vary by state and road type
- Mobile phones cannot be held while driving — hands-free only
- Blood alcohol limit is 0.05% BAC for fully licensed drivers
- Wildlife at dawn and dusk — slow down in rural areas, particularly in Queensland, the NT and WA.
7. Plan for tolls and parking
Tolls
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane all use electronic tolling. Bargain Car Rentals vehicles use number plate recognition to detect toll usage linked to your reservation. Each toll is charged at face value plus a $5.00 service fee.
Do not register our vehicle under your personal Linkt account because this can result in double billing. If you want to pay for your own toll usage, you can also use your own E-Tag registered to you.
Parking
City parking can be tight and expensive, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. Make sure to look out for council car parks and pay attention to signs if you’re using public parking.
8. Returning your hire car
Almost there. A smooth return avoids any unnecessary charges and get you on your way to your next destination.
Fuel
The vehicle should be returned with a full tank of fuel as specified on the agreement from pick-up. Refuelling charges apply if the vehicle is not returned with a full tank of fuel.
If you have chosen to buy the Fuel Purchase Option, you can return the vehicle with any level of fuel and you will not be charged any extra for fuel. There is no refund for unused fuel.
Condition
Make sure the vehicle is returned in the same condition as you received it, clean and undamaged.
9. Get inspired!
Australia’s most iconic drives are genuinely worth planning around:
- Great Ocean Road (Victoria)
- Perth to Esperance (Western Australia)
- Adelaide’s Wine Regions (South Australia)
- Cairns to Cape Tribulation (Far North Queensland)
- Darwin to Kakadu (Northern Territory)
Book today with Bargain Car Rentals
With the right hire car, you’ll be on your way to finding out every piece of greatness across Australia.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Australia?
You’ll need a credit or debit card in the primary driver’s name at pickup for the security deposit. The deposit is held as a pre-authorisation and released once the car is returned undamaged.
Can I hire a car without a credit card?
Yes. If you don’t have a credit card, you can use a debit card in the primary driver’s name for the security deposit.
What is the minimum age to hire a car in Australia?
You need to be at least 21 and hold a valid full licence. Bargain Car Rentals doesn’t charge a young driver surcharge for eligible drivers aged 21 to 24.
Is it cheaper to book a hire car in advance in Australia?
Yes, almost always. Booking two to four weeks ahead usually gets you the best rate and the widest choice of vehicles.
Can I take a hire car interstate in Australia?
Yes, most standard hire cars can go interstate. We also offer one-way hire between states and cities at select locations. Check with our team when you book to confirm availability and any one-way fees.
What do I do if the car breaks down?
Call our 24/7 roadside assistance line straight away. Don’t arrange repairs yourself. All work must be approved by Bargain Car Rentals first.
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