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Car Hire

Car Hire Handbook

Everything you need to know about hiring a car in Australia — from comparing suppliers and booking to pick-up, driving tips, and returning your vehicle.

Whether you're visiting Australia for the first time or planning a local road trip, hiring a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. DriveNow compares rates from major car rental suppliers across the country so you can find the right vehicle at the best price.

This handbook covers every step of the car hire process — from choosing a vehicle and understanding insurance to picking up your car, driving safely, and returning it at the end of your trip.

Getting Started

If you're new to car hire in Australia, here's what to expect:

  1. Compare and book — use DriveNow to compare rates across suppliers for your dates and location. You'll book a vehicle category (e.g. "compact" or "SUV"), not a specific make or model.
  2. Check requirements — you'll need a valid driver's licence (international visitors need an International Driving Permit if your licence isn't in English), a credit card for the security bond, and to meet the supplier's age requirements.
  3. Understand your insurance — all rentals include basic insurance, but you'll want to understand your excess and reduction options before you collect the vehicle.
  4. Pick up and inspect — at the branch, you'll sign the rental agreement, provide your licence and credit card, and inspect the vehicle for existing damage before driving away.
  5. Drive and return — enjoy your trip, keep to the road restrictions in your rental agreement, and return the vehicle on time with the fuel level as required.

Our Suppliers

DriveNow compares car hire rates from the following suppliers across Australia:

Each supplier has different policies on age, excess, additional drivers, and included extras. Use the handbook sections below to understand the key differences.

Before You Book

Planning your trip? This section covers everything you need to sort out before making a booking — age requirements, driver's licence rules, vehicle types, and road restrictions.

Booking Your Vehicle

Ready to book? This section guides you through the booking process — what's included, what's extra, and how to understand your insurance and excess reduction options.

Managing Your Booking

Already booked? Find out how to manage changes, cancellations, and payments, and how to read your booking confirmation.

Picking Up Your Car

This section covers the pick-up process — airport collection, required documents, the security bond, and what to check during your vehicle inspection.

During Your Trip

On the road? Learn about toll roads, wildlife hazards, breakdowns, and refuelling.

Returning Your Car

Heading back? Find out what to expect for drop-off, late or early returns, and how to avoid unexpected charges.

Post-Rental Support

Have a question or feedback after your trip? This section covers how to get in touch for post-rental support.

Privacy and Security

Payment Security

At DriveNow, we take payment security seriously. We don't handle or store your card details. Instead, we use a Level 1 PCI DSS certified service provider who ensure that the handling and storage of your card details meet the highest industry standards.

Website Security

We use Cloudflare to provide our SSL certificate, ensuring secure and encrypted communication between your browser and our website.

Your Personal Information

We collect personal information such as your name, contact details, and how you use our site. This data helps us provide services and improve your experience. We may share your information with trusted third parties, including service providers and business partners, some of whom may be located outside Australia. Your information is always protected by strong security measures.

Your Rights

You control your personal information. You can access, correct, or limit how we use your data. If you have any concerns, please contact our Privacy Officer at privacy@drivenow.com.au, and we will address any issues quickly.

For more details, please read our Full Privacy Policy.