Car rental glossary
The words you'll meet when you rent a car, in plain English. Each one links to the page that explains more.
Cover and money · Booking · Pickup and return · Driving in Australia · Electric and hybrid
Cover and money
Deductible (excess)
The most you'd pay toward damage to the car or its theft. Called a deductible in the US and Canada and an excess in Australia, the UK and most other places. Every rate shows it before you book, and zero cover brings it to $0. Read more →
Zero deductible
A higher cover tier that brings the deductible to zero, so you'd pay nothing toward covered damage or theft. You can choose it at checkout. Read more →
Standard cover
The damage and theft cover included with every rate. It comes with a deductible; the amount is shown before you book. Read more →
Damage and theft cover
The rental company's own cover for damage to the car or its theft. It comes with the rental; it isn't travel or personal insurance. Read more →
Security deposit (bond)
An amount held on a credit card in the main driver's name at pickup and released after you return the car. It's held, not charged, and it's separate from the deductible. Read more →
Est.
Short for estimated. Amounts paid at the rental desk are set in the local currency, so we show them in your currency as est. Read more →
GST
Australia's goods and services tax. It's included in the price you see. Read more →
Booking
“Or similar”
Most rental cars are booked as a class, not a model: you get the car shown or one of the same size and type. Each listing says which. Read more →
Exact model
Some cars are booked as the exact model, such as the Kia EV6, Tesla Model 3 or Suzuki Jimny. The listing says when you get that exact model. Read more →
ACRISS code
The four-letter code rental companies use for a car class: size, body, transmission and fuel or air-conditioning. ECAR, for example, is an economy car with 4 doors, automatic and air-conditioned. Read more →
One-way fee
A charge some routes carry when you return the car in a different city. If it applies, it's shown on your booking before you pay. Read more →
Young-driver fee
A daily fee for drivers aged 21 to 24, paid at the rental desk at pickup. Some cars need a driver aged 25 or over. Read more →
Additional driver
Anyone else who'll drive. Add them when you book; they bring their own license at pickup. Read more →
Minimum notice
How far ahead you need to book. We take bookings at least 48 hours before pickup, and the search shows the first time you can book. Read more →
Change fee
No change fees from us. Your updated trip is priced at the current rate. Changes within 7 days of pickup follow the rental company's terms. Read more →
Free cancellation
Cancel for free up to 7 days before pickup. Closer to pickup, the cancellation terms on your booking apply. Read more →
Rental voucher
The confirmation you get by email right after booking. It has the rental company, the pickup address and the desk hours. Read more →
Pickup and return
Full to full
The fuel policy on our cars: you pick the car up with a full tank and bring it back full, so you only pay for the fuel you use. Read more →
Unlimited kilometers
No daily distance limit. Nearly every car has it; the few exceptions show their allowance on the rate before you book. Read more →
Desk hours
The opening hours of the pickup desk. They're shown once you pick a location and again at checkout. Read more →
Shuttle depot
A pickup desk near, not in, the airport terminal, reached by a shuttle. Your booking says where to go. Read more →
International Driving Permit (IDP)
A translation of your license, issued in your home country. You usually don't need one if your license is in English. Read more →
Child restraint
Australia's word for a child car seat. You can add one when you book. Read more →
Driving in Australia
Driving on the left
Australians drive on the left, with the steering wheel on the right. Read more →
E-tag (toll tag)
Most Australian toll roads are cashless. The rental car is tagged or billed by its plate, and the rental company passes the tolls on after your trip. Read more →
Infringement fee
A traffic or parking fine. It goes to the rental company, which usually passes it on with an admin fee. Read more →
Sealed road
A paved road. Our rental cars are for sealed roads only: unsealed roads, beaches and off-road driving aren’t permitted. Your rental terms say exactly where you can drive. Read more →
Ute
Australian for a pickup truck, such as a Toyota HiLux or Mazda BT-50. Read more →
People mover
Australian for a minivan, such as the Kia Carnival. Read more →
4WD and AWD
Four-wheel drive (4WD) can be switched to drive all four wheels for rough tracks; all-wheel drive (AWD) does it automatically and suits wet or gravel roads. Read more →
Servo
Australian for a gas station. Read more →
Hook turn
A right turn made from the left lane, used at signed intersections in central Melbourne where trams run. Read more →
Roo
Short for kangaroo. Take extra care at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is most active near roads. Read more →
Electric and hybrid
Hybrid
A car with a gas engine and a battery that charges itself as you drive. You refuel it like any car; no plugging in. Read more →
EV (electric vehicle)
A battery-only car. It's supplied with at least 80% charge and should come back with at least 20%. Read more →