Australia car rental for UK travellers

Your licence (no IDP needed)

A full UK driving licence is accepted at pickup because it is issued in English, so you do not need an International Driving Permit. Bring the photocard licence itself, and remember that every driver must be named on the booking and present their own licence.

The good news: it feels like home

You drive on the left in right-hand-drive cars, roundabouts work the way you are used to, and the pedals and gears are laid out as at home. The things to adjust to are Australian, not British: longer distances between towns, wildlife near the road at dawn and dusk, and strong sun and heat. Distances and speed limits are in kilometres, not miles.

Distances and driving conditions

Australia is vast, so a drive that looks short on the map can take hours, and fuel stops can be far apart on country routes. Plan realistic days, carry water, take breaks to avoid fatigue on long stretches, and watch for kangaroos and livestock near dawn and dusk. Some outback roads are unsealed, and your rate shows where a car can and cannot go.

Money and payment

Prices are shown in GBP for convenience; your card is charged in Australian dollars and your bank converts at its own rate. You will need a credit card, or a Visa or Mastercard debit card, in the main driver's name; prepaid and virtual cards are not accepted, and there is no card fee on any accepted card. All prices include Australian tax (GST).

The deposit (bond) vs the excess

These are two different things. The deposit, or bond, is a hold placed on your card at pickup and released after you return the car: it is held, not charged. The excess is the most you would owe if the car is damaged or stolen, and it only applies if something happens; you can reduce it, often to zero, by choosing a higher cover tier at checkout. Both are shown on your booking before you pay.

Insurance and cover

Every rate includes damage and theft cover. What varies is the excess, and a higher cover tier lowers it, with the top tier typically bringing it to zero and adding windscreen and tyre cover. The cover and excess for your car are always shown before you book.

Automatic cars

Nearly all rental cars in Australia are automatic, so there is nothing to select; the cars you see are automatics. If you prefer a manual, the transmission is shown on every listing.

Age and drivers

The minimum age is usually 21, with some premium, electric and larger vehicles requiring 25. Drivers under 25 pay a young-driver surcharge, which is shown in the price. Every driver must be named on the booking and present a valid licence at pickup.

Mileage, fuel and tolls

Most rates include unlimited kilometres, though a few vehicle types and remote areas are limited, which is shown on your booking. Fuel is full-to-full: collect it full and return it full. Tolls are electronic with no cash booths, exist only around Sydney, Melbourne and South-East Queensland, and any tolls are billed to you after your trip.

One-way trips and road trips

One-way rentals between cities are common: pick up in one city and drop off in another, with any one-way fee quoted before you book. Australia's distances are big, so a one-way itinerary, such as Sydney to Melbourne or the Great Ocean Road, is often the best way to see it.

Common questions from UK travellers