Get Car Hire Australia

General rules & hints on hiring a car in Australia

You can rent a car in Australia if:

• You are 18 years old and over and hold a valid international drivers' licence or a current local licence.
  

• UK licence holders may drive for 6 months in Australia. After which a local test drive will be required to carry on driving. This is usually accepted by all Australia car hire companies.

• Some car hire companies may require that the driver is over the age of 25 and others have lower minimum age requirements, such as 18 or 21, and may also levy a surcharge.

• It's of course especially easy for visitors from the UK or South Africa to drive in Australia, as traffic drives on the left.

There are a few rental companies that specialise in providing 2-3 year old vehicles which are offered at substantially less cost than new ones.

If you do choose to rent one it pays to ensure that the cars have a full service history and also are checked thoroughly for scratches or dents on the body.

These second-hand cars can sometimes be pre-booked online and collected from near to international airports.

Once again make sure that you hire car has air conditioning! This is especially vital if you are planning on long distances.

Driving in Australia

Driving in Australia is a truly rewarding experience. The country is bedecked with wide-open spaces and magnificent natural scenery and it's well spending the time to fully explore this huge country.

Be prepared to be self-sufficient as you may find yourself travelling or hundreds of kilometres between towns or road houses without being able to re-fuel or use public conveniences.

Speed and distances are measured in kilometres down under. Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road, so Americans will find there's a bit of adjusting to do.

Roads in and around the cities and towns are generally reliable and in good condition, as are the main highways that join the state and territory capital cities.

Road conditions in remote areas and the 'outback' can be difficult. Some may not be passable in certain seasons or weather conditions.

It's worthwhile checking with your car hire company when picking up your vehicle as permits may also be required to travel through certain remote locations.

Please bear in mind that road rules are strictly enforced in Australia, especially speed limits. Speed limits are clearly signposted at regular intervals so keep an eye out for them.

Licence & Permits
You must be over 18 years old and the holder of a valid international drivers' licence or a current local licence

UK licence holders may drive for 6 months in Australia after which they are required to take a local driving test

TIP: Make sure your hire car has air-conditioning because conditions in the outback can be absolutely stifling to say the least!

If you're looking for a decent car hire comany then you may want to visit Get Car Hire , who offer some of best car rental deals for Australia. And if you do decide to book through them then this is what the company provide:

• 24/7 Customer Support
• Unlimited Mileage
• No Premium/Airport Fees
• No VAT Local Tax
• Liability Insurance
• Collision Damage Waiver
• Vehicle Theft Waiver
• Best Price Guarantee

Happy driving down under meanwhile!