Alice Springs Car Rental FAQs

Yes, you will need a valid international driver’s licence if you plan on renting a car in Australia. If your licence is not in English, we’ll also need a translated version from your embassy or traffic authority in your home country. Check out Redspot’s complete guide to renting a vehicle with an overseas licence to get your travels rolling!

None! At Redspot, we say that age is just a number. That’s why we welcome anyone over 21 years old to rent with us. For those young at heart, jump behind the wheel and get ready to explore all the beauty Australia has to ofNo, Uluru Airport (officially known as Ayers Rock Airport or Connellan Airport) is different from Alice Springs Airport. It takes roughly 4.5 hours to drive between these two airports. If you want to explore beyond Uluru and spend a few days discovering Australia’s outback, fly into Alice Springs Airport. If you only want to visit Uluru, choose Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) for maximum convenience. fer.

No, Uluru Airport (officially known as Ayers Rock Airport or Connellan Airport) is different from Alice Springs Airport. It takes roughly 4.5 hours to drive between these two airports. If you want to explore beyond Uluru and spend a few days discovering Australia’s outback, fly into Alice Springs Airport. If you only want to visit Uluru, choose Ayers Rock Airport (AYQ) for maximum convenience.

Autumn and spring are the best times to visit Alice Springs due to comfortable outdoor temperatures. March to May (autumn) brings warm days and cool nights, averaging between  12–27°C (54–81°F). September to November (spring) also brings pleasant temperatures for a desert trip, averaging between 13–31°C (57–87°F). Springtime is also fantastic to see the desert wildflowers in full bloom. 

Note that April can get busy around the Easter and ANZAC Public Holidays, so plan ahead to avoid crowds!

To hire a car in Australia (including our Alice Springs Airport branch!), you will need:

• A valid credit card or debit card* or purchase order/prepaid voucher**.
• A valid driver’s licence and the licence of any other drivers using the car. Licence not in English? You will also need an official translation, as provided by your embassy or home nation’s traffic authority. 
• Does your licence show your current address? If not, you will need to provide documented proof of address, such as a utility bill. 
• If you are not an Australian citizen, you must also provide your passport. 

*Debit cards: Must have the customer’s name displayed and the ability to make online payments e.g. Visa or Mastercard debit cards.

**Purchase order or prepaid vouchers: Customers must also supply a valid credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card for any incidental expenses (extensions, fuel charges etc.).

Yes – bring a valid debit card in the renter’s name and you’re all revved up to hire a Redspot rental! We’re one of the few Aussie car hire companies that accept both debit AND credit cards. 

You can also pay with a purchase order or prepaid voucher, but we will still need to see a debit/credit card for security. Other than that, you’ll also need a valid driver’s licence for any drivers planning to take the wheel. 

International visitors must also present their passport, with an English translation if necessary.

Yes, you sure can! We’re one of the few Aussie companies that give the green light for local P-platers over 21 to rent a car. 

Keeping you safe is our top priority, so we have a few safety rules that are designed to make sure you get from Point A to Point B without a hitch. 

If you are a P-plater, you must:

• Hold a Provisional P2 licence (green Ps).
• Hold a driver’s licence that is valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.

When you rent a car, remember to factor in the daily surcharge. This surcharge applies to all drivers holding an Australian provisional driver’s licence. Keep in mind that P-platers can also reduce damage cover to a maximum of $330. 

Aged between 21 and 25? You have access to our range of small to medium-sized sedans and hatchbacks. Provisional drivers over the age of 25 can enjoy renting any vehicle available from our entire fleet. 

Check out our Provisional Drivers guide for all the details to get you geared up for the road.

Your car rental rate will depend on factors such as:

• Type of car
• Rental duration
• Insurance options
• Any additional fees (moving equipment hire, vehicle relocation fees etc.)

Plug your trip details into our handy Redspot booking tool to get an idea of your rental rates and budget accordingly. 

Remember to read the fine print, ask questions and compare local prices to make sure you’re getting the best value out of your car rental deal!

No, unfortunately, for liability reasons we are not able to install baby seats in your hire car. 

Safety is our Number 1 priority at Redspot. We voluntarily comply with Australian state laws and safety policies and therefore cannot install child seats for customers. However, we do offer detailed instructions on how to install a baby seat as safely and securely as possible during vehicle pick-up.

Unfortunately, Redspot cars do not come with GPS or sat nav (satellite navigation) systems. If you need navigational help though, never fear! 

Most Redspot cars are equipped with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which allows hands-free navigation. This helps keep you safe while driving – we don’t recommend using your mobile phone for navigation otherwise. 

Bring along a USB or USB-C connector to use the location services available in-car facilities. We do not provide mobile phone connectors, so it’s best to come prepared in case you’d like to make full use of these services.

If the Redspot car rental branch is closed at Alice Springs Airport, never fear! You have a couple of after-hours pick-up options to get you rolling, even if your flight gets delayed. Choose to:

1. Provide your flight number to us during the booking process, or by calling our Alice Springs Airport team on (08) 7925 8010 (branch direct). We will track your flight until it arrives, well past operating hours. We will also wait for you up to 60 minutes after your flight has officially landed.
   
   Select this option to ensure your peace of mind, no matter how your flight goes! This is especially helpful if you are booking through a third party, travelling into Alice Springs via an international flight or arriving on a late-night flight.  
2. Fly without providing a flight number with your booking. We will wait up to 60 minutes past your booked arrival time.  
3. If you haven’t provided a flight number and your flight arrives past the booked arrival time, please make alternative travel arrangements. Your rental vehicle will be available for collection the next business day. 

For after-hours drop-off, head to the Terminal Car Park and follow the signage. After parking, drop your keys off at our Redspot counter’s 24/7 key drop box, inside the terminal building. 

Questions? Contact our friendly Alice Springs Airport team by phone or email to discuss your options!

When it comes to refilling your Redspot rental car, we’re here to offer fuel options:

• Prepay for the full tank your vehicle contains at the start of your rental. You’ll pay a discounted rate, and you won’t need to worry about refilling the vehicle before returning it. (There’s no refund for unused fuel.)
• We can refill the vehicle for you and charge you for the fuel you’ve used. If you choose this option, you’ll pay a higher rate. 

You can refuel your rental vehicle before returning it. Please fill up the vehicle right before returning to avoid extra charges.

At Redspot, we clean your hire car after every rental so you don’t have to! Simply return your rental car to the way you found it – remember to throw any rubbish and take your belongings with you. 

We vacuum and clean all Redspot car interiors including seats, floors, dashboard, steering wheel and internal windows. Car exteriors aren’t forgotten either – we wash and dry them so your rental car sparkles like a million bucks.

On the off-chance your rental car requires intensive cleaning (beyond the service mentioned above) or steam cleaning, we may need to charge a cleaning fee. Speak to our staff for more info!

Unfortunately, breakdowns can occur in vehicles of all types and get in the way of your road trip, business travel or errand run. That’s why we offer 24-hour roadside assistance for all our vehicles.

Prefer to be fully covered for everything from lost keys to punctured tyres to running out of fuel? You can prepay for our Premium Roadside Assistance (PRA).

With Redspot’s Premium Roadside Assistance (PRA) OR Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) changing a punctured tyre will be included in your package at no extra cost! Your rental car also comes with a tool kit to change the tyre yourself if you want to get up and running ASAP. 

PRA covers the cost of call-out requests with Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) insurance or similar. Alternatively, one of our friendly Redspot staff members will come to assist you. This is also covered by PRA. 

If you are stuck in a particularly remote location, Redspot also offers a $150 reimbursement credit. This helps cover any local accommodation and transport you might need during a worst-case scenario. 

Note: If your vehicle breaks down due to no fault of your own (engine faults etc.), you are not liable for any call-out fees etc. This applies even if you did not take Premium Roadside Assistance.