Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a hire car for Cairns?
While public transport is available in Cairns, why not take your adventures by the wheel on your own time? Hiring a rental car around Cairns gives you the flexibility to go wherever you want, whenever you want.
From the Daintree Rainforest to the Atherton Tablelands, Cairns’ natural beauty is at your fingertips. Not to mention, hiring a car allows you to experience some of the country’s most stunning scenic drives on your own schedule!
How much does car hire cost Cairns?
Long story short, it depends. You can check out Redspot’s red-hot deals like our Mystery Vehicles offer for affordable rentals as a starting point.
Can I rent a car in Australia as a tourist?
Yes, absolutely! Tourists are more than welcome to rent a car in Australia to explore our beautiful country. Temporary visitors can show their valid overseas driver’s licence and passport to rent vehicles from Redspot.
If you’re loving your time here and stay in Australia for longer than 3 months, that’s when you’ll need to transition to a local driver’s licence. This depends on the state or territory you’re travelling in, so check in with our friendly Sunshine Coast team for local advice.
Note: Make sure to bring a physical driver’s licence to the kiosk. E-licenses or passports are not accepted as valid documents.
If your licence is not in English, we’ll need a translated version from your embassy or traffic authority in your home country.
For more information, see our complete guide to renting a vehicle with an overseas licence.
What are the rules for renting a car in Australia?
Renting a car in Australia requires that you:
- Be over 21 years old.
- Present a valid credit/debit card OR purchase order OR prepaid voucher in the renter’s name.
- Present a valid, physical driver’s licence in the renter’s name. Note: Digital licences, photos or copies are not accepted.
- Present valid driver’s licence/s for any additional drivers, who must be present at the time of vehicle pick-up.
If you are an international visitor, you must also present your physical passport and valid full driver’s licence at vehicle pick-up.
Make sure to bring an official translation of your driving licence if it is not in English. You may request translation documents from your country’s embassy or local traffic authority.
How close to full does rental car need to be?
When it comes to refuelling your Redspot rental car, we’re here to offer 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. Please note that there is 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 the vehicle up right before returning to avoid extra charges!
What is considered a midsize car?
A midsize car can range in length from roughly 4.5 to 4.8 metres. Typically, they are designed to accommodate up to five passengers comfortably. Some midsize car models may be able to seat up to seven passengers.
Midsize cars are usually available as sedans or SUVs, such as the MG HS Vibe SUV. They are a popular rental vehicle due to their seamless performance and fuel efficiency. Many renters enjoy the ample legroom and cargo space, without the price of larger cars.
What is a small SUV car?
Typically, a small SUV car measures about 4.5 metres in length or less. They are relatively fuel-efficient, offer reasonable internal space and a safer, more comfortable ride in bumpy conditions despite their compact size.
Small SUVs are a practical option for small groups and families looking for the perfect vehicle to navigate various road conditions.
What is mystery car rental?
A mystery vehicle is a way to add more adventure to your, well, adventure. Let us add some mystery to your time in Cairns with a car fit for your purposes! The cherry on top? Score a discounted rate while you’re at it!
What is an example of one-way rental?
A one-way car rental (also known as vehicle relocation) means that your car drop-off location differs from your pick-up location. This makes trip planning so much more flexible and a lot more convenient.
For example, you pick up a trusty rental car from our Brisbane City branch. You hit the highway for an epic road trip through Queensland, ending your journey in Cairns. Finally, you drop your hire car off at our Cairns International Airport office then hop on a flight back home. Too easy!
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Cairns?
You can rent a car with Redspot once you turn 21! We’re one of the few Aussie car rental companies that welcome young drivers to gear up with us.
Please note that drivers under the age of 25 are required to pay a surcharge and can only rent from our range of small to medium-sized sedans and hatchbacks. Once you hit 25, you’ll have full access to our entire fleet range.
If you’re between the ages of 21 and 24, you can reduce your damage cover to a maximum of $330.
Want more info? Check out our Young Drivers guide to get you revved up for your adventures.
Can you hire a car on your Ps in Qld?
You sure can! We’re one of the few Aussie companies giving the green light for local P-platers over 21 to hire a car. With 40+ branches across Australia, we’ve got P-plate drivers covered from Queensland to WA and beyond.
Keeping you safe is our top priority, so we have a few safety rules designed to get you 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.
What is the oldest age you can rent a car?
With Redspot, age is just a number! Having said that, we do require you to be over 21 to rent a car from us for safety reasons.
How can I avoid rental car cancellation fees?
Booking directly with Redspot? Good news – we don’t charge any rental car cancellation fees! We know that life happens when you least expect it and how important flexibility is on the road.
Please keep in mind that this may change if your booking is prepaid. Additionally, if you’ve booked with a third-party agency (broker, GPS, OTA) then you will need to seek a refund from them directly. Unfortunately, Redpot cannot refund third-party rentals for you. Questions? Contact our Cairns International Airport staff to make sure you’re all set to go.
Do rental cars have a km limit?
Nope! All rental vehicles hired from our Cairns City branch have no kilometre (km) restrictions. Wander to your heart’s content!
Renting a van, truck or ute? Commercial vehicles may have kilometre restrictions, so check your driving journey to make sure you’re covered before hitting the road.
Can more than one person drive a hire car?
Absolutely! You’ll just need to include their details in the rental car agreement before driving. They’ll also need to present their valid driver’s licence to us.
Do I need a credit card to rent a car with Redspot?
No credit card, no problem. We’re one of the rare Aussie rental car companies that don’t require credit card payment to book with us!
Instead, you can pay using a valid debit card and/or purchase order or prepaid voucher. We understand that flexibility is key, so we offer alternative payment options to get you rolling ASAP.
Do Redspot car rentals come with damage cover?
With Redspot, all our vehicles automatically come with Standard Cover for peace of mind and seamless, easy booking! No need for complex third-party claims or processing periods, just swift support for a smooth experience.
Interested in a little more protection? Check out our Collison Damage Waiver or Super Collision Damage Waiver options for greater peace of mind.
Do I have to refuel my rental car before returning it?
When it comes to refuelling 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.
Do you have to clean a hire car before returning?
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, throw away 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.
If your vehicle 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!
I just got a punctured tyre, will it cost me to call out the roadside assistance to change the tyre?
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.