Frequently Asked Questions
How close to full does rental car need to be?
Once you wrap up your Canberra adventures, your rental car should be returned fully refuelled (fuel gauge shows full)!
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. (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.
What are the rules for renting a car in Australia?
For first-timers, you’ll want to familiarise yourself with car rental rules in Australia before you hit the road! While rules can vary between car rental companies, here are some that are generally applicable across the board:
- You need a valid driver’s licence, either Australian or international (with an English translation provided by your embassy or local traffic authority if necessary).
- You must be 21 years old or above.
- You require auto insurance to rent a car, so you’re covered on your trip.
- You pay a damage deposit in advance when booking your rental car.
- You should have a valid debit/credit card to present at vehicle pick-up (Most car rental companies require a credit card, but Redspot is one of the few car rentals that greenlight debit cards!).
Questions? Contact us for all your car rental queries and we’ll help you gear up for a smooth ride.
How to calculate car rental rate?
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!
Where is the Redspot Canberra branch located?
Head to our Redspot Canberra branch, conveniently located in Canberra Airport at Terminal Avenue! Hopping off a flight? Simply walk from Arrivals to meet our friendly Redspot team and collect your rental vehicle, just out the front of the terminal.
What are the Canberra branch hours?
- Mon: 7 am – 10:15 pm
- Tue: 7 am – 10:15 pm
- Wed: 7 am – 10:15 pm
- Thu: 7 am – 10:15 pm
- Fri: 7 am – 10:15 pm
- Sat: 9 am – 10:15 pm
- Sun: 9 am – 10:15 pm
- Public Holidays: 9 am – 10:15 pm
What is the Canberra after hours process?
For after hours pick up, please contact our friendly Canberra branch to check vehicle availability. We’ll confirm our available fleet and match you with a quality vehicle to suit your needs!
For after hours drop off, head to our Redspot Canberra location where a key drop box is available 24/7. Simply park your rental car at the designated Redspot car park bay and return keys to the drop box. Too easy!
What will I need to bring when I collect my rental car from the Redspot Canberra branch?
Before you buckle up, here are a few documents you’ll need to bring when collecting your Redspot rental car:
If your driver’s licence doesn’t display your current home address, you’ll also need to supply identification that shows this. For example, you could present a utility bill.
Credit/charge card and/or purchase order or prepaid voucher.
Your valid driver’s licence and the driver’s licence of any additional drivers. If your licence is not in English, we’ll need to see a translation provided by your embassy or home country traffic authority.
Do you offer one-way car hires from the Redspot Canberra branch?
We sure do! Redspot offers one-way car hires (also known as vehicle relocations) from our Canberra branch. Wherever you want to wrap up your stay in Australia’s capital, we’re happy to accommodate!
We also do our best to enable one-way journeys throughout other parts of Australia. You can see our full list of locations when planning your adventure. Simply let us know where you’d like to drop your vehicle off, and we’ll do our best to make it happen..
Are there any toll roads in Canberra?
Good news – there are no toll roads in Canberra!
If you are heading into town from NSW, VIC or QLD however, you may run into some toll roads in these respective states. To help you manage, we offer a toll road waiver for a small daily fee.
Is there a petrol station nearby the Redspot Canberra branch?
Our conveniently-located Canberra car rental branch is nearby many petrol stations, such as:
- Ampol Foodary Canberra Airport (pialligo) – 3 Rogan St, Canberra Airport (290m away).
- EG Ampol – Mustang Ave, Canberra Airport (2.5km away).
- Costco Fuel – 39-41 Mustang Ave, Canberra Airport (2.9km away).
What is the minimum age to rent a car from Redspot?
The minimum age to rent a car from Redspot is 21. Drivers under the age of 25 are required to pay a surcharge and can only rent out small to medium sized sedans and hatchbacks.
If you’re between the age of 21 and 24, you cannot reduce their damage cover below $330.
For more information, check out our Young Drivers page.
What is the maximum age to hire a car at the Redspot Canberra branch?
Redspot has no maximum age for car rentals. However many years young you are, you can pick up a vehicle at our Canberra branch for work or play!
Can P-platers hire cars in ACT?
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 in ACT.
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’re a P-plater, you must:
- Have held your driver’s licence for a minimum of 1 year.
- Have 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 page for all the details to get you geared up for the road.
Can more than one person drive a hire car?
Yes, more than one person can hit the road with a hire car! Just make sure any drivers present their valid driver’s licence at vehicle pick-up and you’ll be ready to roam. Usual T&Cs apply.
Can I rent a car with an international driver’s licence?
You sure can! Temporary visitors can show their overseas driver’s licence and passport to rent vehicles from Redspot.
If you’re planning to stay in Australia for longer than 3 months, you might 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 team for local advice.
If your licence is not in English, we’ll need a translated version from your embassy or traffic authority in your home country. You also need to adhere to the conditions of your licence when travelling in Australia.
For more information, see our complete guide to renting a vehicle with an overseas licence.
Do I have to pay a bond to rent a car with Redspot?
Yes, you will need to pay a bond to rent with Redspot. The exact dollar amount will depend on your booking plan and vehicle criteria, ranging from $100-$1000.
Call our friendly customer service team on 1300 668 810 or your local Redspot branch for more information.
Can I return my hire car early?
Yes, you can return your vehicle early if your plans change. Keep in mind that there is no refund for early returns or voucher payments – unless you’ve booked through our All-Inclusive rate!
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 – 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!
Do rental cars have a km limit?
Nope! All rental vehicles hired from our Canberra 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.
What if my car breaks down?
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.