Hobart Airport Car Rental FAQs

Redspot Car Rentals > Hobart Airport Car Rental FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a car to get around Hobart?

While Hobart is a compact city with plenty of walkable areas, having a rental car offers greater flexibility to explore the rest of Tasmania! 

With a car, you can easily reach Mount Wellington and enjoy scenic drives along the coastline. You can also take your adventures further by exploring natural wonders like Bruny Island or Wineglass Bay.

Can I rent a car in Australia as a tourist?

Yes, tourists are more than welcome to rent a car in Hobart! 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 Hobart Airport team for local advice. 

Note: Make sure to bring a physical driver’s licence to the kiosk. Digital licences 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.

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Can you rent a car from Launceston and return to Hobart?

Yes, you can! Simply pick up your car in Launceston and drop it off at our convenient Hobart Airport location. Check with our friendly Hobart Airport team for vehicle availability and we’ll do our best to match your travel plans.

How close to full does a rental car need to be?

No need to worry, your Redspot rental car will be full of fuel when you pick it up! When it comes to returning it, it’s up to you if you want to refuel or not! Here are your options: 

  1. You can prepay for a full tank at a discounted rate at the start of your rental period. This will save you the hassle of filling it up later, just note that there’s no refund for unused fuel. 
  2. Only get charged for the fuel you use. This will be at a higher rate than above.
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How much does it cost to bring a car from Tasmania to Victoria?

The cost of renting a car from Tasmania to Victoria can vary depending on the rental company and the specific terms of the rental agreement. 

Currently, Redspot does not offer Mainland Australia to Tasmania vehicle relocation (aka one-way car rentals). Instead, we recommend that you fly into Victoria and book a car rental from the airport you arrive in. This is a more cost-effective method and you don’t have to pay any vehicle relocation fees.

You can easily pick up your Redspot car rental from our branches in both Melbourne Airport and Melbourne City. Our convenient locations mean that you can transition seamlessly from the sky to the road, and get driving through Victoria ASAP!

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What is a cross-border fee for rental cars?

A cross-border fee is a charge applied when you take a rental car across state or national borders. For example, if you’re driving from South Australia to Victoria or any other state, this fee helps cover the logistics of moving the vehicle and any potential risks. 

Currently, Redspot does not offer Mainland Australia to Tasmania vehicle relocation (aka one-way car rentals). We highly recommend customers fly into Melbourne directly and then book another car from there to get rolling. Ultimately, this method is more cost-effective and you won’t have to pay any vehicle relocation fees either. 

Check out our convenient branches in Melbourne Airport and Melbourne City to get started on your Victorian adventures!

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What documents do I need to hire a car in Australia?

To hire a car in Australia with Redspot, you will need:

  • A valid credit card, 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 will also need to provide your passport.
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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.

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Can I rent a car with a debit card in Australia?

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 will still need a credit or debit 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 will need to present their passport and an English translation if necessary.

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What happens if the car rental place is closed at the airport?

Want to pick up your car rental after hours? Please contact our Hobart Airport team at (03) 6248 4043 (branch direct) or 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to discuss your needs. We’ll do our best to help get you sorted! 

For after-hours drop-off, head to the Hobart Airport car park and park your rental vehicle in the designated Redspot bay. Drop off your keys in the 24/7 secure drop box at our Hobart Airport kiosk, and you’re done!

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Do hire cars come with insurance?

When you hire with Redspot, all our vehicles come with Standard Cover insurance for your safety. Interested in a little more protection? Check out our Collision Damage Waiver or Super Collision Damage Waiver options for greater peace of mind.

You've taken a bond on my credit card, when can I expect this to be returned?

The bond is usually released within 3-5 business days after the vehicle is returned, but this can vary depending on your bank or credit card provider.

If there are any damages, late returns or additional fees, these may be deducted from the bond before it’s refunded. 

If you have any concerns or if the bond has yet to be returned within the expected timeframe, please contact the branch you hired the vehicle from to discuss.

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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. 

Please note that an additional driver’s fee may apply, unless you book our All-Inclusive package!

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Can my friend and I split-pay for the rental?

Yes, you can definitely split-pay your rental with a friend! 

However, there must be a designated hirer and the primary credit card must be in their name. This is in case there are any extra charges, like fuel or rental extensions. Aside from that, there is no trouble at all with split payments!  

Can P Platers hire cars?

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.

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What is the minimum age to rent a car in Hobart?

With most Aussie rental companies? The minimum age is 25, but at Redspot we don’t think age should keep you from getting out there! 

Please be advised that there will be a few restrictions for young drivers. Hired cars available will be CDAR, ECAR and IDAR class vehicles. Provisional P2 licence holders can reduce damage cover up to $330, and there will be a small daily surcharge. Check our Young Drivers guide for all the details.

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What is the oldest age for driving a rental car?

None! At Redspot, we say that age is just a number. Hop in your rental car and get ready to roam! 

What is the most popular car rental type?

The most popular rental varies from location to location. But on average, the Toyota Camry is the reigning champion of car rentals. 

The next most popular car rentals are the Toyota Yaris Cross and the Mazda CX-8. 

Do rental cars have cameras?

Yes, some rental cars may have a dashcam or rearview camera installed for safety reasons. We value full transparency. We will tell you in the rental agreement if your vehicle is equipped with either camera. 

At Redspot, we respect your privacy and there are no internal cameras filming you in your rental car.

Do you install baby seats for us?

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.

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Oh no! I just filled up my unleaded car with diesel, what do I do?

If you have filled your rental car with the wrong fuel, don’t panic. Instead, follow these simple steps:

  • Safely stop your vehicle ASAP and turn off the engine
  • Call Redspot’s 24/7 roadside assistance for a tow to the nearest workshop 
  • Wait for assistance and don’t start the engine again 

Diesel petrol in an unleaded car can cause serious engine damage, so it’s best to get professional assistance as soon as you can. 

Hot tip: Always double-check the fuel type displayed in the fuel tank opening of your car rental! This is located either on the fuel cap OR lid flap. Still unsure? Your hire car fuel type is also listed on the vehicle’s key tag.

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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.

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