Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car in Australia as a tourist?

You sure can! Tourists can simply show their valid 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.

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:

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

  • 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.

Can P. Platers hire cars in Victoria?

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 Victoria. 

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 P plate car rental guide for all the details to get you geared up for the road.

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 ages of 21 and 24, you cannot reduce their damage cover below $330.For more information, check out our guide to Car Rental Under 25.

What is the maximum age to rent a car from Redspot?

Age is just a number with Redspot! With us, there’s no maximum age limit to stop you from hitting 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.

Where is the Redspot Melbourne Airport branch located?

Hop off your flight and head straight to Melbourne Airport’s Ground Floor! Opposite the main terminals (Tullamarine, Terminals 1 and 3), you can find the Redspot office within easy walking distance. From leisure vehicles and SUVs to commercial vans, slide into your ride with the help of our friendly Melbourne Airport team! 

Setting up camp in the city? Check out our Redspot Melbourne CBD branch at McIlwraith Place, 34-60 Little Collins Street, Melbourne! Our city office offers car hire pick-up and drop-offs to local hotels and businesses within the Melbourne CBD area. Perfect for all you city-slickers looking for a quick and easy rental ride!

What are the Redspot Melbourne Airport branch hours?

Stretch your legs after your flight and head to the Redspot Melbourne Airport branch, just a hop and skip away from Terminals 1 and 3! Our friendly team of local Aussie experts will match you with a red-hot rental vehicle to suit your trip. 

Our Melbourne Airport branch is open:

  • Mon: 6:30 am – 11:30 pm
  • Tue: 6:30 am – 11:30 pm
  • Wed: 6:30 am – 11:30 pm
  • Thu:  6:30 am – 11:30 pm
  • Fri: 6:30 am – 11:30 pm
  • Sat: 7:00 am – 11:30 pm
  • Sun: 7:00 am – 11:30 pm
  • Public Holidays: 7:00 am – 11:30 pm

What documents do I need to rent a car in Melbourne?

We’ll always try to see you off as quickly as we can from our Melbourne car rental location, but we do need to review some documents before sending you on your way. 

Here’s what you’ll need to bring when picking up your Redspot hire car:

  • Credit/debit card in renter’s name and/or purchase order or prepaid voucher
  • Valid driver’s licence/s for yourself and any additional drivers. If your licence is not in English, please include a translation provided by your embassy or home country traffic authority.
  • Driver’s licence doesn’t display your current home address? (Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!) In this case, you’ll also need to supply ID with this information, like a utility bill. 
  • Your passport (if you’re an overseas visitor)

Do I need a credit card to rent a car with Redspot?

Bring a valid or debit card in the renter’s name and you’re all revved up to hire a Redspot rental! Otherwise, you’ll just need a valid driver’s licence for any drivers planning to take the wheel. 

International visitors will also need to present their passport and an English translation if necessary.

How do I return my rental car to Melbourne Airport?

Simply call or email our Redspot Melbourne Airport team to arrange after hours pick-up. For after hours drop-off, return your rental car and drop keys off at the Melbourne Airport branch’s 24/7 key drop box. Easy as!

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 cars hired from our Melbourne Airport branch have no kilometre (km) restrictions. With us, you can 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 is the cancellation policy for Redspot?

Life happens – plans change! There are no cancellation fees when you book with Redspot because we know how important flexibility is on the road. 

Note that this may differ if your booking is prepaid. Check in with your local Redspot branch to make sure you’re set to go.

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.

Do Redspot rental cars in Australia have GPS systems?

Unfortunately, Redspot cars do not come with GPS systems. If you need navigational help though, never fear! 

Most Redspot vehicles 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.

Are there any toll roads in Melbourne?

Yes, there 2 toll roads in Melbourne – CityLink and EastLink. To help you manage, we offer a toll road waiver for a small daily fee.

Is there a petrol station nearby the Redspot Melbourne Airport branch?

Our conveniently located Melbourne Airport car rental branch is near many petrol stations, such as:

  • Ampol Foodary Westmeadows – 227-231 Mickleham Rd (3.7km away).
  • bp – Corner of Centre Rd and Melbourne Dr (400m away).
  • Shell Reddy Express Tullamarine  – 175/183 Mickleham Rd (3.5km away).

Can you hire a car in Melbourne and drive to Sydney?

Yes, you can! To make your journey as smooth as possible, we offer a one-way rental service from Melbourne Airport.

When booking your Redspot vehicle, simply select the “Drop off at a different location” option. We’ll accommodate your itinerary as best we can.

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.

What is mystery car rental?

Redspot’s mystery car rental is simple: If you don’t mind what vehicle you travel with, you can book a mystery car for a reduced price.

You’ll still get a reliable, high-quality Redspot vehicle, while also saving a bundle!