West End Townsville FAQs

Redspot Car Rentals > West End Townsville FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in a car hire?

In Australia, car hire typically includes the base rental fee, damage cover options, roadside assistance and GST. When you hire with Redspot Car Rentals, you also get free additional drivers, no cancellation or amendment fees, and 24/7 support from local Aussie car rental experts for both our All-Inclusive and Standard Packages! 

Additionally, all Redspot bookings come with contract fees, premium location fees and registration recovery fees included. Chat with our friendly team at 1300 668 810 for all the details! 

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Can you leave the city with a rental car?

Yes, absolutely! Leave the city and hit the open Aussie roads to wherever your plans take you with Redspot Car Rentals. We also offer one-way car hires (also known as vehicle relocations) from our West End Townsville branch, subject to availability. 

Wherever you want to wrap up your stay, we’re happy to accommodate! Contact our friendly team by phone or email to arrange your plans.

What makes a car mine spec?

Mine spec vehicles are heavy-duty and come equipped with specialised features and equipment to handle various mine site conditions easily. A mine spec car hire must meet safety regulations to keep everyone safe in the workplace, including commute to-and-from any mine site. 

Examples include safety features such as reflective strips and LED lights for improved visibility, UHF radios and satellite phones for communication, and many more.

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What documents do I need to hire a mine spec vehicle?

Don’t sweat the paperwork with Redspot! For mine spec drivers, all you need to bring for vehicle collection is your valid driver’s licence (and credit card, depending on your company agreement*). 

For travel managers, get in touch with our Sales team to set up seamless travel management with Redspot Business Club! We’ll guide you through our Business Club Portal, where you can choose your ideal billing setup, keep track of travel logistics and manage agreements easily. You can also load any required documents here, such as the company credit card for easy payments! 

*If your company is set up for split bill back or all paid for by the driver, please present your driver’s licence AND credit card at pickup. Remember to check with your employer and ensure you have all the correct details to get rolling! 

Whether your company’s rental setup is full bill back, split bill back or all paid for by the driver upon pickup, we’ve got your papers covered so you can focus on the road.

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How much does it cost to hire a mine spec ute?

Depends on your plans! Vehicle type, booking duration, chosen damage excess cover, seasonal factors and more will affect the cost of hiring a mine spec ute. That said, average daily hire rates may range from $90 to $300 for smaller vehicles like 4WD utes. For larger trucks, this can range from $120 to $450.

Check out our handy Redspot rental car booking tool to scope out the latest rates. Pick and choose from a wide range of well-maintained, quality vehicles and ride through your workday with ease!

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What is the longest time you can rent a car?

With Redspot, there is no maximum rental duration! Book your ideal car hire for days, weeks, or months with our flexible rental periods – perfect for long work projects or unexpected extensions. Contact your local Redspot team at 1300 668 810 to discuss your options today.

What is the shortest time you can rent a car?

24 hours is our minimum hire period! If you need your Redspot ride for just a few hours, you can still book with us at the 1-day rental fee. No problems bringing your vehicle back early or requesting an extension either.

Are your vehicles well maintained?

They sure are! Here at Redspot, we take loving care of our fleet, whether you’re on the road for a few days or a few months. Our fleet maintains an average age of 6 months old. Additionally, we thoroughly inspect and clean all our vehicles after they are returned to ensure tip-top condition. 

For long-term car hire, our swapping out process will keep your vehicle rental spot on! Every month, our expert team will get in touch via phone to check in on any maintenance issues and the kilometre (km) reading. 

Once km reaches a certain amount, your Redspot vehicle will be serviced or swapped out for a fresher ride, depending on your needs. We keep on top of the maintenance, so you can tackle the mine site conditions stress-free. Alternatively, contact our friendly team at 1300 668 810 to arrange swap-outs or request more information.

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Do rental car companies have cameras in the car?

Some rental cars have dashcams and/or rearview cameras for safety reasons. Here at Redspot, we want to give you full transparency. We’ll tell you in the rental agreement if your vehicle is equipped with any kind of camera.

We also value your privacy. Redspot will never install an internal camera in our vehicles and we do not film you inside your car as you drive.

Do rental cars have a km limit?

For maximum freedom, there are no kilometre (km) limitations for standard passenger and leisure Redspot vehicles around Australia! However, if you rent a commercial vehicle, please note that your contract may have km restrictions. 

Typically, mine-spec vehicles have a km limit per day. The exact km amount depends on location. For example, you can get up to 140 km free p/day ($0.30 per excess kilometre + GST) for Redspot mine spec rentals in Regional WA, SA and NT. For QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS, get up to 130 km free p/day ($0.30 per excess kilometre + GST). 

Particularly remote Redspot locations such as Alice Springs or Darwin also have kilometre restrictions on all vehicles. For more details, please contact our friendly Redspot team on 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to get your plans rolling.

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Is fuel included in car hire?

When you hire a car at Redspot West End Townsville, your car’s tank should already be full. No need to dash away running on fumes!

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

For rental car pick-up, your vehicle comes with a full tank of fuel so you can get rolling ASAP! For returns, you have a few refuelling choices on hand. Fuel options include: 

  1. 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. Refuel your rental vehicle before returning it. You can refuel the car yourself, right before returning it (fuel tank must show as full).

Only get charged for the fuel you use through our refuelling station on your return. This is available at a higher rate than the pre-paid fuel option.

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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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Can more than one person drive a hire car?

Yes, more than one person can hit the road with a hire car with Redspot (including mine-spec and commercial vehicles). Just make sure any drivers present their valid driver’s licence at vehicle pick-up and you’ll be ready to hit the road on any work trip! Usual T&Cs apply.

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. Mine-spec and commercial vehicles included. 

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.

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Can an 80 year old hire a car in Australia?

Absolutely! As long as you are over 21 years old, Redspot Car Rentals Australia welcomes drivers of any age. Hop in a trusty Redspot car and set off from Townsville to keep making unforgettable memories on the road!

Can I rent a car with an international driver's license in Australia?

Yes! International visitors can use 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, 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 team for local advice. 

If your licence is not in English, we’ll also 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.

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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. 

*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.).

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Do car hires come with insurance?

At Redspot, our vehicles come with Standard Cover insurance for your safety. If you’d like a little more protection, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Collision Damage Waiver or Super Collision Damage Waiver offers for even more peace of mind.

Do you pay GST on car hire?

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.

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Can I vape or smoke in a rental car?

Most Aussie rental cars run a smoke-free fleet, including Redspot! Vaping and smoking are best done outside and away from your rental car. This helps you avoid any extra cleaning fees you may be charged if your car rental smells like vape/smoke upon returning it.

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!

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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.

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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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