Booking a car hire should always be a stress-free and exciting part of the holiday plans. But there’s nothing worse than thinking that the process is pretty much straightforward until you get hit with hidden costs or conditions once you get to the counter. It can’t get any worse when you learn that the vehicle you need is suddenly unavailable on the day of your holiday. But don’t fret; with Alpha Car Hire, you’re covered for any trip. Whether it’s for a short stay in the city for business, a family holiday up the coast, or you need to move some furniture, and we’ll always have the perfect vehicle for you.
However, it’s good to learn about the general restrictions when it comes to hiring a car. In this article, we’ve highlighted the process of hiring a car with Alpha in terms of the car hire age limit, car hire deposit and licensing matters. We’ll go over:
- Car Rental Under 25 Years Old
- Car Rental Under 21 Years Old
- International License Holders
- Car Rental Security Deposit
Alpha Car Hire Restrictions
If you’re looking to rent a car with Alpha Car Hire, whether out of Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Sydney or Melbourne, we aim to make it a hassle-free experience for you and your family. This is also why we have a dedicated team of car hire experience specialists on standby to ensure your venture’s stress-free from start to finish.
Car Hire Age Limit
Generally, if you’re over the age of 21 with an open license, you’ll be able to rent with Alpha car Hire. Though we typically rent to car hire drivers between the ages of 25 to 75, we have additional provisions for those looking to book a car hire under 25 and above 75 years of age.
If you’re booking a car rental under 24 but above 21, you’ll still be provided with a rental vehicle, but a daily surcharge will be applied. Other limits to consider when you fall into this category include having the collision damage waiver as the only option applicable, and you’re only allowed to rent from the sedan range of our fleet.
For those drivers aged 76 and above, we will need to ask you for a medical certificate stating that you are capable of driving a car. While there will be no age surcharge, waiver options will not be available.
The bottom line is that if you are below 21, Alpha will not be able to provide you with a rental car.
- You must hold a full and valid driver’s licence to hire a vehicle (no learner’s or provisional driver’s licences are accepted).
- Hirers aged between 21 and 24 (inclusive) will need to pay an age surcharge.
- Drivers aged 21-24 are limited to compact and mid-size hatchbacks and sedans (subject to availability).
- There is no upper age limit for renting vehicles as long as your licence is valid.
- We do not rent out to drivers under the age of 21.
Using an International Overseas Driver’s License
An open driver’s license is a requirement for all renters. If you’re a tourist, you must present an international driver’s license. If you are from a non-English speaking country, you will need to also provide a license with English translations. If you have any questions on eligibility for your licence, don’t hesitate to contact us, and one of our Alpha Car Hire team members will be in touch to walk you through your vehicle hire options.
Pre-Authorised Limits for Rentals
While we do not ask for a security deposit upfront and will only ask for the total cost of the rental, we will ask for a pre-authorisation cost for the security bond. The pre-authorisation charges for passenger vehicles are as follows:
- $1,000 for passenger vehicles (including Ute hire), where you have not opted for a liability waiver (regardless of your age at the time of rental).
- $650 for passenger vehicles (including Ute hire), where you have opted for a Collision Damage Waiver (and are aged between 21-24 at the time of rental) or a Premium Protection Waiver (and are 25+ at the time of rental).
- $250 for passenger vehicles (including Ute hire), where you have opted for a Total Protection Waiver (and are 25+ at the time of rental).
If you are renting a commercial vehicle, you will need to be over 25 years old. The relevant pre-authorisations are:
- $1,250 for commercial vehicles, where you have not opted for a liability waiver (and are 25+); and
- $450 for commercial vehicles, where you have opted for a Collision Damage Waiver (and are 25+).
Picking Up Your Car
When you turn up at the Alpha Car Hire office, whether it is Moorooka, Brisbane Airport, Tullamarine, Sunshine Coast or Coolangatta, you will be greeted by one of the friendly rentals team. When you arrive, please have your current driver’s licence and the credit card or debit card associated with your booking.
Lastly, prepare yourself and the documents you need before booking. That way, you can focus more on the excitement for your trip and the experience of renting with Alpha Car Hire. Please feel free to visit our Deals Page for car rental discounts and other exciting offers.