Frequently Asked Questions
Check Alpha Car Hire Terms & Conditions
Driver Requirements FAQs
What are the age requirements for renting a car with Alpha Car Hire?
To get behind the wheel of one of our vehicles, you and any extra drivers will need to be at least 21 years old. We also require everyone to have a minimum of 12 months of driving experience on a full, valid and unrestricted driver’s licence.
Just a quick heads-up that we cannot accept learner permits or provisional P1 and P2 licences at the rental desk. As long as you tick those boxes, we are ready to hand over the keys and get you out on the road.
What type of driver's licence do I need to rent a car?
You will need a full, valid and unrestricted driver’s licence to get behind the wheel, as we cannot accept learner permits or provisional P-plate licences at the desk. We are more than happy to accept digital licences from Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, provided we can verify them through the official government app when you arrive. If we run into any tech hiccups and cannot verify your digital licence for any reason, you will just need to present your physical copy before we can hand over the keys.
What payment methods are accepted when picking up my rental car?
To get you sorted at the desk, we require a valid Visa, Mastercard or American Express credit card in the primary hirer’s name to cover your security security deposit and any remaining rental charges.
If you locked in a “Pay Now” booking online, you are welcome to use Google Pay or Apple Pay for the rental cost but you will still need to bring a physical credit card to the branch for the security deposit.
For “Pay Later” bookings, just make sure you have your physical Visa, Mastercard or Amex handy to cover both the rental fees and the deposit.
As a quick heads-up, we cannot accept cash, gift cards or contactless tap payments at the counter.
Are International Driving Permits or translated licences required for overseas visitors?
If you are visiting us from overseas and your driver’s licence is not in English, you will just need to bring an International Driving Permit or an approved English translation. Make sure to present this document right alongside your original foreign licence and double-check that your home licence includes a clear photograph. You will also need to ensure your licence remains completely valid and unexpired for the entire duration of your trip. Once we have verified those details at the counter, we are ready to hand over the keys and get your Aussie road trip started.
Do all drivers need to be listed on the rental agreement?
You absolutely need to list every person who plans on getting behind the wheel on your rental agreement so we can keep everything above board for insurance and legal reasons. Everyone who wants to drive will need to meet our standard age and licence requirements and present their valid driver’s licence at the desk when you collect the keys.
Just keep in mind that a small daily fee may apply for each extra driver you add to the booking. Once everyone is locked in on the paperwork, you can all take turns tackling the driving on your Aussie road trip.
What identification is required for local renters?
If your home address is within 50 kilometres of our rental branch, you fall into the local renter category and will just need to provide a little extra proof of where you live. Along with your valid driver’s licence, please bring a recent utility bill, current rent receipt or council rates notice issued within the last three months.
Just a quick heads-up that we cannot accept mobile phone bills, credit card statements, employment letters or bank statements for this requirement. Once we verify your documents at the counter, we will hand over the keys and get you out on the road.
Can a P-plate driver rent a car?
Unfortunately, we cannot hand the keys over to anyone holding a provisional P1 or P2 licence or a learner permit. To get behind the wheel of one of our vehicles, every driver needs to hold a full, valid and unrestricted driver’s licence.
You will also need to have at least 12 months of solid driving experience under your belt before you can hit the road with us. Once you have upgraded to your full licence, we would absolutely love to help you sort out a ride for your next trip.
Is there a young driver surcharge for car rentals?
If you are between 21 and 24 years old, a daily young driver surcharge will apply to your rental to help cover the insurance side of things for newer drivers. Just keep in mind that drivers in this age bracket cannot hire out our larger vehicles, so options like Family SUVs, Large SUVs, People Movers, Minibuses, Moving Vans or Moving Trucks are currently off the table.
If you want to check the latest rates or have a chat about exactly what cars you can get behind the wheel of, feel free to give our team a quick ring at 1300 227 473
What if my Australian driver's licence is expired or suspended?
We absolutely cannot hand over the keys if your driver’s licence is currently expired, suspended or cancelled. Every driver needs to hold a current, valid and unrestricted licence for the entire duration of the rental period to get behind the wheel.
Keep in mind that driving with an invalid licence completely voids your rental agreement and any insurance coverage, which means you would be entirely on the hook if things go wrong. Just double-check that your paperwork is fully up to date before you arrive so we can get you out on the road without a worry.