Car hire for dummies?

[Wanderlust_tim]

Hello everyone,
Could I please get your advice? I am looking at hiring a car in Tassie for 2-3 days in early January. However, I have never hired a car before. Are there any hints or tips that I should be aware of? Any particular sites?

We'd pick up in Launnie and then ideally drop off in Hobart (but open to return in Launnie - haven't booked flights back yet). Not after anything fancy, just something functional.

Thanks for your advice
Wanderlust_tim

 

[33kft]

One tip I have is not to order the GPS navigation option that the hire car companies offer. It's not an integrated feature (90% of the time) but a garmin or similar GPS unit that just becomes an extra liability in that you are responsible for it and it could be lost/stolen/broken.

Instead, I just bring a suction-cup mobile phone holder with me and use google maps. The map quality and turn by turn directions tend to be better and it reacts to road conditions which the Garmin's cannot do.

 

[VPS]

Good to shop around for deals

VroomVroomVroom - Cheap Car Hire Comparison in Australia

or use the airlines for extra points or your local AA (RACV) for good discounts

 

[Hvr]

Take lots of photos before and after. If you see any chips, faults etc mark them on the checklist before you leave the lot.

Check all the fluids and make sure you know how to put fuel into the car, there is a spare tyre and a full tank of fuel.

Take your licence with you. Stay on made roads.

 

[trooper]

Watch out for one way fees if you want to return to a different place... And if you are young (?? first hire??) ) note that many companies charge extra fees for those under certain ages... The previous posters have given REALLY good advice.

 

[VPS]

Some don't charge very high one way fees but also look out for whether it is unlimited mileage or not.

If you have travel insurance that should cover your for the excess but read the pds carefully. Your credit card may cover insurance but they may try and hard sell you. Some unscrupulous car rentals may try and tell you they have run out of what you ordered so they will upgrade you but you have to pay. No - you ordered a particular car and that's what you are paying for.

Check that the petrol tank really is full when you leave and it's best to say you'll bring it back full and make sure you do

 

[33kft]

Check that the petrol tank really is full when you leave and it's best to say you'll bring it back full and make sure you do

This. The going rate they will charge you to fill the tank to full is $4 per litre or so. I would always return it full and save yourself overpaying by 3-4x.

 

[Denali]

We take our own Garmin sat nav.

I also bought a yearly domestic travel policy that included hire car excess but read the fine print on the care hire on how much their excess is. Factor in additional driver cost into the your budget.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

Good to shop around for deals

VroomVroomVroom - Cheap Car Hire Comparison in Australia

or use the airlines for extra points or your local AA (RACV) for good discounts

Thank you will check these out.

Watch out for one way fees if you want to return to a different place... And if you are young (?? first hire??) ) note that many companies charge extra fees for those under certain ages... The previous posters have given REALLY good advice.

I'm 34, my partner is 26 so we should be ok there. I have just taken public transport when I have travelled in the past.

Duly noted on the one way charges. I imagine we will be heading back to Launceston.

 

[andye]

Amex Plat Charge and most ANZ cards will cover excess if not in home city. As said travel insurance is another way round what is often a very expensive optuon

 

[Maisy33]

Great advice. I downloaded maps.me (I didn’t have wifi) this is great for directions instead of google maps.

 

[drron]

And just having spent 10 weeks in Tassie google maps is hopeless once off the major tourist routes.