FAQs
Find answers to your car and truck hire questions by browsing the categories below:
Type the location you wish to collect your vehicle from and the dates and times when you need to collect and return.
Be sure to specify your age and select 'Find a Vehicle' to see what's available from your preferred location during the date and time requested.
Select your preferred vehicle and click on 'Book now'.
Select any extras, such as child seats, protection options, or mobile GPS units that you'd like to add to your rental.
To complete your booking you then just need to provide us with your personal details to finalise and confirm your booking. In some cases, payment details are also required upfront.
Our Quote and book function on the Thrifty home page allows you to book your vehicle and obtain an instant confirmation, depending on your preferred location and vehicle requirements.
In some cases however, not all vehicles can be instantly booked, and we may need to check availability. If showing as Apply, complete the request process to ensure your booking goes into our Apply queue. This means that one of our reservations consultants will check availability with our locations and advise you accordingly.
If you have already collected your vehicle and want to make a change, refer to your Rental Agreement for the pickup location and simply contact location direct so we can best manage your request.
When using the 'Quote and book' function, 'Apply' options will sometimes appear against particular vehicle types if demand is high.
If clicking an 'Apply' booking, your request is sent through to our Reservations Department, whereby they will check availability with the location and confirm your booking within 24 hours of your request.
If you are unsure of your flight number, then indicate the terminal and we'll make sure we are ready to greet you.
Accepted Driver's licences must be in English with photo and produced at the commencement of the rental, and must not be expired. Should the valid driver's licence be in another language or have no photo Thrifty will accept a certified translation in English or an International driver's permit.
Should the licence not have a photo, an International Driving Permit must accompany it.
Please note:
• Any vehicle that holds more than 12 people requires an LR licence
• Any vehicle larger than a 3 tonne truck requires an MR licence
• Any vehicle that holds more than 21 people requires an MR licence
• Any vehicle that is a 8 tonne truck or larger requires a HR licence
Any renters aged 21 to 24 inclusive (whether the main or additional driver) incur an age surcharge of $27.50 per day, and can access our standard range of vehicles. Ultimate Protection (UP) is not available to drivers in this age group.
Call our contact centre on 1300 367 227 if you are in need of a rental for more than 30 days, so we can provide you on a longer term rental rate. Or, enquire about long term leasing online
Utilise our Quote & book function on the home page to see if one-way rentals are available between your preferred locations, or call our contact center on 1300 367 227 to check for participating locations for your preferred route and request a quote.
Each additional driver will be charged $5.50 (including GST) per rental day capped at a maximum of $27.50 per 30 day rental period. The Additional Driver Fee is subject to the Admin Fee and Premium Location Surcharge where applicable.
Some Corporate rate customers, Auto Club members and Bluechip Members are exempt from the Additional Driver Fee.
No, all non 4WD vehicles are not permitted to travel on unsealed roads. There are some exceptions for 4WD's outlined below, which are detailed in Thrifty's standard Terms and Conditions. Please read these, in conjunction with the below if you are planning to visit any remote areas of Australia with your Thrifty vehicle. It is recommended you speak with your preferred pickup location - Our staff know the local areas well, and can let you know if any conditions apply on your planned routes or destinations.
In Western Australia, 4WD's are permitted to travel on unsealed government gazetted roads. If vehicles are travelling interstate or into remote areas, prior written approval by Thrifty must be given. Travelling into some areas of Western Australia require National Park passes - these can be purchased from the Perth Tourist Centre.
In South Australia & Kangaroo Island, 4WD vehicles can be used on gazetted unsealed roads. Travelling into some areas of the South Australian outback may involve the need for a Desert Pass permit. All vehicles are permitted to travel to Kangaroo Island if collected from a corporate location only, and conditions apply when transporting Thrifty vehicles by Ferry.
In QLD, vehicles may travel to Cooktown from Cairns Airport, Cairns City and Port Douglas locations only. Please note some travel via the Bloomfield Track, Gulf Track, Peninsula Developmental Road and Telegraph Track is not permitted and conditions apply when travelling in these areas.
Thrifty allows selected 4WD's to be driven on Morton and Stradbroke Islands on application. Please note that conditions and special liability charges apply for Island travel in this region.
In the northern regions of Australia, there is no reduced liability option for 4WD vehicles when travelling on the Tanami Track, Canning Stock Route, Gulf Track, Cape York Peninsula Track and Mitchell Plateau.
Any damage sustained to Thrifty's vehicle as a result of a collision with an animal in remote areas between sunset and sunrise are not covered under any of Thrifty’s Damage Protection Options. All damages & recovery costs are the responsibility of the renter.
Any damage to overhead, under-carriage, or damage caused by water is not covered by any damage liabilities and are the responsibility of the renter.
Beach travel in Thrifty vehicles is not permitted, inclusive of any beaches in the Broome region.
Unauthorised entry into aboriginal lands, or breach of any permit regulations result in breach of Thrifty's standard Terms & Conditions, and any damage protection options (including standard) does not apply.
SA now gives licence holders the option to use an electronic licence, whilst NSW and SA now accept digital license holders.
Please bring your physical licence with you when collecting your vehicle.During the June to October Australian snow season, only some vehicles are permitted to be taken above the snow line, and must have a mandatory Thrifty Snow Pass. Snow Pass is an additional charge to Standard Cover or any other protection option purchased to reduce your Damage Recovery Fee. Special conditions apply when travelling to the snow and purchasing Snow Pass.
Yes you can. Additional Drivers can be added at any time during your Rental and at any Thrifty location, but as the main driver, you’ll also need to attend to re-sign the Rental Agreement.
Yes – and if you find a new apparent defect or condition different to what is noted on your Rental Agreement and/or Vehicle Condition Report supplied, you must inform the Thrifty employee for joint examination to ensure our records can be updated.
Whilst we maintain our own records of vehicle condition that falls outside of Fair Wear & Tear, you’re more than welcome to take photos of your vehicle before you leave.
To pickup your Thrifty hire vehicle, please bring the following with you:
- Booking confirmation number
- Driver's licence
- Credit card
If you need more than 2 seats, you will require an FCAR or larger vehicle for your booking. Just make sure you select the appropriate seat at the time of booking in our options and we'll ensure that it's waiting for you upon your arrival.
Baby seats are fitted forward facing, unless you notify Thrifty otherwise. Please reply to your confirmation email or phone 1300 367 227 if you would like a rear facing baby seat. Please Note: it is up to the accompanying adult to fit the seat as Thrifty takes no responsibility for the incorrect or unsafe installation of your seat.
Some locations offer our Prepaid Fuel option. Prepaid fuel enables you to pay in advance for your fuel, so you can bring the vehicle back empty without having to incur any additional cost. You'll also find that our Prepaid Fuel rates are sometimes cheaper than what you'll normally pay at the pump, so take advantage and save time and money.
If you don't have time to stop for petrol, but don't think you'll be using a full tank, let us fill it up for you. You'll be charged the location's refuelling rate at the time you return your vehicle, so please ask your counter staff upon collection.
Alternatively, to avoid any extra refuelling charges from Thrifty, simply make sure you go to a petrol station, just before returning your vehicle to bring it back with a full tank. This will avoid any additional refuelling charges on your rental.
If you are planning on travelling with a young child, we recommend you give Thrifty a call, or drop in to one of our conveniently located depots to ensure that the bus rental you have your eye on indeed has this capability.
Our expert team know the ins and outs of fitting baby and booster seats in vehicles, and you may even be able to hire out a baby or booster seat as one of our optional extras when booking with Thrifty.
It's important to note that Single Vehicle Accident (SVA) fees may also apply depending on protection options purchased and pickup location. For details and exclusions, refer to our terms and conditions.
• Call the Thrifty Roadside Assistance number 1800 811 506, if necessary; and immediately contact the police in case of third party liability and the emergency services in the event anyone is injured.
• Do not leave the vehicle without making sure it is safe.
• Write down names and addresses of all people involved and any witnesses. Never admit liability.
• All vehicle repairs must be conducted with the formal approval of your nearest Thrifty location upon notifying them regarding the accident.
The Single Vehicle Accident fee applies Australia wide when renting from non- metro Thrifty locations - unless Ultimate Protection is purchased where it is available. The single vehicle accident fee is charged in addition to the Damage Recovery Fee.
Applicable SVA is noted on your Rental Agreement when collecting and signing for your vehicle.
The Single Vehicle Accident fee can vary when travelling remotely in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Refer to the Terms and Conditions for full details and confirm at your renting location prior to pickup.
We may make a reasonable estimate of Damage or on completion of an assessment to debit your credit card or Thrifty Account that estimated amount up to but not exceeding the damage recovery fee and single vehicle accident.
If you haven't already, read the answer to the above question regarding clearance heights to make sure you are prepared for a safe and damage-free journey in your Thrifty truck rental.
Bear in mind that undercarriage damage is not covered by collision damage waiver protection, meaning you are liable for any cost of damage incurred to the underside of your rental vehicle. All of this information is outlined in our extensive terms and conditions, so have a read of these if you need further clarification. Alternatively, pop in to your local Thrifty truck rental location, or give our friendly team a call with any questions. We are ready and waiting to help!
Credit Cards must be bank-issued in the name of the authorised renter. The credit card holder must be present at the time of collection.
Debit cards are only accepted at some Thrifty locations - Please check with our friendly counter staff at your renting location for more information.
Cash payments are not accepted.
When collecting your vehicle, in addition to paying for your rental, Thrifty requires a deposit (as security) to cover any additional charges such as fuel, additional kilometres, and the Damage Recovery Fee (DRF).
Deposits range between $200 and $1100 depending on the vehicle type, pickup location and payment type. Debit Cards are only accepted at select Thrifty locations and usually incur a higher deposit.
This charge will be taken and released upon return of the vehicle in alignment with the terms and conditions of your rental agreement. Refund into your account may take 3-5 business days of bank processing time to become available.
Please note we do not accept CASH deposits.
The same rules which apply to your rental payment also apply to your deposit - Credit Cards used must be bank-issued in the name of the authorised renter, and the credit card holder must be present at the time of collection. Check with our friendly counter staff at your renting location for more information.
You can use all the major credit cards and debit cards, providing they have the Visa/MasterCard emblem/logo on them. It is important to note credit card must be in the name of the authorised renter, be bank-issued, and the credit card holder must be present at time of collection.
Debit cards are only accepted at selected locations.
Please note, payments are subject to a credit card fee to cover merchant costs. The credit card fee will be debited to your credit card when processing payment. The credit fees include GST and are as follows:
Visa / Mastercard Debit Card 0.70%
Visa / Mastercard Credit Card 1.10%
Diners Card 3.29%
American Express / JCB 3.75%
The following credit and debit card fees apply at Thrifty's major locations and include GST. These can vary between locations, so please ensure you check with your rental location prior to pick-up on the applicable costs for this time. Please note, reservation confirmation documents or quotations do not include the card surcharge, as they are applicable at time of payment.
Visa/Mastercard Debit Card 0.70%
Visa/Mastercard Credit Card 1.10%
Diners Card 3.29%
American Express 3.75%
When paying by credit or debit card, Thrifty only accepts cards which are bank issued, and hold the VISA/MASTERCARD/AMEX/DINERS emblem.
Infringements can also be issued for parking offences– failure to purchase a parking pass/ticket, exceed time limit, not park in direction of traffic, disobey no stopping sign/clearway, park on nature strip. Upon receipt of a parking infringement, if the ticket is not paid prior to the due date Thrifty will be issued with a reminder notice and inturn incur Thrifty’s administration fee. If you wish to dispute the parking infringement, please contact Thrifty to discuss further.
Thrifty’s vehicles are fitted with etags. When travelling on a toll road, the trip will be picked up either by the tag or vehicle registration. The tolls will then be charged to the card provided on your rental, you will be charged for the toll costs plus a daily service fee. If a card was not associated with your rental, the Roads & Maritime services will issue an invoice to the renter either via email or post.
Rentals booked under a corporate account will depend on the account set up, please refer back to your account manager.
A copy of the toll invoice can be obtained online – www.myetoll.com.au/thrifty or by contacting the Roads & Maritime Services of NSW on 13 18 65.
Pricing can also vary from location to location, as it may vary depending on where & what you want to rent. If you're thinking Thrifty, it's best to book in advance. That way you'll get the cheapest rate possible for your rental.
Don't forget to check out our specials, you'll find some great offers in there for you.
If you're more than one hour late, but less than two hours late, we charge one third of your rental rate, PLUS an extra day of Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee (VRRF), protection (if purchased), additional equipment charges and any additional daily surcharges specified in your rental agreement.
If you're more than two hours late, but less than three hours late, we charge two thirds of your rental rate, PLUS an extra day of Vehicle Registration Recovery Fee (VRRF), protection (if purchased), additional equipment charges and any additional daily surcharges specified in your rental agreement.
Once you are three hours late, we start charging for a full day of charges, by however many days you are late in returning, beyond the 3 hour period.
Where Prepaid fuel is not purchased upon commencement, and the vehicle is not filled up prior to return, the refuelling charge will apply at the completion of your rental.
Fees also apply when paying by credit card, to cover merchant fees.
If you're moving house and need to bring a pet with you, it's best to ask a family member or friend if they can travel to the location with your pet in a separate car. There are also courier services that can help with the transport of animal companions.
As with returning the vehicle in an untidy state, cleaning fees may apply at the discretion of each Thrifty location if pet hair or other material is found in the vehicle.
Every truck and van is different, and as with our truck and van interior dimensions, clearance heights across our fleet are not all standard. If you're moving house or apartment and will need to access an underground car park, be sure to check clearance heights with your property manager before hiring a truck.
If you're unsure or have any questions about handling your new truck or van rental, talk to your chosen Thrifty location team for specific dimensions of the vehicle. This way, you'll have all of your questions answered well in advance and will feel confident enough to hit the gas the minute you pick up your impressive new rental vehicle.
If you don't drive or hire trucks regularly, no stress. Just call or visit your local Thrifty office and we'll be happy to give you the basic information you need to make your truck or van rental as smooth as possible.
However, at Thrifty, we pride ourselves on not only having the best fleet of van and truck rentals out there, but also having all the boxes ticked when it comes to optional extras or accessories.
If you are renting a truck to assist with the often-stressful process of moving house, or carrying large amounts of cargo, there's no need to go anywhere else for the bits and bobs you need to secure and move the load.
Thrifty has a large range of moving accessories available for rent from many of our pick-up locations, and these items can be booked at the time of booking in your vehicle hire. Whether it's ropes to secure your load, sturdy moving boxes or tape to keep everything together, our moving accessories for hire can take the stress out of big projects.
We also offer a range of insurance options, but be sure to read the terms and conditions of this cover before purchasing to learn what is and isn't covered by Thrifty.
In short, yes, you need to make sure that your hire vehicle is returned clean and empty of any rubbish, including pallets and milk crates.
We understand that moving can be a stressful and often messy process, so be sure to save yourself a bit of time at the end of your rental period to bag up rubbish, and if necessary, wipe down and vacuum the interior of the car.
Cars or rental trucks that are returned in a messy state may be subject to a cleaning fee assigned at the discretion of the lending Thrifty location.
Every business traveller has different needs when it comes to hiring a vehicle, and we're confident that one of the smartest moves a business professional can make is to partner up with Thrifty Car rental.
These include:
• Tailored rates
• Dedicated priority reservation lines for corporate accounts and account enquiries
• Personalised account manager
• Thrifty's Preferred Customer Program 'Blue Chip'
• 24 hour roadside assistance
• Over 260 locations Australia wide
• Completely Australian owned and operated
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We have provided them with preferred car rental rates. Alternatively, just quote your Thrifty Corporate Discount Number to any Travel company and they'll book in your vehicle rental for you.
Our flexibility and personalised service will ensure that you can book your vehicle rental without the hassles.
• Dedicated Account Manager to support all your vehicle hire needs.
• Tailored Vehicle Hire solution package on request.
• Tailored Competitive Rate Plans.
• Tailored long term rental rates are available.
• Credit card and Trading Accounts are available for payment terms.
• Access to the Thrifty Blue Chip Corporate Program for frequent travellers.
• Detailed monthly reports.
• Dedicated priority reservation lines for corporate accounts and account enquiries.
Find out more about our corporate accounts and enquire online at the business section of our website.
Damage liability, deposits, rental charges and payment please refer to your contract.
As a Blue Chip member, you must ensure all information you provide to us is true, accurate and complete. You must keep your details such as address driver's license details, and credit card details fully up to date, to ensure that we can always provide you the express service expected as a Blue Chip member!
You can update your details via the Blue Chip section of our website.
Reservations for New Zealand can be made by visiting www.thrifty.co.nz . To ensure you receive the Blue Chip Member rates simply enter BLUE into the Promotion Code Field. Please do not enter your Blue Chip number on this website. Upon arrival, present your Blue Chip Membership card, Drivers Licence and credit card when picking up your vehicle.
• Free One Class Upgrade
Being a Blue Chip VIP member, when you rent with Thrifty you'll receive a class upgrade, subject to availability.
• Exclusive Offers
Stay in touch with us and we'll send you exclusive VIP offers. So be sure to select to receive our special when you update your profile with Thrifty.