Gold Coast Car Rental FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an example of one-way rental?

A one-way rental, also known as a vehicle relocation, is when you drop your hired car at a different branch than where you picked it up!

For example: You pick up a car in Sydney. You drive up to the Gold Coast. You’ll fly from the Gold Coast to Singapore, so you can’t drive back to Sydney. No worries! You can just leave your car with our Gold Coast Airport branch.

Can I hire a car in the Gold Coast with an International Drivers Licence? 

Yes! If you have a valid international driver’s licence, visitors to Australia are welcome to hire a car with us! 

Are you staying in Australia for more than 3 months? You may need to transition to an Aussie driver’s licence, depending on the state or territory you are travelling in. Just ask our friendly Gold Coast team if you need more advice!

Do Redspot car hires come with insurance?

Yes, all Redspot car hires come with our Standard Cover auto insurance to help give you peace of mind. We also have additional options for greater liability reductions, such as Collision Damage Waivers or Super Collision Damage Waivers. For comprehensive cover, check out our All-Inclusive package for a stress-free ride! 

Can P Platers hire cars in the Gold Coast?

Normally, P platers are not eligible for hiring cars in Australia. However, Redspot is more than happy to offer our key services to provisional driver’s licence holders! 

Please be advised that our full vehicle fleet is limited to licence holders older than 25. There will be a daily provisional licence surcharge, so we can maintain safety and services for all our customers. 

We want to make sure you’re in the know for every detail of your rental pricing. Be sure to check out our Standard Fee & Charges guide for more information. Additional rent conditions for provisional drivers include:

  • You must have had your driver’s licence for at least 12 months from the date of your rental collection. 
  • You must pay using a valid credit or debit card, including any relevant bonds. 
  • There will be a small surcharge for drivers younger than 25. 

What documents do I need to hire a car in the Gold Coast?

To hire a Redspot rental car, you will need:

  • A valid credit/charge card or a purchase order/prepaid voucher if you have one. 
  • A valid driver’s licence and the licence of any other drivers using the car. If your licence is in another language, you also need an English translation as provided by your embassy or national traffic authority. 
  • If your licence does not list your current address for any reason, you will also need to provide proof of your current address, such as a utility bill
  • If you are not an Australian citizen, you will also need to provide your passport

Can you hire a car with your passport in the Gold Coast?

No, you cannot hire a car in Queensland or the Gold Coast with your passport alone. You need a valid driver’s licence to be eligible to rent a car. 

However, you may be required to bring your passport with you if you are not an Australian citizen. Please bring a physical copy of your licence with you, as photos or an e-licence cannot be accepted. 

Can you hire a car under 25 in the Gold Coast?

With most Aussie rental companies, you cannot hire a car if you are under 25. 

Not at Redspot! We don’t want age to stop you from having an awesome holiday. We offer underage hiring services to driver’s licence holders aged 21 to 25. 

Please note that for Young Drivers, there is a small daily surcharge. Additionally, hired cars must be limited to ECMR, ECAR, CDAR, and IDAR class vehicles. Provisional licence holders can reduce damage cover up to $330. 

Do I need a car to get around the Gold Coast?

The Gold Coast has a wide range of public transport options, servicing locals and visitors alike. 

However, do you want to design your own Gold Coast schedule? If you’re heading off the beaten path, hiring a car in the Gold Coast could be exactly what you need!

 Is there a maximum age for hiring cars in Australia?

No, there is no maximum age where you are no longer allowed to drive in Australia or with Redspot. 

Is it okay if I return my car early?

Yes, you can return your car early with no trouble at all! Please note that unless you’ve booked through our All-Inclusive Package, there is no refund for early returns or voucher payments.  

How much does it cost to hire a car in Gold Coast?

The cost of your rental varies a lot! If you need an affordable ride (or like surprises) why not check out our Mystery Vehicles deal?

What happens if my rental car breaks down?

Life happens, and nobody can predict a car breakdown. That’s why Redspot offers 24-hour roadside assistance for all of our rentals, so we can be there for you whenever you’ve broken down. 

Looking for more breakdown coverage, or want to be covered if you run out of fuel? Check out our Premium Roadside Assistance to guarantee your peace of mind. 

Can I use my phone as a sat nav in car?

Yes, you can and you should! Our rentals do not come with GPS systems. However, if you need automated guidance on your trip, most of our cars are equipped with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. This way, you can stay safe while driving with hands-free navigation. 

We also recommend bringing a USB or USB-C connector to use the location services in your car’s facilities, as we do not provide these connectors ourselves. 

What is a mystery car rental? 

The Mystery Car Rental is our deal for the brave and adventurous (or people not picky about their cars)! Mystery car rental is simple. For a reduced price, we’ll determine a vehicle on pick-up for you. We’ll be sure to tell you all the vital details before final pick up, such as how many people it seats or if it’s automatic or manual as well. 

Can somebody else drive a rental booked in my name? 

Yes, so long as they are registered and they have presented their driver’s licence to our staff during vehicle pick-up. Usual T&Cs will apply to other drivers. 

Can I return my car with an empty gas tank?

We offer the following options when it comes to refuelling your rental car:

  • Prepay for the full tank your vehicle has at the start of your rental period. You’ll be paying a discounted rate, and you don’t have to worry about refuelling the car when you return it. However, there is no refund for unused fuel. 
  • We will refuel the vehicle for you, and charge a higher rate for the fuel you’ve used. 
  • Refuel the car before you return it. Try to fill it right up to avoid any extra charges. 

What if I return my car dirty?

At Redspot, we clean your car after every hire so you don’t have to worry about it! Just be sure to return your rental the way you found it, remove any rubbish and bring your belongings with you.

We give your car a general cleaning. This includes vacuuming and cleaning the seats, floor, dashboards, windows and steering wheel. If the vehicle needs more intensive cleaning, such as steam cleaning, we may need to charge a fee for the service. Speak to our friendly staff to learn more. 

What is ‘On-Airport’ car rental?

‘On-airport car rental’ means that a car rental company has a physical office inside the airport terminal. Usually, this also means they have rental cars available onsite. 

That said, not all airports have a car park specifically allocated for rental vehicles. There may be dedicated parking bays within car parks instead. Whichever the case, we list specific details on each Redspot location page so you know exactly where to pick up your new rental! 

Redpsot is an on-airport car rental company in the Top 30 airports across Australia, including the Gold Coast. There are no shuttle bus wait times with us! 

Is there a camera in my rental? 

Yes, some rental cars may have a dashcam or rearview camera installed for safety reasons. We value full transparency. This is why Redspot will tell you in the rental agreement if your vehicle is equipped with either camera. 

Additionally, your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. Rest assured that no internal cameras are filming you inside your rental car. 

Can I book more time with my rental car?

Got a chance to extend your holiday, or just not ready to face the world again? No problem! Give the branch you got your rental from a call to extend your rental period or call 1300 668 810. 

If there’s an availability we’ll be happy to extend your rental period! However, please keep in mind this will influence your rental rates. 

Should I prepay for a rental car?

Yes, prepaying for a rental car is generally the safest option! By prepaying for your rental car, you are making sure you’re getting the best value for hire rate. Prepaying also offers you the best chance of securing the exact vehicle you want. 

Planning on travelling during holiday seasons like Christmas or New Year? Prepaying is the best way to ensure that your journey can go off without a hitch! 

Car Rental Locations near the Gold Coast

Gold Coast Airport

Gold Coast Airport

1 Eastern Avenue, Bilinga, 4225

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
6:30 am - 9:00 pm6:30 am - 9:00 pm6:30 am - 9:00 pm6:30 am - 9:00 pm6:30 am - 9:00 pm6:30 am - 9:00 pm6:30 am - 9:00 pm

Surfers Paradise

Surfers Paradise

32 Trickett Street, Surfers Paradise, 4217

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
8:00 am - 4:00 pm8:00 am - 4:00 pm8:00 am - 4:00 pm8:00 am - 4:00 pm8:00 am - 4:00 pm8:00 am - 4:00 pm8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Brisbane International Airport

Brisbane International Airport

Level 2 Arrivals Hall, 32 Airport Drive, Brisbane International Airport, 4008

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
6:00 am - 11:00 pm6:00 am - 11:00 pm6:00 am - 11:00 pm6:00 am - 11:00 pm6:00 am - 11:00 pm7:00 am - 11:00 pm7:00 am - 11:00 pm