Frequently Asked Questions
Do rental cars have cameras?
Yes, some rental cars may have a dashcam or rearview camera installed for safety reasons. Here at Redspot, we value full transparency. That’s why we’ll be sure to tell you whether your vehicle is equipped with either camera in the rental agreement.
You can drive assured that none of our cars have any internal cameras installed in your rental vehicle. Your privacy is important to us, so we ensure that you can hit the road with 100% peace of mind.
Can I rent a car in Tasmania as a tourist?
Absolutely! Tourists are welcome to rent with us in Tasmania. Temporary visitors just need their valid overseas driver’s licence and passport to rent with Redspot.
If you love Tasmania enough to stay longer than 3 months, then you may need to transition to a local driver’s licence. This may depend on the state and territory you’re in, so be sure to check in with our friendly Launceston City team for local advice.
Please note that you must bring a physical driver’s licence to the kiosk. Certain digital licences or passports are not accepted as valid documents.* If your licence is not in English, we’ll also need a translated version from your embassy or national traffic authority.
Need more info? See our complete guide to renting a vehicle with an overseas licence.
*Digital licences or passports are accepted from the USA, Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
What are the rules for renting a car in Australia?
Renting a car in Australia requires that you:
- Be over 21 years old.
- Present a valid credit/debit card OR purchase order OR prepaid voucher in the renter’s name.
- Present a valid, physical driver’s licence in the renter’s name. Note: Digital licences, photos or copies are not accepted.
- Present valid driver’s licence/s for any additional drivers, who must be present at the time of vehicle pick-up.
If you are an international visitor, you must also present your physical passport and valid full driver’s licence at vehicle pick-up.
Make sure to bring an official translation of your driving licence if it is not in English! You may request translation documents from your country’s embassy or local traffic authority.
Do rental cars track your speed?
No, Redspot rental cars do not track your speed or monitor general activity in our vehicles to respect your privacy. That said, take it easy on the pedal!
If you get a speeding ticket or a fine in one of our vehicles, we won’t be able to pay the fee ourselves. In this case, we will email the bill to you and charge a $55 admin fee. Ultimately, it’s easier to drive within the speed limit and adhere to local road rules to make your journey as hassle-free as possible!
Can they tell if you vape in a rental car?
Most Aussie rental cars run a smoke-free fleet, including Redspot! Please smoke or vape outside and away from your rental car. This way, you can avoid any extra cleaning fees you may be charged if your car rental smells like vape or smoke as you return it.
What are the rules for renting a car in Tasmania?
To rent a car in Tasmania you must:
- Be over 21 years old.
- Present a valid credit/debit card OR purchase order OR prepaid voucher in the renter’s name.
- Present a valid, physical driver’s licence in the renter’s name. Note: Digital licences, photos or copies are not accepted.
- Present valid driver’s licence/s for any additional drivers, who must be present at the time of vehicle pick-up.
If you are an international visitor, you must also present your physical passport and valid full driver’s licence at vehicle pick-up.
Make sure to bring an official translation of your driving licence if it is not in English. You may request translation documents from your country’s embassy or local traffic authority.
How close to full does a rental car need to be?
We’ll fill your rental car before you pick it up! When returning your car rental, refuelling is your choice. Here are your refuel options:
- Prepay for a full tank at a discounted rate at the start of your rental period. This will save you the hassle of filling it up later, just note that there’s no refund for unused fuel.
- Refuel your rental vehicle before returning it. You can refuel the car yourself right before returning it (the fuel tank must show as full).
Only get charged for the fuel you use through our refuelling station on your return. This is available at a higher rate than the pre-paid fuel option.
If I purchase a full fuel tank, do I get a refund for any fuel remaining in the tank on return?
Unfortunately, you will not be refunded for any fuel left in your hire car. However, you will not be charged for any refills if you return the car with a full tank.
I got a speeding fine but my friend was driving the rental at the time. What do I do?
We suggest contacting your friend to ask that they take care of the fine. If you can, keep any evidence that you were not driving when the speeding occurred.
No matter who was driving at the time, we will need to send the fine to the address given to us at pick-up. In this case, please note there is an additional $55 administrative fee charged when this happens. To avoid the extra hassle and fees, please adhere to local road rules and keep your wallet and friendships intact!
Do rental cars have GPS navigation?
Unfortunately, Redspot cars do not come with GPS or sat nav (satellite navigation) systems. If you need navigational help though, never fear!
Most Redspot cars are equipped with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which allows hands-free navigation. This helps keep you safe while driving – we don’t recommend using your mobile phone for navigation otherwise.
Bring along a USB or USB-C connector to use the location services available in-car facilities. We do not provide mobile phone connectors, so it’s best to come prepared in case you’d like to make full use of these services.
Can you rent a car from Launceston and return to Hobart?
Yes! With Redspot, our Launceston and Hobart Redspot branches both offer one-way car hire (also known as vehicle relocation), depending on availability. This way, you can wrap up your Tassie adventures where you want, when you want. Chat with our friendly team at (03) 6733 1100 or 1300 668 810 to discuss your options.
Can you hire a car at Launceston Airport?
Looking to hit the ground driving as soon as you land at Launceston Airport? With Redspot, it’s easy!
Our Launceston Airport branch is ready and waiting to fit all your car rental needs right as you hop off the plane.
How long does it take to drive around Tasmania?
Depends on your route! A straight shot from Launceston to Hobart is 2 and a half hours. An anti-clockwise trip around the entire island can take up to 17 hours.
We recommend giving yourself time to truly experience everything the island has to offer, from the Tasman National Park’s soaring sea cliffs to the Tamar Valley’s lush vineyards. In total, exploring all of Tasmania can take 5-15 days!
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Launceston?
With most Aussie rental companies? The minimum age is 25, but at Redspot we don’t think age should keep you from getting out there!
Please be advised that there will be a few restrictions for young drivers. Hired cars available will be CDAR, ECAR and IDAR class vehicles. Provisional P2 licence holders can reduce damage cover up to $330, and there will be a small daily surcharge. Check our Young Drivers guide for all the details.
How can I avoid car rental cancellation fees?
Booking directly with Redspot? You don’t have to worry about cancellation fees, because we don’t charge any! We know that life happens when you least expect it and how important flexibility is on the road.
Please keep in mind that this may change if your booking is prepaid.
Additionally, if you’ve booked with a third-party agency (broker, GPS, OTA) then you will need to seek a refund from them directly. Unfortunately, Redpot cannot refund third-party rentals for you.
Questions? Contact our friendly Redspot team on 1300 668 810 (toll-free) for all the details.
How much does it cost to hire a car in Launceston?
Depends on what you have planned! Cost varies by vehicle type, how long you’ve booked for, add-ons, seasonal factors and more.
Check our Redspot rental car booking tool to explore the latest rates. Pick and choose from our fleet of well-maintained, quality vehicles and hit the road with the perfect match for you!
You've taken a bond on my credit card, when can I expect this to be returned?
With Redspot, your rental car bond is usually released within 3-5 business days after the vehicle is returned. Please note, this may vary depending on your bank or debit/credit card provider. If your bond has yet to be returned within the expected timeframe, contact the Redspot branch you hired the vehicle from and we will work with you to investigate the issue ASAP.
If there are any additional charges (damages, late returns etc.), these may be deducted from the bond before it’s refunded. This helps to cover costs such as repair fees and so on.
Queries or concerns? Please contact the Redspot branch you hired your vehicle from and our local team are more than happy to sort out any questions you may have.
Can my friend and I split-pay for the rental?
Yes, you certainly can at Redspot! Split payment is completely fine.
We just need one of you to be registered with us as the designated hirer. We also ask that the main debit or credit card is in the designated hirer’s name. This is just in case you need to make any extra payments, like booking extensions or refuelling charges.
Do I need car insurance in Tasmania?
Don’t even worry about it! Redspot vehicles come with Standard Cover insurance for your safety, in Tasmania and beyond.
If you’d like a little more protection, we’ve got you covered. Check out our Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) offers for even more peace of mind.
Do you install baby seats for us?
Your safety is our Number 1 priority at Redspot. We voluntarily comply with Australian state laws and safety policies and therefore cannot install child seats for customers.
However, we do offer detailed instructions on how to install a baby seat as safely and securely as possible during vehicle pick-up.
What if my car breaks down?
Unfortunately, breakdowns can occur in vehicles of all types and get in the way of your road trip, business travel or errand run. That’s why we offer 24-hour roadside assistance for all our vehicles.
Prefer to be fully covered for everything from lost keys to punctured tyres to running out of fuel? You can prepay for our Premium Roadside Assistance.