Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to drive a rental car in Australia?

Don’t sweat the paperwork with Redspot! For mine spec rentals, all you need to bring for vehicle collection is your valid driver’s licence. Depending on your company agreement*, you may also need to present a valid credit card. 

Travel managers, get in touch with our Sales team to set up seamless travel management with  Redspot Connect. We’ll guide you through our Redspot Connect Portal, where you can choose your ideal billing setup, keep track of travel logistics and manage agreements easily. You can also load any required documents here (such as the company credit card) for easy payments.

*If your company is set up for split bill back or all paid for by the driver, please present your driver’s licence AND credit card at pickup. Remember to check with your employer and ensure you have all the correct details to get rolling.

Whether your company’s rental setup is full bill back, split bill back or all paid for by the driver upon pickup, we’ve got your papers covered so you can focus on the road. 

Renting a car from Whyalla Airport for personal use? In that case, you’ll need:

  • A valid credit card or debit card** or purchase order/prepaid voucher***.
  • A valid driver’s licence and the licence of any other drivers using the car. Licence not in English? Please present an official translation from your embassy or home nation’s traffic authority. 
  • Does your licence show your current address? If not, please provide documented proof of address, such as a utility bill. 
  • If you are not an Australian citizen, you must provide your passport

**Debit cards: Must have the customer’s name displayed and the ability to make online payments, e.g. Visa or Mastercard debit cards.

***Purchase order or prepaid vouchers: Customers must also supply a valid credit card or Visa/Mastercard debit card for any incidental expenses (extensions, fuel charges, etc.).

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What is included in a car hire?

In Australia, standard car hire usually includes the base rental fee, damage cover options, roadside assistance and GST. When you book Redspot’s All-Inclusive OR Standard Package, you also get:

  • Free additional drivers
  • No cancellation or amendment fees
  • 24/7 support from local car hire experts
  • Contract fees
  • Premium location fees
  • Registration recovery fees 

Call (08) 7648 4840 to chat with our friendly Whyalla Airport team and drive plans your way.

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Is fuel included in car hire?

When you hire a car from Redspot Whyalla Airport (or any of our 40+ branches across Australia), your car’s tank should already be full. No need to dash off to work running on fumes!

What makes a car mine spec?

Mine spec vehicles are built to be heavy-duty and are equipped with specialised features and accessories designed to handle various mine site conditions. A mine spec car hire must also meet safety regulations for safer driving through rough mine site terrains. 

In Australia, mine spec cars may include safety features such as: 

  • Reflective strips, LED lights, mine bar, sand flag for improved visibility
  • UHF radios and satellite phones for communication
  • Emergency Triangles
  • Call signs
  • Reversing alarm
  • Flashing strobe
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Wheel nut indicators
  • Wheel chocks
  • Redarc brake controller
  • Dual battery system and battery isolator
  • Heavy duty suspension
  • Emergency kits
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How much does it cost to hire a mine spec ute?

Costs will vary depending on your plans! For example, vehicle type, booking duration, chosen damage excess cover, seasonal factors and more will affect your total fees. That said, average daily hire rates may range from $90 to $300 for smaller vehicles like 4WD utes. For larger trucks, this can range from $120 to $450.

Check out our handy Redspot rental car booking tool to scope out the latest rates. Pick and choose from a wide range of well-maintained, quality vehicles and steer through your workday, no sweat.

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Do mine spec rental cars have a km limit?

Yes, mine spec rental cars typically have a km limit per day. The exact amount depends on your location. For example, you can get up to 140 km free p/day ($0.30 per excess kilometre + GST) for Redspot mine spec rentals in Regional WA, SA and NT. For QLD, NSW, ACT, VIC and TAS, get up to 130 km free p/day ($0.30 per excess kilometre + GST).

Do you cover all the mining specifications for light vehicles?

With Redspot, all mine-specific vehicles (mine-spec utes, trucks, 4WDs, 12-seater buses, etc.) cover mine compliance requirements. This includes mine-spec ‘light vehicles’, i.e. with a gross vehicle mass of 4.5 tonnes or less. Smaller, standard vehicles not listed as ‘mine spec’ are not mine site compliant.

Who can hire a mine spec vehicle?

Redspot ‘mine-spec’ or ‘safety-spec’ vehicles are available for hire to businesses that require specialised transport for Aussie worksites with safety compliance rules (mining sites, large construction project sites, etc.). This includes mining companies, construction companies, government agencies and more.

Can P Platers hire cars?

You sure can! We’re one of the few Aussie companies that give the green light for local P-platers over 21 to rent a car, with mine-spec and commercial vehicles included. 

Keeping you safe is our top priority, so we have a few safety rules designed to make sure you get from Point A to Point B without a hitch. 

If you are a P-plater, you must:

  • Hold a Provisional P2 licence (green Ps).
  • Hold a driver’s licence that is valid for a minimum of 12 months from the date of rental collection.

When you rent a car, remember to factor in the daily surcharge. This surcharge applies to all drivers holding an Australian provisional driver’s licence. Keep in mind that P-platers can also reduce damage cover to a maximum of $330. 

Aged between 21 and 25? You have access to our range of small to medium-sized sedans and hatchbacks. Provisional drivers over 25 years old can enjoy renting any vehicle available from our entire fleet. 

Check out our Provisional Drivers guide for all the details to get you safely on the road. 

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What is the minimum age to rent a car from Whyalla Airport?

For most Aussie car rental companies, the minimum age is 25. However, with Redspot, we don’t think age should keep you from getting the job done! Drivers aged 21 years old and above are welcome to rent with us. This includes mine-spec and commercial vehicles. 

Check out our Young Drivers guide for all the details to get you rolling. (Note: Vehicle size restrictions for Young Drivers do not apply for mine-spec and commercial vehicles. Speak with your employer to confirm details.)

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What is the oldest age to drive a rental car?

None! At Redspot, we say that age is just a number. That’s why we welcome anyone over 21 years old to rent with us and gear up for the work week ahead.

What vehicles do you offer on a C-class driver's licence?

Good news – all Redspot vehicles are available to drivers with a C-class driver’s licence, including commercial and mine spec. Check out our full vehicle fleet to find your ride.

Can more than one person drive a hire car?

Yes, more than one person can hit the road with a hire car with Redspot (including mine-spec vehicles). Just make sure any drivers present their valid driver’s licence at vehicle pick-up, and you’ll be ready to hit the road on any work trip! Usual T&Cs apply.

Can I still register an additional driver if I have already picked up my vehicle?

Yes, 100% – any additional drivers will simply need to present their valid driver’s licence to the nearest Redspot branch. Our team will then validate and scan the ID to our secure vault. Unfortunately, we cannot accept emailed IDs, so please make sure to bring a physical ID to keep your workday rolling.

Are your vehicles well maintained?

They sure are! At Redspot, we take loving care of our fleet, whether you’re on the road for a few days or a few months. Our vehicles average 6 months old, so you know your ride is always fresh and ready to roll. Additionally, we thoroughly inspect and clean all our vehicles after they are returned to ensure tip-top condition. 

For long-term car hire, our swapping-out process will keep your rental ride spot on! Every month, our expert team will get in touch via phone to check in on any maintenance issues and the kilometre (km) reading. 

Once km reaches a certain amount, your Redspot vehicle will be serviced or swapped out for a fresher ride, depending on your needs. We keep on top of the maintenance so you can tackle the mine site conditions stress-free. Alternatively, contact our friendly team at (08) 7648 4840 (branch direct) or 1300 668 810 (toll-free) to arrange swap-outs or request more information.

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Do you have to clean a hire car before returning?

Our dedicated team cleans your Redspot hire car after every rental, so you don’t have to. Simply throw away any rubbish and take your belongings with you, returning your rental car to the way you found it. 

We vacuum and clean all Redspot car interiors. This includes seats, floors, dashboard, steering wheel and internal windows. Car exteriors aren’t forgotten either – we wash and dry them so your rental car sparkles like a million bucks.

In case your hired car requires intensive cleaning (beyond the service mentioned above) or steam cleaning, we may need to charge a cleaning fee. Speak to our friendly staff for more info.

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Do rental cars have GPS navigation?

Unfortunately, our rental cars are not equipped with GPS or satellite navigation systems. Don’t worry; we’ve still got you covered for navigational help! 

Most Redspot cars have Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, so you can enjoy hands-free navigation and stay safer while driving.

Please bring along a USB or USB-C connector to use the location services we have available. We don’t provide mobile connectors, so it’s best to come prepared to make full use of these services.

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Do you deliver vehicles?

Redspot offers Deliver and Collect for Whyalla Airport and other mine-spec locations. This means that our team can deliver any booked vehicle straight to your desired mine spec site as part of your booking. Contact us at (08) 7648 4840 (branch direct) or [email protected] to organise your lift.

Can I leave my car in your depot throughout my hire period?

Unfortunately, customers cannot leave personal cars at the Redspot depot due to limited space. These car spots are reserved for your rental vehicles! If you require transportation to our depot, please contact our team at (08) 7648 4840 or [email protected]. We may be able to arrange pick-up/drop-off plans with local branch staff, depending on availability.

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Can I vape or smoke in a rental car?

Most Aussie rental cars run a smoke-free fleet, including Redspot. Vaping and smoking are best done outside and away from your rental car. This helps you avoid any extra cleaning fees you may be charged if your car rental smells like vape/smoke upon returning it.

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.

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