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Compare car hireThis summary is for illustrative purposes only and may not apply to all reservations. We try our best to keep it up to date and relevant, but we can't guarantee that it is accurate or error-free. If you have questions regarding a specific rental, please contact our customer care team.
East Coast accepts Amex, JCB, Mastercard, UnionPay, and Visa credit cards, Mastercard and Visa debit cards, and both ApplePay and GooglePay. East Coast does not accept cash, nor do they accept pre-paid cards or vouchers for the security bond.
East Coast may levy an additional charge for any of the following (though not limited to) cases:
Additional drivers
Child seats
GPS
East Coast allows additional drivers for a daily surcharge of $11 per day (capped at $50 per rental). Note that any additional nominated driver, as with the primary driver, must have a full drivers licence and be present when the vehicle is collected at the beginning of the rental period.
The minimum age for renting a hire car with East Coast is 21 years old, and there is no maximum age specified. There is a Young Driver Surcharge for drivers under the age of 25.
East Coast does not allow animals in their rental vehicles.
If you cancel your East Coast booking through a no show, or even with prior notice, depending on the payment method selected, there may be a cancellation charge applied.
East Coast can supply child and booster seats for a fee of $11 per day capped at $90 per rental, but it is the responsibility of the renter to check and ensure any child safety seats are fitted correctly prior to commencing the rental. You may install your own child safety seat or capsule of any type in our vehicles at your own risk.
East Coast does not apply a surcharge to credit or debit card transactions.
In the unfortunate event of an accident:
If there are injured people, contact emergency services first.
Contact East Coast with relevant information including the licence plate, make and model, colour (if known), nature of fault, precise location of vehicle, contact number, and whereabouts of keys.
Prepare a written accident/damage report.
Submit the report to East Coast.
East Coast accepts Australia-issued digital licences.
East Coast prohibits the driving of their rental vehicles above the snow line.
To rent a hire car in Australia, East Coast requires that any driver has a current drivers licence, in English, that is valid for the type of vehicle being rented, and that has been held for at least one year. Provisional licences (as long as they satisfy the above) are accepted, while Learner Permits are not. Should the licence be in a language other than English, East Coast will accept a certified translation in English or an International Driving Permit.
East Coast accepts all Australia-issued digital licences.
East Coast prohibits using its vehicles in ways that risk damage, violate the law, or breach safety standards. This includes reckless driving, driving under the influence, using the wrong fuel, or ignoring warning lights and signals. Causing damage to the roof, undercarriage, windscreen line, or from overloading, towing improperly, or attaching unauthorised items is not permitted and driving in a manner that causes these types of damage can impact on coverage. Off-road driving, driving through water, or entering car parks with low clearance is also banned.
Only authorised drivers may operate the vehicle, and it must not be used for racing, carrying passengers or cargo for payment, or committing unlawful acts. Smoking, fitting unauthorised equipment, or driving in restricted or unsafe areas such as beaches, and fire trails is not allowed. Where driving in snowy regions is permitted, snow chains must be fitted and adjusted properly, and hubcaps removed to avoid damage. Repairs require prior written approval from East Coast.
Improper use may void coverage and loss damage waivers and leave the renter liable for the entire costs of any damage. Please see the Rental Agreement for detailed coverage on prohibited uses and driving restrictions for East Coast rental vehicles.
East Coast vehicles must not be operated off-road, on any beach, river, stream, through flood waters, or any road where the police of governing authority has issued a warning.
You must never take the rental vehicle:
into or out of a Restricted Territory;
on any Unsealed Road;
above the Snow Line;
off road;
onto any road where East Coast have notified you that the use of the vehicle is prohibited;
on any road where the police or any government or statutory authority has issued a warning, caution or which has been closed;
between mainland Australia and Tasmania in either direction;
onto any island with the exception of:
through any river, stream, creek or tidal crossing;
through flood waters or on flood prone roads or on any road where the state or condition of the road make the use of the Vehicle unsafe;
in Queensland to:
drive north of Chillagoe or west of Georgetown;
drive north of Cooktown or Laura;
drive on the Burke Development Road;
drive north of Maggieville;
drive on Unsealed Roads, including those that are north and west of Mt Isa;
drive on the Bloomfield track; or
drive on the Savannah Way;
in Western Australia to:
drive outside any town or city limits between sunset and sunrise;
drive north of Exmouth;
drive east of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Township; or
drive east of Esperance;
drive north of Kalgoorlie on Goldfields Hwy 49;
drive on Eyre HWY, east of Norseman;
drive on HWY 138 (Marble Bar Rd), north of Newman;
drive on HWY 95, north of HWY 136 (Narutarra-Munjina Rd);
drive on HWY 354 (N W Coastal Hwy) north of HWY 136;
In Northern Territory to:
drive outside any town or city limits between sunset and sunrise;
drive on any Unsealed Road;
drive in excess of any kilometer limit in the Rental Agreement;
drive on the Buntine HWY
drive on Central Arnhem Road
drive on Roper HWY
drive on Gunlom Falls Road
drive on Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls in Kakadu National Park; and
drive on or in the Lost City in Litchfield Park.
East Coast supplies EVs with at least an 80% charge. If the vehicle is returned with a charge level below this, you will be charged the EV Charging Fee to return it to the expected level.
Any underbody or battery damage caused by driving an EV over foreign objects is not covered by damage liability reduction or waiver products, and you will be liable for this damage.
EVs must not be driven through an automatic car wash. Any damage that occurs from driving an EV through a car wash is not covered by any damage liability reduction or waiver products, and you will be liable for all costs associated with damage caused from this prohibited use.
If you are unsure what fuel to use, please ask the station attendant or contact the East Coast rental location for advice. East Coast will supply the rental vehicle with a full tank of fuel, and expect the vehicle to be returned in the same condition. If you return the vehicle without a full tank of fuel, East Coast will charge you the refuelling cost along with a surcharge fee.
Renters are expected to return EVs charged to the same level as when the vehicle was collected and fees will apply if this is not the case.
East Coast does not pay any infringement notices and it is the sole responsibility of the hirer to pay all fines in relation to infringement notices issued during the rental period. In the event that East Coast receives an infringement notice for a speeding, parking, or other traffic infringement relating to the period the vehicle was on hire, the hirer will be charged an additional administration fee of $71.50, and the liability for the fine.
If your driving licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit or an English translation is required. Renters with licences from countries who are not part of the International Driving Permit Agreement should carry a certified translation of their licence.
If you want to rent from an East Coast location that is within 150km of your place of residence, then East Coast may need to complete some additional checks, pay a bond of $1,000 to secure the rental, and provide a utility bill (no more than three months old) from your place of residence.
To pick up an East Coast rental car you need to satisfy both the licence and payment criteria:
You must present a valid and accepted credit card or bank issued Mastercard or Visa debit card (see Accepted Forms of Payment above).
You must meet the licence rules.
For security purposes, the owner of the credit card entered on the payment step when making a booking must be present to collect the vehicle and is required to sign the Rental Agreement.
If you are going to be late to pick up your car, please contact East Coast as soon as possible.
East Coast vehicles are covered by standard motor vehicle insurance; however, an excess of between $5,500 and $6,600 may be charged for any loss or damage incurred during the hire period, regardless of fault. This coverage may not be applicable if the vehicle has been used in a manner in contravention of East Coast Terms and Conditions.
The rental vehicle excess can be reduced through the purchase of collision damage waiver products of which East Coast offers both Loss Damage Waiver and Premium Loss Damage Waiver options.
Excess insurance is also available through third party providers such as Prosura.
After hours drop off of East Coast rental vehicles may be available — check with the depot concerned, likewise contact the rental location if you wish to extend your rental. In the event of an early return, no refund applies. All hires are counted in 24 hour durations. Late returns of East Coast hire cars may attract supplementary charges.
East Coast provides 24/7 emergency roadside assistance for breakdown and accidents. If a roadside assistance callout relates to something that is your fault (for example running out of fuel, losing the keys, locking the keys in the vehicle, or if a wheel needs to be changed due to a puncture), there is a callout fee associated with roadside assistance unless you have purchased Premium Roadside Assistance. For any mechanical breakdowns related to a vehicle fault, there is no charge.
The security deposit is a downpayment of up to $1,000 pre-authorised to your credit card at the commencement of your rental. Deposits can vary depending on the type of vehicle and other determinants. All deposits must be paid for by credit card.
East Coast use number plate recognition to identify when a vehicle is used on a toll road, and this is automatically linked to your reservation. The toll and a service fee of $1.00 (per toll) is added to your account for any toll road you use.
East Coast levies a Young Driver fee of $16.50 per day for drivers of 24 years and under.
Remember - this summary was prepared for illustrative purposes only - always refer to the rental provider's full rental agreement and terms and conditions for up-to-date and complete details.