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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.
Thrifty accepts popular credit and debit cards. It does not accept cash payments.
Thrifty may levy an additional charge for any of the following (though not limited to) cases:
Additional drivers
Child seats
Snow cover
GPS
Extended areas of use
Thrifty allows immediate family members living with the renter to driver the vehicle free of charge. Others will need to be added to the Rental Agreement as an additional driver for a daily surcharge. 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 Thrifty is 21 years old, and there is no maximum age specified. If the vehicle is from the Adrenaline or Dream collection, the minimum driver age is 25.
It is inferred that Thrifty allows service dogs in vehicles, but I couldn’t find anything specific to this.
If you cancel your Thrifty booking through a no show, or even with prior notice, depending on the payment method selected, there may be a cancellation charge applied.
Thrifty can supply, for a fee, child seats, 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. Child seats can not be added to a vehicle from Thrifty’s Adrenaline or Dream Collection vehicles.
Thrifty may apply a surcharge to credit card transactions, as specified in your Rental Agreement.
In the unfortunate event of an accident:
If there are injured people, contact emergency services first.
Contact Thrifty 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 Thrifty.
Thrifty allows driving in snow, however it is essential that you check beforehand that your intended vehicle is permitted for driving in the snow and if any additional equipment, such as snow chains, is required.
If your vehicle is using snow chains, you must ensure that the vehicle complies with any legal requirements relating to fitment of snow chains and that the snow chains are fitted correctly. Failure to do so will be considered a prohibited use and you will be fully liable for any resulting damage. Renters must at all times ensure plastic hub caps are removed prior to fitting snow chains. Snow chains must be tightened after 50m to avoid damage to the rims and hub caps must be replaced on the vehicle when the chains are removed.
To rent a hire car in Australia, Thrifty requires that any driver has a current drivers licence, (both physical and digital are accepted), 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 accepted. Should the licence be in a language other than English, Thrifty will accept a certified translation in English or an International Driving Permit.
Thrifty 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 Thrifty. Improper use may void coverage and loss damage waivers and leave the renter liable for the entire costs of any damage. Please see the Thrifty Rental Agreement for detailed coverage on prohibited uses and driving restrictions for Thrifty rental vehicles.
Thrifty 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 (unless it is a 4WD) on:
Northern Territory:
The Oodnadatta Track,
the Plenty Highway,
Finke Road between Alice Springs and Oodnadatta;
Queensland:
The Old Telegraph Track section of the road to Cape York,
Boggy Hole (Finke Gorge National Park),
the Old South Road from Maryvale to Finke;
South Australia:
The Simpson Desert,
the Strzelecki Track,
the Birdsville Track;
Western Australia:
The Tanami Track,
Gunbarrel Hwy,
Gibb River Road,
the Bungle Bungles;
Any other such location or region reasonably specified by Thrifty to you as an area or region which is prohibited.
You must never take the rental vehicle on:
Northern Territory:
The Lost City in Litchfield Park,
Central Arnhem Road and Arnhem Land in general, or during the dedicated wet season;
Jim Jim and Twin Falls in Kakadu National Park,
Tanami Road,
the Gunbarrel Hwy,
the Plenty Highway between Alice Springs and Boulia;
Queensland:
on K’Gari (Fraser Island),
Moreton Island,
North Stradbroke Island,
in the Weipa Region, it is prohibited to drive North of Telegraph Road past Bramwell Junction Roadhouse, East of Telegraph Road and Peninsula Development Road, and South of Aurukun and the Archer River Roadhouse on Peninsular Development Road, without a pre-planned permit due to Queensland government registration restrictions; or
on Bourke Development Road from Chillagoe to Normanton,
Cape York during the months from December to May inclusive,
Savannah Way from Normanton to Borroloola,
the Bloomfield Track;
South Australia:
The Strzelecki Track,
the Oodnadatta Track,
the Birdsville track;
Western Australia:
The Canning Stock Route,
the Old Gunbarrel Hwy or on the Kalumburu track including but not limited to Mitchell Plateau;
Thrifty supplies EVs with at least a 90% charge. If the vehicle is returned with a charge level below this, you will be charged the EV Battery Recharging Service fee to return it to the expected level. If you return an EV charged below 15% you will be charged an additional Low Battery Recharging Service fee.
Charging cables and keys are supplied and the fee (excluding GST) for the loss of either are $500 and $50 respectively.
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. Thrifty will not be responsible for removing any personalisation created in the EV — you are responsible for logging out of any personal accounts at the end of your rental.
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.
The government or council (as applicable) may have road user charges applied to EVs based on the kilometres driven. Thrifty will charge any such applicable fees to you, based on your departure location. Thrifty will pass on the applicable fees collected from you to the appropriate government or council bodies.
If you are unsure what fuel to use, please ask the station attendant or contact the Thrifty rental location for advice. Thrifty 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, Thrifty will charge you the refuelling cost along with a surcharge fee. If you have chosen a pre-paid fuel option, then the above is not applicable.
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. If EVs are refunded with a charge level below 15%, there is an additional charge for a Low Battery Recharging Service.
Thrifty 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 Thrifty 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, 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 a Thrifty location that is within 100km of your place of residence, then Thrifty may need to complete some additional checks, and you will also need to pay a bond of $500 (passenger and commercial vehicles) or $1,000 (Prestige and Adrenaline vehicles) to secure the rental. You will need to provide at least two recent (within the last 3 months) utility bills from your place of residence.
To pick up a Thrifty 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 Thrifty as soon as possible.
Thrifty vehicles are covered by standard motor vehicle insurance; however, an excess 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 Thrifty Terms and Conditions.
The rental vehicle excess can be reduced through the purchase of collision damage waiver products of which Thrifty offers both Premium Protection (which can reduce your liability) and Ultimate Protection (which can remove your liability).
Excess insurance is also available through third party providers such as Prosura.
After hours pickup and drop off of Thrifty 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. After a short grace period, late returns of Thrifty hire cars will attract a charge for a full additional day of rental.
Thrifty 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. For any mechanical breakdowns related to a vehicle fault, there is no charge.
The security deposit is a downpayment 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.
You have the option of purchasing Toll Cover to pre-pay a flat daily rate for your toll charges incurred during your rental. If you choose not to purchase Toll Cover, Thrifty does not pay any toll charges and it is the sole responsibility of the hirer to pay all toll charges incurred during the rental period. In the event that Thrifty receives an unpaid toll notice relating to the period the vehicle was on hire, Thrifty will charge the hirer an administration fee and pass the toll liability to the driver.
Thrifty levies a Young Driver fee per day for drivers of 24 years and under, the charge is capped at seven days per rental period.
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.