FAQ: During the Rental

Can I extend the rental duration?

Extending the rental duration is possible at time of check-out or during the rental itself (according to Europcar acceptance). You have to contact or come in person to the nearest rental location at least 2 hours prior to the expiration of the rental period. .The extension is subject to vehicle availability and extra payment. A complimentary authorisation may be requested on your credit card. CAUTION : Do remember that you are only covered for the period mentioned on your printed rental agreement.

What happens if the car breaks down or if I have an accident?

Europcar's nationwide car hire locations provide clients with 24 hour emergency road side assistance in Australia.

The number in case of a break down for our standard fleet is 1800 625 035, this is printed on the Rental Agreement and Rental Agreement Wallet.

Roadside assistance is free for all mechanical damage defects not resulting from Renter misuse of the vehicle. We charge for all non-mechanical defects such as lost keys, keys locked in the vehicle, flat battery due to lights being left on etc. Costs charged can be obtained by contacting Customer Relations on 1300 720 055.

In the event of a breakdown or an accident, you will receive prompt assistance. You must always remember to complete an accident report form, if an accident happens, giving a full account of the circumstances in which the accident happened.

 In the event of an accident, always make out a jointly agreed report with the other person involved (you'll find one in the folder containing the vehicle's documents). If you don't, you could be held liable for the cost of repairing the damage done to the rental vehicle.

 Please read carefully the rental terms and any instructions provided at time of pick-up.

What do I need to do in the event of loss of keys?

In the event of loss of vehicle keys, you will need to contact the Europcar check-out location. Depending on where you are, it could take between 24 and 48 hours for you to receive the new keys. Additional service charges will apply as Roadside Assistance does not cover non-mechanical defects such as, lost keys, keys locked in the vehicle, flat battery due to lights being left on etc.  Costs charged can be obtained by contacting Customer Service on 1300 720 055.

What do I need to do in the event of Loss or theft of the vehicle?

The first thing will be to call the local police authority and next, to call the rental station. The vehicle key & the loss or theft declaration to the police will have to be provided to the nearest Europcar location.

For detailed information & country specifics, please consult the Europcar rental terms and/or the Assistance brochures available at our counters.

Your financial responsibility will depend upon the protection you subscribed to at time of rental.

Do I need to carry out any vehicle maintenance during the rental?

Our vehicles are ready to rent once they have successfully passed all the preparation checks.

During your rental and according to the mileage run, you will be required to perform customary inspections (oil level, tyre pressure ...) in accordance with reasonable and prudent use.

You should stay alert for any signal from the warning lights on the vehicle's dashboard and take any necessary protective action.

For detailed information & country specifics, please look at the Europcar country rental terms and /or the Assistance brochures available at the rental station.

What are the road rules in Australia?

Different states have different road rules. For lists of the road rules, please visit the relevant motor authority sites:

State Road Rules

What are the rules for driving in the Outback?

Travelling through the Northern Territory (NT) offers a very exciting experience of a unique climate, diverse landscapes and extraordinary people from many cultures. Excellent highways make access to attractions easy and comfortable.

There are however some restrictions regarding where vehicles are not to be driven. These restrictions generally apply to driving vehicles on unsealed roads. Some vehicles are not covered by insurance in these areas.

Information on road conditions and driving standard vehicles (2-wheel drive) and 4 wheel drive vehicles in the Northern Territory:

Drivers should be aware that three quarters of the land is deserts and remote areas.

Many of the most popular places of interest can be reached in a standard 2-wheel drive vehicle.

Time is a major consideration when planning an NT trip. Considerable extra time is required to travel to some places where a 4WD is required.

All restrictions on where our vehicles can be driven can be found in Europcar's standard Terms and Conditions.

Between the months of November/December to April/May the Top End experiences the tropical wet season. All 4WD tracks become impassable due to the heavy rains. It is difficult to know exactly when the wet season will start and finish as it varies each year.

- Flash flooding can occur and vehicles may become stranded and water damaged. Vehicle recovery costs and water damage are the responsibility of the renter.

- Many roads in the Northern Territory (NT). are unfenced and stock or wildlife can create driving hazards, therefore it is not advisable to travel at dusk, dawn or throughout the night.

- Road trains can be three trailers in length or over 50 metres. When overtaking, allow 1 to 2 kilometres of clear road ahead to be able to pass safely.

- Whilst 4WD's are designed to be driven on unsealed roads there are restrictions on where you can drive your Europcar 4WD. For further information on this please refer to section 3 of the Renters Guide. If after reading the renters guide you are still unsure if a Europcar 4WD is suitable for your itinerary please contact the Europcar office in the region you are travelling in.

For safety reasons we recommend vehicles not to be driven into remote areas on undefined roads or tracks, this will also void insurance.

- It is an offence to travel on Aboriginal Land without a permit. This is the renters' responsibility.

- Permission is also required for travel through pastoral properties.

If you have any questions regarding driving in the Northern Territory please contact one of the Northern Territory Stations and our staff will be happy to help.

Lost items

If you need to contact Europcar regarding any lost items, please call the location where you returned the vehicle.

What permits do I require to drive in Australia?

If you have an International Drivers Licence it will be honored by Australian law provided you are in Australia for less then three (3) months.

If you plan to stay in Australia for more than three months and intend to drive for that period you are required to obtain an International Drivers Permit.

An International Drivers Permit is written in nine languages and serves as an officially recognized translation of your licence.

What kinds of petrols or fuels are used in Australia?

Europcar's fleet of vehicles is varied, whilst most passenger vehicles run on unleaded fuel there are other vehicles such as trucks, some buses and some 4WD's that use diesel fuel.

 It is the responsibility of the renter to put the correct fuel in the rental vehicle, if you are unsure of what type of fuel your vehicle takes please ask a Europcar staff member.

Prepaid fuel is available when picking up your vehicle. Please check with the Station Staff when collecting your vehicle for our special Fuel Price.

What do I do in the event of an emergency?

In the case of an accident where medical assistance is required dial 000 for emergency help.

All Europcar rental vehicles are covered by a 24 hour Road Side Assistance Service. This can be accessed by dialing 1800 625 035.

What happens if I break speed limits?

Vehicle renters who deliberately speed may have their drivers licence confiscated immediately wherever they are stopped. Fines are often high and they must be paid.

If you leave the country before paying a fine, notification will be sent to your country of residence. Therefore it is important to observe all posted speed limits.

Are seatbelts required in Australia?

Legislation in Australia requires both drivers and passengers to wear correctly fitted seat belts.

What are the laws regarding driving with children?

Children aged under six months must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear facing child restraint.

Children aged between six months and under four years must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, rear facing child restraint OR a forward facing child restraint with an in-built harness.

Children aged between four years and under seven must wear an approved, properly fastened and adjusted, forward facing child restraint with an in-built harness OR an approved booster seat which is properly positioned and fastened.

These child safety seats are available to hire from Europcar locations, subject to availability.

What are the parking rules in Australia?

In major cities, parking areas will often have pole signage advising of parking restrictions.

During business hours some public parking areas are limited to a 1 or 2 hour parking zone. Please ensure you observe parking restrictions.

Some cities also use parking meters, so be sure to check for and feed the meter if there is one.