Requirements For Renting | Budget Car Rental

The minimum age to drive a vehicle with Budget is 21 years of age. All drivers must hold a current, full and valid drivers licence, that has been valid for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. A young driver surcharge may apply.

To drive a Budget vehicle in Australia, you must hold a full, current and valid drivers licence that has been held for a minimum of 12 consecutive months. A learner, provisional, probationary or restricted licence is not accepted.

If the licence is not in English, an International Drivers Licence is required. Please see Do I need an International Drivers Permit? below.

Digital driver licences (with the correct endorsements) are accepted for any Budget rental in the following states:

  • New South Wales
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Victoria

You must present a valid licence appropriate for the vehicle that is to be rented.

All digital licences will be checked live at the time of rental, a screenshot or photo of the licence is not acceptable.

A digital licence does not replace a physical licence and you should still carry your physical card when travelling outside the issuing state or territory.

If your drivers licence is in any language other than English, it must be accompanied by an approved translation such as an International Driving Permit, issued in accordance with the United Nations Convention on road traffic.

An International Driving Permit is not a stand-alone document and must be carried with your valid domestic drivers licence.

Yes. A temporary licence issued as a replacement for a lost licence or due to a change of address is accepted and will be checked for validity at time of collection.

Drivers must have a current form of ID to validate licence details.

Regardless of how you pay, when you start your rental, a pre-authorisation hold will be placed on your bank account for the duration of the rental. In addition, depending on your payment method or type of booking, additional Pre-authorisation holds will apply.

 

Pre-Authorisations

Type of Booking

Payment method

Pre-authorisation details

 

Passenger Vehicles

Pay Later / Pay at counter

Debit Card

The amount as shown on your Rental Agreement

Plus

$200

Credit Card

$0

Pay Now

All payment methods

The value of optional extras, added at the counter

Plus

$200

Please note the Pre-authorisation will be reflected as one amount on your bank account.

 

At the end of your rental

  • Final applicable charges will be processed after your rental is returned; and if applicable any unused portion of the pre-authorisation hold will be released back onto your card.
  • The time it takes to release the pre-authorisation hold is not within our control. Depending on your bank, the money is usually released from hold within 7-10 working days. If you have any queries regarding the time it takes to release this pre-authorisation hold, we recommend you contact your bank.
  • As this is a temporary hold the pre-authorisation amount will not show as a transaction on your statement. Avis will not be held responsible for any overdraft fees incurred.

Share the drive and relax while someone else takes the wheel. Only those whose names are recorded on the Rental Agreement may drive a Budget vehicle.

For more information on additional drivers including any applicable charges please click here.

You must present a physical, valid credit or debit card as well as a current, full and valid drivers licence, all in the drivers name. Any additional drivers must also be present at the time of rental and provide a current, full and valid drivers licence.

Please note: Budget does not accept cards presented on phones/watches and doesn’t allow contactless payment methods such as pay-wave. You must present a physical card.

Your Rental Agreement details your personal information, your vehicle information, payment method, coverages and rental preferences. Remember to read it carefully as it's a legal binding document. 

A Rental Agreement is the document you sign prior to each rental. A Master Rental Agreement is signed when you join Budget Fastbreak. It details your contact information, preferred payment method, coverages and rental preferences. It allows for faster handling of your reservation which means you can get on the road sooner.