What You Need To Know For Your First Car Rental Experience

If you are planning a visit to Auckland you should start getting excited right away.

This beautiful city on the North Island of New Zealand is home to stunning beaches, gorgeous parks, lush rainforests, and plenty of sites of cultural significance, that can easily be reached from the city centre.

The best way to get to them is by hiring a car. However, if you have never done this before, especially in a foreign country, you’ll understandably have some questions, and possibly reservations, about doing so.

Therefore, to put your mind at ease, we’ve compiled this guide of what you need to know for your first car rental experience. Hopefully, this will give you a firmer idea of what to expect.

Why rent a car?

The city has a very good public transportation system, including trains and buses that can easily take you anywhere you want to go. However, you’ll be bound by their timetables, which could result in you having to arrive or leave certain places as later or earlier then you would like to.

By contrast, hiring a car gives you the freedom to travel around exactly how you want to at your own pace. It also offers you the convenience of not having to wait at train or bus stations and physically carry heavy bags around with you.

There are several places you can reserve a vehicle in Tāmaki Makaurau, including at Go Rentals’ car rentals in Auckland Airport. Daily rates depend on the make and model, but are usually quite reasonable.

Who can hire a car in Auckland?

If you are over the age of 21, you can hire a car in Auckland, so long as you have a credit card. That said, if you are under the age of 25, you might have to pay an additional fee.

Those with an Australian or English driving licence that has at least six months to run, probably won’t be required to provide any other forms of identification.

However, if your driving licence is in a language other than English, it will need to be translated. Ideally you should do this in your own country before you arrive in New Zealand, though the New Zealand Transport Agency may be able to assist you in Aotearoa.

What type of car should I hire?

The type of car you hire should depend on what you want to see and do during your time in Auckland. If you plan to go off-roading or visit national parks, you would be better off with a 4WD or SUV.

However, if you plan on staying within the city limits, you can’t go wrong with something like a Mazda.

Is car rental insurance mandatory in Auckland?

The ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation), cover accident-related personal injury costs for all motor vehicles in New Zealand. Therefore, when you hire a car in Auckland, it automatically comes with basic insurance – regardless of the make and model of the car and the company you hire from.

That said, the level of coverage you get above that will depend on the policies of the car hire company you rent from. So, to protect yourself fully, it is a good idea to take out comprehensive insurance, as this should give you more peace of mind.

What are the road rules in New Zealand?

Every country has a different set of road rules, so you should take the time to familiarise yourself with those in New Zealand before you hire a car there.

The first thing to note is that they drive on the left-hand side of the road (just like they do in Australia and New Zealand). This means that steering wheels are on the right-hand side of the car. If you are visiting from the USA, Canada, Asia or South American, this is an immediate adjustment you will have to make.

It’s worth remembering that speed limits are listed in kilometres not miles, with 100 km/h being the norm on expressways and motorways and 50 km/h in residential and built-up areas.

Other things to consider are that seatbelts are mandatory, and you can get fined for not wearing them correctly – including passengers in the backseat. Additionally, if any of your passengers are children aged seven or under, they must sit in a child seat.

What to do in an accident?

Unfortunately, even the most careful of drivers can find themselves involved in an accident whilst on the road. Should you be in this situation, it is important not to panic and remain calm.

If the accident is not a major one, try to park your vehicle in the first available safe spot. Assuming they are not being overly intimidating or aggressive, exchange details such as their name, car registration and phone number. After doing this you can leave the scene, though you should inform the car hire company as soon as possible.

If you find yourself involved in a more serious accident situation, you should immediately call the emergency services on 111 and seek medical attention if required.

You must also advise the car hire company of the accident, as they will inform you of what you need to do next. This process will differ between companies.