REQUIREMENTS FOR RENTING REQUIREMENTS FOR RENTING

For Australia, the minimum age for rentals is 21 years of age, EXCEPT those under 25 years can ONLY rent:

(a) Passenger vehicles in Groups A - Economy Manual , Group B - Compact, Group C - Intermediate, Group S - Compact SUV and Group K - Intermediate SUV; and

(b) Commercial vehicles in Groups A - 4x2 Single Cab Ute, Group C - Delivery Van, Group F - 4.2m Moving Van, Group G - 4.2m Tray , Group H - Hitop Van and Group L - 4x2 Dual Cab Ute.

For New Zealand, the minimum age for rentals is 21 years of age.

Drivers must hold a current and valid licence (not being a restricted licence, learner’s licence or provisional licence) to drive the category of Vehicle for at least 12 consecutive months;

To drive a Budget vehicle in Australia;

(a) Drivers must hold a current and valid licence (not being a restricted licence, learner’s licence or provisional licence) to drive the category of Vehicle for at least 12 consecutive months;

(b) International Driver licences are accepted on “face value” but must be in English, or if not in English, the renter must have an English translation thereof. 

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

Digital Drivers Licences (DDLs) issued by a Verification Authority in an Eligible Country MAY be accepted by the Budget as a valid form of identification for all purposes in which physical driver's licenses are currently accepted, PROVIDED that they meet BUDGETs security and authenticity requirements issued by the issuing Verification Authority (see below).

Eligible Countries

As at the date of this policy, DDLs issued by a Verification Authority in the following countries/states are accepted by the Budget :

(i) Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria); 

(ii) Brazil 

(iii) China 

(iv) Estonia 

(v) India 

(vi) Singapore 

(vii) United States of America (Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi and Utah).  

The following countries/states are either exploring, or in the process of developing DDLs:

(i) New Zealand;

(ii) South Africa;

(iii) United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales); and

(iv) United States of America (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming, Washington DC and Puerto Rico)   

Once the Verification Authority in these countries/states issue DDLs, they will be accepted by the Budget. Budget may at any time, and for any reason, reject a DDL.

BUDGET’s Security and Authenticity Requirements 

Budget will not accept a DDL unless it meets the following criteria:

1. DDLs must be issued by a Verification Authority of an Eligible Countries listed above;

2. DDLs must use strong encryption and biometric authentication to ensure their security; 

3. DDLs must be in English or, the customer must carry an accurate English translation;

4. DDL must include a photo of the holder of the DDL; and

5. DDL must include a QR Code, Barcode or similar scannable image allowing access to the DDLs information. 

Budget may reject or accept any DDL that does not meet, at its sole discretion, the requirements set out in this policy. 

Please note, a photo of a physical driver’s licence is NOT regarded as a valid DDL under this policy.

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

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. Budget 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.

Local Renters

If you are a local renter, living within 100km of the rental location, and your booking is not linked to a corporate account or insurance replacement rental additional identification and payment conditions will apply.

In such cases, local renters must provide valid identification and complete a verification process before the rental can proceed.

Security Deposit

A refundable security deposit will apply:

• $1,000 standard, or
• $500 if you select the Zero Excess product

Deposits must be secured with a valid credit card or bank-issued Visa/Mastercard debit card. Cash is not accepted.

Required Documentation

To verify your identity and address, you must provide:

• A valid driver’s licence (name and address must match)
• Proof of address, dated within the last 30 days such as:
  • Utility bill
  • Phone bill
  • Government-issued correspondence

Additional Verification

• Two additional contact numbers (business or personal) are required
• Your mobile phone number must be confirmed via a verification call
• In some cases, your listed employer or contacts may be called to verify your identity

Access to Information

Customer information obtained under this policy may be accessed by Company employees with a legitimate business need, such as, but not limited to, State Manager, Rental Sales Agent, Operations Director, Security or Legal, with appropriate approvals from senior management, to access such information for a specific purpose and an approved period.

Where required by law, the Company will provide such information to a third party.

Use and Disclosure of Information

Customer information will only be accessed and used for legitimate employment/business purposes or in connection with a rental from an airport location. Customer information may be used by the Company to accept or decline a rental.

If customer information is collected in accordance with this policy, the customer may be entitled to access this information in compliance with applicable law.

Information Storage

Any personal information collected in the course of this policy will be stored securely by the Company in compliance with applicable law.