Hiring a Car in New Zealand

FREEDOM can arrange rental cars throughout New Zealand, allowing you to explore one, or both islands at your own pace. Please find below an overview of the main terms and conditions of hire.

The Rental

On collection of your vehicle, you will be asked to sign the hire car company’s own terms and conditions of hire, making the rental subject to a direct contract between you and the car hire company. A credit card bond will be taken to cover any additional costs, such as damage excess, fuel and airport surcharges.

Driver Qualifications

Drivers must be 21 years of age or older and have held a valid driving licence for at least one year. There is no upper age limit.

Additional Drivers

The spouse or partner of the main driver can be included free of charge. To add further additional drivers, there is a fee of $5.00 + GST per driver per day (maximum $25 + GST per hire), payable locally.

Child Safety Seats

Child safety seats are compulsory in New Zealand. They are available to hire from $17 + GST per day (maximum $65 + GST per hire), payable locally. To ensure availability, child safety seats should be requested when you book your hire car.

Mileage & Minimum Hire

All car rentals include unlimited kilometres.

There is a minimum rental period of 3 days for all single island hires, and 7 days for hires incorporating both the North and South Islands.

One Way Hire

FREEDOM offers free one way rentals between most cities and regions in New Zealand, with the exception of 3 to 6 day single island hires, where a $150 fee applies ($250 for Group W and V vehicles), payable locally.

Route Restrictions

Cars may only be driven on properly formed sealed, metalled or gravel roads.

Cars may not be driven on Skippers Road or Ninety Mile Beach, as well as some other remote unsealed roads.

Interislander Ferry

In most instances, hire cars can be taken on the Interislander Ferry. Space must be pre booked and purchased at the time of booking.

Airport/Ferry Terminal Collection

A locally payable Airport/Wharf Fee of NZ $47 + GST per hire is applicable on all hires commencing or terminating at an airport or ferry location (unless Accident Excess Reduction has been pre-purchased – please see below).

Insurance

Insurance for vehicle loss or damage is included in all rentals. However, the renter is liable for the following excess, which will be held as a credit card bond:

Group P, F, V and W vehicles – $4,250 + GST
All other vehicles – $3,500 + GST

This excess can be reduced to NIL by pre-purchasing Accident Excess Reduction in the UK for £22 per day (£24 per day for Group P, F, V and W vehicles). This cover also includes Airport/Ferry Collection Fee.

Alternatively, the excess can be reduced to $550 by purchasing Accident Excess Reduction on collection of the hire car, at a cost of $29 per day ($31 per day for Group P, F, V and W vehicles).

Please note, you are not covered for loss or damage to the vehicle caused by driver negligence or reckless driving, nor for overhead, underbody or water damage, or damage to tyres or windscreens.

Roadside Assistance

Mechanical breakdown assistance is included in your hire.

Callouts for non-mechanical faults, such as running out of fuel or locking your keys inside the car are chargeable, with insurance for this available to purchase locally.