VEHICLES & DRIVING VEHICLES & DRIVING

Due to the dynamic nature of our rental fleet, Budget is not able to guarantee a specific make or model of a vehicle. Car groups and models may vary by location and may not be available at all locations.

Pets or animals are not permitted in any Budget vehicle, with the exception of assistance and guide dogs for individuals who are visually or hearing impaired or who require assistance dogs for emotional or other forms of support. As with all rentals, additional cleaning fees may be charged in the event the interior of the vehicle requires unusual or unexpected vacuuming, sanitation or shampooing.

All Budget Australia vehicles are non-smoking.

Generally the removal of seats in vans is not permitted. Please check with the location directly for further information.

Yes you must wear a seatbelt to ensure the safety of you and your passengers as well as others. The use of seatbelts is mandatory in Australia.

Children of certain weight ranges may be required to use an approved child safety seat. For more information on these seats please click here.

Yes. Budget has your commercial needs covered. We offer a range of commercial vehicles including cargo and passengers vans as well as utes for hire. View our commercial fleet here.

Pre-Paid

Pre-pay a full tank of fuel from us at the start of your rental, at a price competitive with the local fuel stations. You will not need to refill the tank before returning and will have nothing more to pay for fuel. This is the best option for high kilometre journeys where you will use 3/4 tank of fuel.

DIY Fuel

Return the vehicle with a full tank of fuel purchased from a local fuel station. This is a good option for low kilometre journeys.

Pay on Return

We will charge you a price per litre to refill the tank. Pay on return price may be higher than the local fuel station. These prices are indicated on your Rental Agreement in ‘Fuel Services’. This is a good option if you are short on time.

Unfortunately no. Budget vehicles must only be used on a road which is properly formed and constructed as a sealed, metalled or gravel road.

You and any Authorised Driver must not, unless authorised in writing by Budget, drive or take the Vehicle:

In Queensland

• On Highway No. 27: beyond Chillagoe in a westerly direction 
• On Highway No. 1: beyond Normanton in a southerly direction and no further north than Karumba 
• Beyond Cooktown to the north or Lakeland to the west and no further north than Cape Tribulation on the Coast Rd 
• On a coastal road north of Cape Tribulation, unless the vehicle is a 4WD vehicle 
• On the Bloomfield Track north of Cape Tribulation 

In New South Wales

• Above the snow line; being Jindabyne, from the beginning of June until the end of September

In Victoria

• Above the snow line; being Bright, from the beginning of June until the end of September

In Western Australia

• On the Kalumburu Rd, Tanami Rd, Canning Stock Route, Gunbarrel Hwy and Holland Track 
• On the Gibb River Rd, Broome-Cape Leveque Rd, Bungle Bungles, Karijini National Park and Windjana Gorge unless the vehicle is a four-wheel drive

In Northern Territory

• Gove Peninsula 
• On the Jim Jim Falls Rd to Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls

The user manual in the glove compartment of the vehicle; or the label inside the fuel door or flap will specify the fuel to use. There will be a release lever or button inside the car that will open the fuel door. Look for a label with the wording “Diesel Fuel Only” or “Unleaded Gasoline Only”. Please contact the pickup location if you need assistance with this.

You are permitted to drive approved vehicles on the snow or above the Snow Line PROVIDED:

(a) You have accepted and paid for Snow Cover at the time of collecting the vehicle;

(b) You use appropriate driving equipment (such as snow chains) suitable to the vehicle;

(c) It is otherwise reasonably safe and responsible to drive the Vehicle on snow or above the Snow Line in the circumstances and weather conditions.

Please see our Snow Cover page for full restrictions and details.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Above the Snow Line; being Jindabyne, from the beginning of June until the end of September.

VICTORIA

Above the Snow Line; being Bright, from the beginning of June until the end of September.

TASMANIA

Above the Snow Line; around Cradle mountain and any other areas that receive snow in Tasmania all year round.

Please see our Snow Cover page for full restrictions and details.

Preferably, indications that you are going above the Snow Line should book, or be provided with an AWD or 4WD Vehicle.

This can include a range of Vehicles from Group E, K, H and W and some Signature Series Vehicles.

Current Vehicles as of 2024:

• Group E - Toyota Camry
• Group E - Subaru Liberty
• Group S - Mitsubishi ASX
• Group S - Hyundai Kona
• Group K - Kia Sportage
• Group K - Subaru Forester
• Group K - Nissan X-TRAIL ST 2WD
• Group K - Toyota RAV4 GX AWD
• Group K - Nissan X-TRAIL ST AWD
• Group K - Mitsubishi Outlander
• Group H - Toyota Kluger GXL 2WD
• Group H - Hyundai Santa Fe Active
• Group H - Isuzu MUX
• Group L - Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Group L - Toyota RAV 4 GX Hybrid AWD
• Group L - Toyota RAV4 GX Hybrid 2WD
• Group W - Toyota Prado GXL 4WD
• Group W - Mitsubishi Pajero Sport Exceed
• Group W - Isuzu MUX AWD

Please see our Snow Cover page for full restrictions and details.

The climatic snow line is the boundary between a snow-covered and snow-free surface. The actual snow line may adjust seasonally, and be either significantly higher in elevation, or lower.

The permanent snow line is the level above which snow will lie all year.

Please see our Snow Cover page for full restrictions and details.