Frequently Asked Questions

Minimum age: 18 years, with a valid driver’s license.
Under 21? No problem—just note that liability reduction rates are slightly higher.

Yes! Restricted licences are fine as long as you follow their conditions. Keep in mind, liability reduction rates are higher for restricted licences.

Sorry, not yet! We want you to have the best experience, and that includes safe driving with a full or restricted licence.

Of course! Just ensure everyone shows up at pick-up with their licences and signs our agreement. Unauthorised drivers aren’t covered under our insurance policy—so it’s better to play it safe.

Absolutely! Our entire fleet is automatic, so you can drive with ease.

Most of our cars: 91 octane petrol.
12-seater vans: Diesel (road user charges apply).

Yes, we have a range of SUVs and minibuses with AWD for your adventures. Explore more on our SUV range and MiniBus range pages.

Nope! Snow tyres aren’t required here. But if you’re heading to the ski fields, snow chains might be handy (and we’ve got you covered—see below for details!).

Included: GST, a $3,000 highest-risk liability limit, and unlimited kilometres.
Extras: Tolls, road user charges (RUC) for diesel vehicles, and accessories.

Our included insurance (Highest Risk) provides:

• Damage coverage: Protects the vehicle you’re driving.
• Third-party liability: Covers damage to other vehicles or property.

However, you’re liable for up to the $3,000 highest-risk liability limit.

Want peace of mind? You can choose lower liability limits for an additional daily fee. Visit our Insurance and Liability Limit page for more details.

Two drivers are included for free. Additional drivers cost just $2 per day.

For petrol vehicles—yes, drive as far as you want! Diesel vehicles have RUC charges of 10 cents per kilometre.

Yes, we do! Here’s how it works:

• One-way hires: Available between our branches. Fees vary depending on your pick-up and drop-off locations and the season.
• Special deals: Keep an eye on our Deals page for relocation specials and promos!

Absolutely! With Mode Rentals, you can take our vehicles on the ferry, making your journey seamless and stress-free. Here’s what you need to know:

• Ferry costs aren’t included in our hire rates, so you’ll need to book your tickets directly with Interislander or Bluebridge.
• Enjoy the convenience of keeping the same vehicle for your entire trip—no need for a car swap on either side of the ferry.

Set sail and save!
Mode Rentals customers can enjoy an exclusive 12% off your Bluebridge Cook Strait ferry crossing with the promo code RVANZ. Don’t miss out—click here to claim your discount and start planning your next adventure!

We offer a range of accessories to make your trip more comfortable, including:

• Child seats
• GPS units
• Snow chains (Pre-book at least 2 weeks ahead).

For a full list, visit our Accessories page. Some additional accessories may be available upon request, depending on availability and vehicle suitability.

Adding accessories is easy!

1. Select them during the reservation process by ticking the appropriate boxes.
2. Missed it during booking? Add them during Online Check-in or contact us to check availability.

For special requests not listed online, let us know in the comments section when booking or contact us directly.

Snow chains are rarely required on public roads but may be mandatory on icy ski field roads or Alpine passes.

• We offer a limited selection of snow chains for hire at $15/day (up to a maximum of $100 per hire).

Due to seasonal demand, please book at least two weeks in advance to ensure availability.

No worries! We recommend contacting us as soon as possible to check availability. While we can’t guarantee last-minute additions, we’ll do our best to accommodate your needs.

It’s super easy! Just select your vehicle, then click ‘Email a Quote’. You’ll have five days to confirm your booking (but don’t wait too long—our vehicles are popular!).

Visa and Mastercard credit/debit cards are accepted. For New Zealand customers, we also offer Account2Account.

Yes, here’s how it works:

• Direct bookings: Full payment is required upfront and refundable (less a $25 admin fee) if you cancel at least 24 hours before pick-up.
• Third-party bookings: Payment terms depend on the third-party platform’s policies.

At pick-up, a bond amount will be pre-authorised based on your selected liability limit.

Plans changed? No worries! Here’s what to do:

• Email us at [email protected] to request changes or an extension. Note that changes may affect your hire rate and are subject to availability.
• If you booked via a third-party website, contact them directly to make changes. You may need to cancel and rebook, subject to availability and pricing at the time.

Here’s our cancellation policy for direct bookings:

• Cancel 24+ hours before pick-up: Refund less a $25 admin fee.
• Cancel within 24 hours: Charged up to the first two days of hire, plus a $25 admin fee.
• No-shows or incomplete documentation: The full cost of the hire is charged.

For third-party bookings, please refer to their cancellation policy.

We understand that life happens! In these cases:

• Contact us as soon as possible to discuss options.
• On a case-by-case basis, we may adjust your hire dates, subject to availability.

Note: Different conditions apply if your hire has already commenced.

We highly recommend completing Online Check-in for a faster, hassle-free pick-up experience.
Important: If you have an after-hours pick-up, Online Check-in must be completed during regular business hours prior to your hire.

We recommend completing Online Check-in at least 48 hours before your pick-up time.

• For after-hours pick-ups, this step is mandatory and must be completed during regular office hours.
• If you don’t check in by the end of the business day before your after-hours pick-up, your vehicle won’t be released until the branch reopens.

It’s simple! Visit our Online Check-in page to get started. You’ll need:

1. Your reservation number
2. Your last name

Once logged in, follow the prompts to complete the process.

Yes! Once you’re ready, just give us a call and we’ll whisk you to your adventure in no time.

Once you’re ready for pick-up, give us a call, and we’ll send our shuttle to collect you! All the details—like the pick-up spot and what our shuttle van looks like—are included in your booking confirmation. Pro tip: Check here for extra info to make the process even smoother!

Absolutely! We’ve got you covered if your plans extend beyond regular hours.

• For after-hours pick-ups, completing Online Check-in during business hours is a must.
• Our after-hours agents don’t carry extra vehicles or accessories, so be sure to confirm everything ahead of time.

We’ll make your late-night or early-morning plans as stress-free as possible.

Here’s your ultimate checklist for a seamless pick-up:

1. Valid driver’s licence/s for all drivers (if your licence isn’t in English, you’ll need a translation or an International Driving Permit).
2. A Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card in the primary hirer’s name for bond pre-authorisation.
3. Your booking reference or confirmation email.
4. All nominated drivers must be present to sign the rental agreement.

Tick these off, and you’re ready to hit the road!

Direct bookings: Full payment is made when you book. At pick-up, we’ll process your bond pre-authorisation and payments for any extras like accessories or extensions.
We accept Visa, Mastercard credit and debit cards, and EFTPOS.

Third-party bookings are just as easy!

• Some websites only take a deposit—your confirmation email will let you know how much is left to pay at pick-up.
• If the full amount is prepaid, you’ll just need to cover any extras and the bond pre-authorisation.

Yes, a bond is needed, but don’t worry—it’s just a hold, not a charge!

• The bond ensures coverage for your chosen hirer liability limit.
• It’s released once the vehicle is returned in great condition, with a full fuel tank, and all hire conditions met.

The bond depends on your selected liability limit:

$3,000, $1,000, or $300.
Choose the level that works best for your peace of mind! Check out our Insurance & Liability Limit page for more details.