Frequently Asked Questions

You (and additional driver if applicable) need to bring your current driver licence (and English translation if applicable). Be prepared to pay a bond and cost of hire at the start of your rental.

When it comes to payment, Eastern Rentals aims to be very accommodating to all its customers. You have a range of options. You can pay for your rental and bond by cash, eftpos, a bank issued Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card. Note however that if you are not using a Credit Card to secure your booking, you must take our Reduce Liability Excess insurance cover. If you are securing your booking by a Credit Card, you have a choice of basic insurance cover or Reduce Liability Excess cover.

Eastern Rentals charges a non-refundable deposit of $100 for all minibus and car hires.

No. Eastern Rentals does not charge card transaction fees.

Please refer to our Insurance & Cancellation Policy Page

Insurance covers your liability in a case of an accident.

Insurance does not cover break downs, tyre, or windscreen problems etc.

Please see “What I do if vehicle break down” below for what to do if a vehicle breaks down.

Generally, if it is a mechanical fault, Eastern Rentals takes responsibility. If it is a non-mechanic issue (tyre or windscreen problems etc), the hirer is responsible and will be charged directly by AA. See more details below.

No Cancellation Fee – if cancelled more than 3 days prior to rental start date.

If cancelled less than 3 days prior to rental start date or no show a cancellation fee of $100 may apply.

Rates may differ depending on the length of hire and the season.

Eastern Rentals does not charge for additional drivers. When you pick up the car at the start of the hire, you can add drivers to the rental agreement without incurring any additional charges.

Please note: Any additional drivers nominated must have a full driver licence and be present when the vehicle is collected.

We do not currently offer such option.

No. Unlike many companies, Eastern Rentals does not impose a surcharge for drivers under 21 years old or 21 to 25 years old. The only extra charge for renters under 21, those on restricted licence or those who held full licence for less than 3 years is the price of the insurance cover (see “What are your insurance options”).

Standard Eastern Rentals driver licence restrictions and Eastern Rentals Rental Terms & Conditions apply.

You can drop off the vehicle outside normal business hours subject to prior arrangement. You cannot pick up the vehicle outside normal business hours.

In the event that Eastern Rentals receives an unpaid toll notice relating to the period the vehicle was on hire, Eastern Rentals will process a statutory declaration stating that the vehicle was on hire and provide name, address, and driver licence details of the hirer. The third party who issues the toll road charge will then forward the infringement notice to the hirer requesting payment. Eastern Rentals charges the hirer a $10 administration fee for the time taken to process the statutory declaration and transfer of liability notice.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Eastern Rentals does not pay any toll charges and it is the sole responsibility of the hirer to pay all toll charges incurred during the rental period.

Rental Tip:

Save yourself money by paying the toll online the day before travelling on the toll road. This avoids costly administration fees that are levied for unpaid tolls. Please review the NZTA website for payment options.

Infringement Notices:

In the event that Eastern Rentals receives an infringement notice for a speeding, parking, or other traffic infringement relating to the period the vehicle was on hire, Eastern Rentals will process a statutory declaration stating that the vehicle was on hire and provide name, address, and driver licence details of the hirer. The authority who issues the infringement notice will then forward the infringement notice to the hirer requesting payment. Eastern Rentals charges the hirer a $25 administration fee for the time taken to process the statutory declaration and transfer of liability notice.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Eastern Rentals New Zealand does not pay any infringement notices and it is the sole responsibility of the hirer to pay all fines in relation to infringement notices issued during the rental period.

Refer to the full Eastern Rentals Terms & Conditions

There is no minimum age for renting with Eastern Rental. However, the renter must have a full and valid driver licence and credit card and adhere to the applicable Eastern Rentals Terms & Conditions.

We do rent to customers who are on restrictive licence but their daily insurance cover is higher.

Yes, you can nominate additional drivers at no extra cost. Any additional drivers nominated must have a full driver licence and be present when the vehicle is collected.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Insurance cover is only valid for drivers named on the contract. Additional drivers will need to present their driver licence in order to be added as additional driver on the contract.

Eastern Rentals vehicles must not be operated off-road, on any beach (including Ninety Mile Beach and Te Paki streambed) or driven on farm paddocks. ALL vehicles (including 4WD vehicles) are prohibited from driving on ALL 4WD tracks.

Eastern Rentals vehicles are not permitted to travel on the following roads: Skippers Canyon Road, the road to Macetown, Matukituki Road beyond the Treble Cone access road turn off, Glenorchy-Paradise Road beyond Priory Road turn off.

If you return you vehicle earlier than expected, you will only be charged for the time of hire.

All Eastern Rentals vehicles are covered by the Automobile Association (AA) 24 hour roadside assistance service for any vehicle related breakdowns. In the event that you need roadside assistance, please call the AA free phone number 0800 22 27 39. Please give them your car registration plate number and provide and directions to help them locate you.

If the AA are unable to assist you, please contact us on 0800 327 837.

IMPORTANT NOTE: For non-mechanical (driver error) call outs, you will need to pay the applicable fee directly to the AA prior to their attendance.

Mechanical breakdowns covered by the AA Roadside Assistance service include the following:

Engine faults.
Electrical faults.
Cooling system.
Vehicle recovery.

For all Non-Mechanical breakdowns, the Automobile Association will charge you the relevant call out fees. Non-mechanical breakdowns include, but are not limited to, the following:

Running out of fuel.
Refilling the vehicle with the incorrect fuel (i.e. putting diesel in instead of petrol).
Damage to wheels and/or tyres.

Losing the keys or locking them inside the vehicle.
Having a flat battery due to the ignition or lights being left on.

A breakdown as a result of damage caused in an accident, including salvage.

In the unfortunate event of an accident, please do the following:

Notify Eastern Rentals as soon as possible by calling 0800 327 837.

Notify the police if the accident involves injury.

If possible, prepare a written statement of the facts signed by all parties. If agreement cannot be reached, obtain a copy of the police report.

Do not make any admission of liability, as this may prejudice your insurance coverage. Record full details of all parties and vehicles involved in the accident (drivers name, address, telephone number, mobile phone number, email address, vehicle registration number, vehicle make/model/year, insurance company, and apparent damage).

Record full details of all parties and vehicles involved in the accident (drivers name, address, telephone number, mobile phone number, email address, vehicle registration number, vehicle make/model/year, insurance company, and apparent damage).

When you return the vehicle, you will need to allow at least 30 minutes to complete a full accident report form.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You will be required to pay all vehicle damage up to a maximum of the insurance excess. If you have a camera, please take photographs of all damaged vehicles and the accident site to verify the damage and circumstances to assist us with our claim.

You have to return the rental vehicle with a full tank otherwise you will be charge for the cost of fuel plus a refuel fee of $30.

You will be charged at the start of the rental.

You can update this any time prior to commencement of the hire by getting in touch with our team prior in advance or at the time of picking up your vehicle.

Eastern Rentals vehicles are covered by standard motor vehicle insurance; however, an excess may be charged for any loss or damage incurred during the hire period. Our standard insurance excess is $2,000 but you can purchase our Reduce Liability Excess cover, which reduces your excess liability to $250.

No, we don’t.

No.

Yes, depending on the availability.

Do not drive our vehicles off road or onto any New Zealand beaches. A penalty of $2,000 may apply.

No. A minimum cleaning fee of $100 will be charged should you smoke in the vehicle during your hire.