Sort These 9 Things Out Before You Book
Hiring a car in Perth is one of those tasks which feels simple until you read the rental agreement at the counter. Most of the concerns – the damage excess, the fuel rule and the airport add-ons, are easy to deal with. Just be informed before you drive away, not on return.
This is a plain checklist of nine things to sort out first. It covers what you need to drive, what the price really includes, how the insurance works, and a couple of Western Australian quirks that catch out visitors every summer. Get through this list and your car hire in Perth should be a stress-free experience
Ace Rent A Car has been doing this in Perth for more than 30 years, across branches in Redcliffe (right by the airport), Victoria Park and Mandurah. The tips below come from the questions real customers ask every week.
1. Check your licence and age first
This is the one that stops a booking dead at the counter, so start here.
To hire a car in Perth with Ace Rent A Car, you need a full driver’s licence, valid for at least the last two years, plus a credit card in your own name. Learner (L) and provisional (P) plate holders cannot hire a vehicle. If that applies to you or a mate who was going to share the driving, sort out who is actually allowed to drive before you book.
A few more points worth checking:
- Under-22 drivers can hire, but there are limits on which vehicle types you can get. Ring ahead if a young driver is on the booking.
- Overseas licences are fine. A small daily fee applies for international licences (currently $6 a day, capped at seven days), with New Zealand and UK licences exempt. If your licence is not in English, you will need an official translation.
- Extra drivers must be listed on the rental agreement with their licence details, or they are not covered if something goes wrong. Adding them costs a little, but it is capped at seven days.
Not sure if you qualify? Call the team on 08 9472 4222 before you book. A two-minute phone call now beats a knock-back at the counter later.
2. Know what your daily rate actually includes
“Cheap car hire” only counts if the headline price is the real price. The good news is that a Perth daily rate usually bundles in more than people expect.
With Ace Rent A Car, the daily rate includes the vehicle registration recovery fee (this covers rego and compulsory third party insurance), an administration fee, and 10% GST. It also covers up to 100 km a day, 24-hour roadside assistance, and a free airport shuttle to and from the Redcliffe branch if you choose an airport pick-up.
What that means in plain terms: there are no hidden fees. The number you see on the quote is the number you pay, as long as you stick to the booking. Compare that against the big-name brands, which often add airport levies and card fees on top.
3. Understand the insurance and damage excess
This is the part most people skim, then worry about later. Here is the short version.
The hire cars are fully insured. What you are responsible for is the excess, a set amount you would pay if the car is damaged in an accident. Think of it as your share before the insurance covers the rest.
You have two choices:
- Keep the standard excess and pay less rental per day. You pay an excess if something happens to the vehicle.
- Add excess reduction for an additional daily cost. This lowers the amount you would owe after an accident. It applies per event, so it is peace of mind for the whole trip.
A refundable security bond is also held on your credit card during the hire (Ace lists a $700 bond). You get it back when the car comes back in good order. Make sure your card has available credit for the bond, on top of the rental cost.
Picking the right cover is about how you feel, not just the price. If the thought of a big repair bill would ruin your holiday, excess reduction is cheap insurance for your nerves.
4. Read the fuel policy (it is simpler than most)
Fuel rules cause more arguments than almost anything else in car hire. Ace Rent A Car keeps it straightforward: return the car with the same amount of fuel it had when you picked it up.
So if you collect the car with a full tank, bring it back full. If it was three-quarters, return it three-quarters. Fill up near the branch on your way back and keep the receipt.
Get this wrong and it gets pricey. Returning the car with less fuel adds a $50 administration fee plus the cost to refuel the car. That is an easy fee to dodge with one quick stop at a servo before drop-off.
5. Sort out your kilometre limit before a big WA trip
Western Australia is huge, and visitors can underestimate the distances. Your daily rate includes 100 km a day. That is plenty for zipping around Perth, Fremantle and the beaches. It is not much if you are driving to Margaret River, the Pinnacles or up the coast.
Every kilometre over the limit is charged at $0.30 per km. On a long regional drive, that adds up fast. The fix is simple: if you are hiring for three days or more, ask about the unlimited kilometres option. You pay a little extra each day and then stop watching the odometer.
Work out your rough journey plan before you book. A quick look at the distances will tell you whether the included 100 km a day is enough or whether unlimited kms will save you money. Ace’s fuel cost calculator can help you plan the spend, too.
Planning a road trip? Tell the team where you are headed when you book on 08 9472 4222. They will match you to the right car and the right kilometre plan so there are no shocks at the end.
6. Watch the airport pick-up fees
Hiring a car inside the airport terminal typically comes at a premium price. Airport concessions carry extra costs, and those costs land on your bill.
The cheaper play in Perth is to pick up just outside the airport precinct. Ace Rent A Car’s Redcliffe branch sits a couple of kilometres from the domestic terminal, and a free shuttle runs to and from the terminals. To use it, book at least 24 hours ahead and choose an airport terminal (T1–T4) as your pick-up point.
The shuttle runs day and night, all year, so a late landing is not a problem. After-hours fees can apply for very late or very early pick-ups, so check that when you book if your flight gets in at an odd hour.
Skipping the in-terminal counters for a nearby branch with a shuttle, is one of the simplest ways to get the best-value cheap car hire near Perth Airport.
8. Add only the extras you actually need
Extras are handy, but they add to the car hire cost, so pick with purpose.
Common add-ons include:
- Child seats and baby capsules — tell them the child’s age so you get the right one.
- GPS — useful for regional trips where phone signal drops out.
- Excess reduction — covered in point 3.
- Unlimited kilometres — covered in point 5.
- Additional drivers — covered in point 1.
Book these when you reserve the car, not at the counter, so they are ready and priced into your quote. A booking deposit (around $50–$100) is usually taken when you reserve, with the balance paid at pick-up, so you are not paying the full amount months ahead.
9. Know how far you are allowed to drive (the WA rule that surprises everyone)
This is the most Western Australian item on the list, and the one visitors rarely expect.
Hire cars come with a set travel area across WA, marked on a geofence map. With Ace Rent A Car, you can drive as far as Exmouth in the north (coastal road only), Kalgoorlie in the east, and Esperance in the south.
That normally suffices for most visitors. Staying outside the boundaries comes with serious consequences: the insurance is voided, and a charge of $500 a day applies for every day the car is outside the allowed area. If your dream trip lays outside those limits, talk to the branch staff first – rather than risk it.
Two more WA driving notes that have nothing to do with fees and everything to do with getting home safe:
- Distances are long. Towns can be hours apart, with little in between. Fuel up whenever you can, carry water, and do not run the tank low in remote areas .
- Kangaroos are active at dawn and dusk. WA wildlife is most active in the early morning and around sunset. Slow down at those times, especially on regional and country roads, and avoid driving at night where you can. For current advice on regional and wildlife driving, the WA Road Safety Commission is a good place to start.
Car hire cost in Perth: a quick breakdown
Here is what the numbers look like, using Ace Rent A Car’s published rates. Treat these as a guide. Confirm the live figures on your quote, since rates and fees change.
| What you are paying for | Ace Rent A Car (published) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small car (e.g. Kia Picanto) | from $24/day | Cheapest everyday option |
| SUV (e.g. MG ZS) | from $29/day | More room for luggage |
| Ute (e.g. Isuzu D-Max) | from $40/day | For loads and tip runs |
| Van (Toyota Hiace) | from $56/day | Moving and group cargo |
| Minibus (Toyota Hiace) | from $150/day | Groups of 7+ |
| Included kilometres | 100 km/day | Extra km at $0.30/km |
| Unlimited kilometres | optional upgrade | Available on 3+ day hires |
| International licence fee | $6/day (capped 7 days) | NZ and UK licences exempt |
| Fuel shortfall | $50 + cost to refuel | Avoid by returning same level |
| Security bond | $700 refundable | Held on your card |
| Booking deposit | $50–$100 | Balance paid at pick-up |
| Outside the WA travel zone | $500/day + no insurance | Stay inside the geofence |
What you see is what you pay. No credit card fees. No hidden charges. Get a quote online or call 08 9472 4222 and the team will price the whole thing for you over the phone.
How to book a hire car in Perth: step by step
You do not need to make this hard. Here is the order that works best.
- Pick your dates and rough route. This decides your car size and whether you need unlimited kms.
- Choose your pick-up point. A branch (Redcliffe, Victoria Park or Mandurah) or an airport terminal with the free shuttle.
- Get a quote. Use the online booking form, or call 08 9472 4222 and let the team build it for you.
- Add your extras. Child seats, GPS, excess reduction, extra drivers, all priced into the quote.
- Check the fine print. Fuel rule, kilometre limit, travel zone and excess. Ask about anything you are unsure of.
- Confirm to lock the rate. Quotes are valid for 48 hours, and the price is not held until you confirm, so book early once you are happy.
- Pick up the car. Bring your licence, your own credit card and your ID. Check the fuel level and note any existing marks before you drive off.
A small tip from experience: take photos of the car at pick-up and drop-off, including the fuel gauge. It takes 30 seconds and settles any question about condition later.
Common mistakes people make when hiring a car in Perth
Most car hire headaches come from the same handful of slip-ups. Here are the ones to avoid.
- Booking before checking the licence rules. P-platers and drivers who have held a licence under two years cannot hire. Sort this out first.
- Picking up at the airport terminal counter. It is the priciest option. Use a nearby branch with a free shuttle instead.
- Ignoring the 100 km daily limit. Fine for the city, costly for a coastal road trip. Add unlimited kms for longer hires.
- Forgetting the fuel rule. Return the car at the same fuel level, or wear a $50 fee plus refuelling.
- Driving outside the WA travel zone. Past Exmouth, Kalgoorlie or Esperance, your insurance drops out and a daily charge kicks in.
- Skipping excess reduction to save a few dollars. One small bingle can cost far more than the daily add-on would have.
- Not leaving room on the card for the bond. The refundable security bond sits on top of the rental cost.
Frequently asked questions about hiring a car in Perth
How much does hiring a car in Perth cost?
It depends on the car, the dates and the season. Ace Rent A Car’s published rates start from $24 a day for a small car, with SUVs from $29, utes from $40 and vans from $56. Your daily rate includes the rego recovery fee, admin fee, GST and 100 km a day, so there are no surprise add-ons.
What do I need to hire a car in Perth?
A full driver’s licence held for at least two years, plus a credit card in your own name and photo ID at pick-up. Learner and provisional (L and P) plate holders cannot hire. Overseas licences are accepted, with a small daily fee for international licences (NZ and UK exempt).
Is it cheaper to hire a car at Perth Airport or nearby?
Picking up just outside the airport precinct is almost always cheaper than an in-terminal counter. Ace Rent A Car’s Redcliffe branch is a short hop from the terminals with a free 24/7 shuttle, so you skip the airport premium and still land straight into your car.
What is the fuel policy for car hire in Perth?
Ace Rent A Car uses a same-to-same policy: return the car with the fuel level it had at pick-up. If you return it lower, a $50 administration fee plus the refuelling cost applies. Fill up near the branch before drop-off to avoid it.
Can I drive a Perth hire car anywhere in Western Australia?
Not quite. There is a set travel area covering most of the populated state, as far as Exmouth (coastal road), Kalgoorlie and Esperance. Driving outside that zone voids the insurance and adds a $500-a-day charge, so check the map if you are planning a remote trip.
Can I pick up in Perth and drop off somewhere else?
Yes. With three branches (Redcliffe, Victoria Park and Mandurah) you can do a one-way hire, but a relocation fee applies. Ask for it on your quote so you can weigh the cost against the convenience.
Do under-22 drivers or P-platers have restrictions?
P-plate and L-plate holders cannot hire at all. Drivers under 22 can hire but face limits on which vehicle types are available, so it is worth a quick call before booking.
Ready to book your car hire in Perth?
Hiring a car in Perth is easy once you have sorted the licence, the cover, the fuel rule and how far you plan to drive. Tick off the nine things above and you will not meet any nasty surprises at the counter.
For honest, no-nonsense cheap car hire in Perth from a local team that has been at it for over 30 years, get a quote with Ace Rent A Car.
Book your car today. Get an instant online quote, or call 08 9472 4222 to speak with the friendly Perth team. No hidden fees. No credit card charges. Just a fair price and a clean car, ready when you are.