Step-by-Step From Booking to Return
Hiring a car for the first time can feel a bit confusing. What do you bring? What happens at the counter? Will there be unexpected charges at the end? This guide walks you through exactly how car hire works in Perth, one step at a time, so you can book with confidence and hand the keys back without any unpleasant surprises.
We’ll cover the whole journey: getting a quote, the documents to bring, picking up at the airport or a city depot, the pre‑drive inspection that protects you, reading your rental agreement, and returning the car the smart way. Whether it’s your first car hire in Perth or you just want a refresher, you’ll know what to expect.
How car hire in Perth works at a glance
Here’s the full process in seven simple steps. We explain each one below.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Quote & book | Get a quote online or by phone, then confirm your booking |
| 2. Get your documents ready | Licence and credit card – both in the driver’s name |
| 3. Pick up | Collect at the airport precinct or a city depot |
| 4. Inspect the car | Check it over and photograph any marks |
| 5. Read the agreement | Know your cover, excess, kilometres and fuel rule |
| 6. Drive | Stay on sealed roads and within the travel limit |
| 7. Return | Same fuel, reasonably clean, on time |
Want to skip ahead? Call our team on 08 9472 4222 and we’ll walk you through it.
Step 1: Get a quote and book
Everything starts with a quote. With Ace Rent A Car you have two easy ways to get one.
- Online: Fill in the booking form, choose your dates, pick your vehicle type, and add any extras like a child seat or GPS. You can email the quote to yourself or book straight away. Your quote is held for 48 hours, and your email keeps your details so you can finish booking later with one click.
- By phone: Prefer to talk it through? Call the reservations team on 08 9472 4222 and they’ll build the quote with you.
A few things first-timers like to know:
- You pay 10% when you book. The rest is due when you pick up the car. You can pay the balance by card or cash.
- The rate locks in when you confirm. A quote on its own doesn’t guarantee the price, so confirm once you’re happy.
- Booking direct is best. You get the real rate, clear terms and a person to call — not a third‑party middleman.
- Plans can change. You can amend your booking for free up to the day of collection, subject to availability. Cancel at least 48 hours before pickup and there’s no cancellation fee (December bookings need more notice).
Tip: Book 2–4 weeks ahead for the best choice and price, and even earlier for school holidays and Christmas.
Step 2: What documents to bring
This is the part people worry about most, and it’s simpler than you’d think. To hire a car in Perth you need:
- A valid driver’s licence — held by the person driving, and valid for at least 24 months.
- A credit card in the driver’s name — used for the booking and the security bond.
A few extra points:
- Minimum age is 21. Your age is checked when you collect the car. Younger drivers have some vehicle limits, and drivers under 26 can’t reduce the standard excess.
- Overseas licence? If your licence isn’t in English, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP). A small daily fee applies to most foreign licences, except New Zealand and the UK. For the rules on driving in WA on an overseas licence, see the Department of Transport WA.
- Using someone else’s card? That cardholder must be present at pickup. This protects everyone against fraud.
- Cards accepted: Visa & Mastercard (credit or debit). Prepaid and travel‑money cards aren’t accepted, so confirm your card type when you book. Paying by debit card means a security bond or pre‑authorisation is held on the card and refunded when you return the car safely.
- Extra drivers must be added to the agreement with their licence details, or they aren’t insured to drive.
First time hiring? Have your licence and card ready before you start the form — you’ll add both during booking.
Step 3: Picking up your car — airport or city depot
Ace Rent A Car has depots across the Perth area, so you can collect close to where you land or where you’re staying.
| Pickup option | Location | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Airport precinct | Redcliffe — 345 Great Eastern Hwy, Redcliffe WA 6104 (about 10 minutes / a few km from the terminals) | Fly‑in travellers; free shuttle |
| City depot | Victoria Park — 544 Albany Highway, Victoria Park WA 6100 | Locals and CBD stays |
| South | Mandurah — 52 Pinjarra Rd, Mandurah WA 6210 | Peel region trips |
The free airport shuttle: If you select an airport terminal (T1–T4) as your pickup and book at least 24 hours ahead, the shuttle to the Redcliffe depot is complimentary. When you land, call the shuttle operator on 08 9472 4222 and they’ll come and get you. Collecting just outside the airport precinct like this is usually cheaper than hiring from inside the terminal.
At the counter you’ll show your licence and card, pay the balance, sign the agreement and get your keys.
Flying in? See airport car hire and book your free shuttle when you reserve.
Step 4: The pre-drive inspection (and why you should photograph it)
This is the step that protects your wallet, so don’t rush it. Before you drive away, you and the staff check the car against its condition report (the Vehicle Condition Docket). Any existing marks should already be noted.
Here’s the smart move first‑timers often miss: take your own photos and a short video. Walk around the car and capture:
- Every panel, bumper and the roof
- Wheels and tyres
- The windscreen and all glass
- The interior, seats and boot
- The fuel gauge reading
Why this matters: standard damage cover doesn’t include glass, wheels, tyres, the interior, the roof or the undercarriage. If a scratch or chip is already there, your photos — time‑stamped on your phone — prove it wasn’t you. Five minutes here can save you a dispute later. Note anything not already on the report and ask the staff to record it before you leave.
Quick checklist: Photos done? Existing damage noted on the report? Fuel level recorded? Then you’re set.
Step 5: Understanding your rental agreement
The agreement looks long, but the parts that affect you are easy to grasp. Here’s what to look for.
What’s already included in your daily rate:
- The vehicle rate, registration recovery fee, admin fee and 10% GST()
- Up to 100 km per day
- 24‑hour roadside assistance
- The free airport shuttle (when you choose an airport terminal)
Your excess and cover: Damage and theft cover come with an excess — the amount you’d pay if something happened. You can pay a little extra for excess reduction to lower that liability. Check your excess amount on the agreement so there are no surprises.
Kilometres: You get 100 km a day. Extra kilometres are charged per kilometre, so for longer trips ask about the unlimited‑kilometre option (available on hires of three days or more).
Where you can drive: There’s a travel boundary (a geofence). Confirm the current limits when you collect the car, because crossing it brings a penalty and voids your cover. Cover also applies on sealed public roads only — damage on unsealed or gravel roads isn’t covered.
The fuel rule: Return the car at the same fuel level you collected it. (More on that in Step 7.)
Read it, ask questions, then sign. Good staff are happy to explain anything. You can also review the rental terms online before you arrive.
Not sure about cover? Ask about excess reduction at the counter, or call 08 9472 4222 before you book.
Step 6: On the road
With the keys in hand, a few simple habits keep your hire smooth:
- Watch your kilometres if you didn’t add the unlimited option.
- Stay on sealed roads and inside the travel boundary.
- Keep an eye on tyres and fluids on longer hires — that’s the driver’s responsibility.
- Breakdown? Call RAC roadside assistance on 13 11 11 and quote Ace Rent A Car’s membership number from your agreement (a call‑out fee may apply).
- Avoid dawn and dusk drives on country roads — animal strikes aren’t covered.
Need more time? Call 08 9472 4222 to extend before your return time, as the rate for the extra days may differ.
Step 7: Returning the car without surprise charges
The return is where first‑timers get caught out — but only if they skip the basics. Nail these three and you’ll get a clean finish (and your bond back):
- Refuel to the same level. Bring it back with as much fuel as it had at pickup. Forget, and you’ll pay for the fuel plus an admin fee. Fill up near the depot and keep the receipt.
- Return it reasonably clean. Normal use is fine. But a dirty car, pet hair or a smoke smell brings a cleaning fee, which is higher for SUVs, utes and vans than for small cars.
- Be on time. An hourly late fee applies if you’re late, and returns more than two hours late are charged the full daily rate. If you’re running behind, call ahead and extend.
Also return the car to the depot you collected from, unless you arranged a one‑way hire in advance (a relocation fee applies for that). Once the car’s checked in and all good, your security bond or pre‑authorisation is refunded.
That’s it — that’s how car hire works in Perth. Honest pricing, no hidden fees and a low damage excess from the start. Ready to book? Call 08 9472 4222 · WhatsApp +61 412 118 988 · or book online.
What car hire in Perth costs
Knowing what’s included keeps the final bill predictable. Here’s the split.
| Included in your daily rate | Optional extras (paid) |
|---|---|
| Vehicle rate | Unlimited kilometres (3+ day hires) |
| Registration recovery fee | Excess reduction |
| Administration fee | Child and booster seats |
| GPS navigation | |
| 100 km per day | Additional drivers (capped at 7 days) |
| 24‑hour roadside assistance | International licence fee ($6/day, capped 7 days; NZ/UK exempt) |
| Free airport shuttle (airport terminal pickups) | One‑way relocation fee |
When you pay: 10% of the hire at booking, the balance at pickup (card or cash). A refundable security bond or pre‑authorisation (around $1000, depending on the vehicle, your age and the hire length) is held and returned after a clean, on‑time return.
Good to ask about: 10% off bookings over 14 days, a free day when you hire for 30 days, the price‑beat guarantee, and airport specials from $39/day. See the full list on the rates and charges page.
Common mistakes first-time hirers make
- Skipping the photo walk‑around before you drive away. Five minutes of photos before driving out is your best protection against a disputed scratch.
- Forgetting the fuel rule. Same level out, same level back — or pay the fuel plus a fee.
- Assuming kilometres are unlimited. They’re not by default. Add the option for long trips.
- Bringing the wrong card. It must be a credit or debit card in the driver’s name, not a prepaid or travel‑money card.
- Driver is under 21, or with a licence holder for less than 24 months old. Check the age and licence rules before you book.
- Booking with an overseas licence and no IDP. If your licence isn’t in English, bring the permit.
- Driving off sealed roads or past the travel boundary. Both void your cover.
- Returning late without calling. A quick call to extend beats a full‑day late charge.
- Leaving extra drivers off the agreement. Only listed drivers are insured.
Frequently asked questions
How does car hire work in Perth, step by step?
You get a quote (online or by phone), confirm your booking with 10% upfront, bring your licence and credit card to pick up, inspect and photograph the car, sign the agreement, drive within the included kilometres and travel limit, then return it with the same fuel, reasonably clean and on time.
What do I need to hire a car in Perth?
A valid driver’s licence (held at least 24 months) and a credit or debit card in the driver’s name. The minimum hire age is 21. Overseas drivers with a non‑English licence also need an International Driving Permit.
Can I pick up my hire car at Perth Airport?
You collect from the nearby Redcliffe depot, about 10 minutes from the terminals. Choose an airport terminal as your pickup and book 24 hours ahead, and the shuttle is free — just call on arrival. An after-hours fee applies if you are picking or dropping off rental vehicle outside working hours.
How much does car hire in Perth cost upfront?
You pay 10% of the rental when you book, with the balance due at pickup by card or cash. A refundable security bond is also held and returned after a clean, on‑time return.
Should I photograph the car before driving off?
Yes. Photos and a short video of the panels, wheels, glass, interior and fuel gauge protect you, because items like glass, tyres and the undercarriage aren’t covered by standard damage cover.
What happens if I return the car late or with less fuel?
A late fee applies per hour, and returns more than two hours late are charged the full daily rate, so call ahead to extend. Returning with less fuel means paying for the fuel plus an admin fee.
Can someone else drive the hire car?
Yes, if they’re added to the rental agreement with their licence details before they drive. Extra driver charges are capped at 7 days. Unauthorised Drivers whose name is not mentioned on the rental contract are not allowed to drive the rented car. This violates the terms of the contract, and in the event of any mis-hap you are liable to pay the actual cost of the repair value or replacement value of the vehicle. Therefore, you are advised not to leave your keys unattended and do not give it to anyone who is not authorised to drive the rental vehicle.
How far can I drive a hire car from Perth?
There’s a set travel boundary. Confirm the current limits when you collect the car, stay on sealed roads, and ask about the unlimited‑kilometre option for long trips.
Ready to book your Perth car hire?
Now you know how car hire works in Perth, the rest is easy. Honest pricing, low damage excess, free airport transfers, and friendly help at every step.
Call 08 9472 4222 · WhatsApp +61 412 118 988 · or get your quote online.