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How old do you need to be to hire a car in Australia?
How old do you need to be to hire a car in Australia?
Posted by 1300 Meteor Rentals
on 30 December 2025
One of the most common questions travellers ask before booking a vehicle is how old do you need to be to hire a car in Australia. The rules change between rental companies, and the type of vehicle makes a difference too. Some places allow young drivers with conditions, while others have strict age limits and higher bonds.
If you’re planning a road trip, a weekend away, or a long east coast drive, it’s important to know the rules before booking. Let’s look at how the age limits work, using real details from 1300 Meteor Rentals in Cairns, Townsville and Mount Isa, and then compare them with what other major rental companies in Australia usually do.
The general rule across Australia
Most rental companies in Australia set the minimum age at 21.
Some allow rentals at 18, but this is rare.
Some require 25 for 4WDs, premium cars or larger vans.
The more powerful or expensive the vehicle, the higher the minimum age tends to be.
So when people ask how old do you need to be to hire a car in Australia, the short answer is usually:
Drivers aged 21 to 24 pay a Young Driver Fee of 9 dollars per day.
This applies to standard vehicles.
Provisional licence holders
Provisional drivers:
must be at least 21
must have held their licence for at least 12 months
may only rent 4x2 cars
must pay a surcharge of 20 dollars per day or 280 dollars per month
Bond
The bond is:
250 dollars for standard cars
1000 dollars for 4WD vehicles
This matters for younger drivers because their bond must be held on their credit card.
Why do these rules exist?
Younger drivers are seen as higher risk. They have less experience, and rental companies often pay more for insurance when hiring to young drivers. This is why companies like 1300 Meteor charge a small young driver fee and limit the type of vehicle provisional drivers can take.
So if you want the strict answer for 1300 Meteor:
you need to be at least 21 to hire any vehicle.
How does this compare to other rental companies?
Here’s how the bigger national companies usually operate:
Avis / Budget
Minimum age: 21
Young driver surcharge: applies until 24
Some vehicles require 25+
Hertz
Minimum age: 21
Young driver surcharge: until 24
Prestige vehicles: 25+
Thrifty
Minimum age: 21
Premium SUVs and vans: 25+
Enterprise
Minimum age: 21
Young driver fee: applies until 24
Some branches accept 18-year-old drivers, but only with full comprehensive insurance and restrictions
Local and regional companies
These vary a lot. Many:
Set the minimum age at 21
Charge a young driver fee until 25
Only allow basic vehicle types for young drivers
Ban 4WDs and heavy vehicles for anyone under 25
So when travellers ask how old do you need to be to hire a car in Australia, the answer depends on the company and the car type. But 21 is the most common starting point.
Why do rental companies have higher age limits for bigger vehicles?
Bigger vehicles cost more and carry more risk.
Examples:
These vehicles are more likely to be used for long distances, challenging terrain, or heavy loads. Insurance companies usually require rental companies to set higher age rules and larger bonds for these vehicles. That’s why many companies do not allow 21-year-olds to rent 4WDs or large vans.
1300 Meteor allows 21-year-olds to rent these vehicles, but with:
a higher bond
no provisional licences
full compliance with all terms
This is more flexible than many national brands.
Do overseas drivers face different age rules?
No.
For most companies, including 1300 Meteor, the same age rules apply to both Australian and overseas drivers.
However:
overseas licences must be in English
if not, you need an International Driving Permit or official translation
years of driving experience may matter if your home country uses a different licence system
provisional or restricted licences from overseas may not be accepted
So if you are a backpacker asking how old do you need to be to hire a car in Australia, the rules for you are the same as locals, as long as your licence meets the language and validity requirements.
What about 18-year-old drivers?
Most rental companies in Australia do not rent to 18-year-olds.
Even if they do, the cost can be very high.
Reasons:
higher accident risk
higher insurance cost
limited driving experience
legal restrictions in some states
Only a few companies allow 18-year-olds, and usually only with added conditions.
For standard travel, 18 is not a realistic age for renting in Australia.
The real answer to how old do you need to be to rent a car in Australia is almost never 18.
Why does driving experience matter?
Rental companies know that years behind the wheel reduce risk.
A 21-year-old with three years of experience is lower risk than a 21-year-old who just passed their test last month.
This is why 1300 Meteor requires provisional drivers to have held their licence for at least 12 months.
Other companies often require:
12 to 24 months of driving experience
no major violations
no suspended licence history
These checks help protect the vehicle and keep costs fair across all renters.
What extra charges apply to younger drivers?
Younger drivers may face:
a young driver fee
a higher bond
a restricted vehicle list
These charges are standard in Australia, and not unique to any one company.
For example:
1300 Meteor charges 9 dollars per day for 21 to 24
Other major brands charge up to 30 dollars per day
Some charge as high as 40 dollars per day for premium cars
This fee reflects the higher insurance cost for the company.
Many companies only allow 25+.
1300 Meteor allows 21+, but with higher bond and strict conditions.
Mine travel
Mine spec vehicles often require:
25+
full licence
specific work permits
Large vans or buses
Often 25+ with experience required.
If you’re young and planning a big road trip, it’s important to read the terms carefully.
Real examples
Example 1: A 21-year-old backpacker in Cairns
They want a simple car to drive to Palm Cove and the Tablelands.
1300 Meteor allows this with:
full licence
young driver fee
standard bond
staying within the approved zone
Example 2: A 23-year-old couple doing Townsville to Airlie Beach
They rent a standard car.
No issues.
Most companies allow this.
Example 3: A 22-year-old trying to rent a mine spec 4WD
Major brands say no.
1300 Meteor says yes, with higher bond and conditions.
Example 4: A 19-year-old student on a backpacking trip
Most companies say no.
They must use buses or travel with an older friend who can rent.
Example 5: A 29-year-old on a long outback drive
No age problems at all.
Standard excess rules apply.
So… how old do you need to be to hire a car in Australia?
Here is the clear answer:
For most rental companies
You must be at least 21.
For 4WDs, vans and premium cars
You often need to be 25.
For 1300 Meteor Rentals
Minimum age is 21
21 to 24 pay a young driver fee
Provisional drivers can hire basic cars only
Bond is 250 or 1000 depending on vehicle type
For 18-year-olds
Renting is very rare or expensive.
So if you’re asking how old do you need to be to hire a car in Australia, the safest answer is:
21 for most vehicles, 25 for anything bigger or more powerful.
Hiring a car in Australia is simple once you know the age rules. Most travellers starting in Cairns, Townsville or Mount Isa will have no trouble at all. If you’re 21 or older with a full licence, you can rent a standard car and enjoy your trip. If you’re under 25, there may be extra fees, but renting is still possible.
Whether you’re heading to waterfalls, beaches, the outback or small inland towns, knowing the age requirements helps you plan your trip without surprises.
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 "How old do you need to be to hire a car in Australia?")
