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Using Toll Roads in a Rental Car

Please watch this video to know more about paid roads also known as Toll Roads in Australia.

A number of toll roads in Australia are cashless and only accept payments via an electronic tag or online. It is not uncommon for travellers to get caught out when driving through toll roads in a rental car. If you are driving interstate or if you are an overseas traveller in a hire car, you need to pay your tolls within a certain time frame to avoid paying any extra fees.

For short period rentals, you possibly could just pay the tolls online as you travel. You will need to know the name of the road you travelled and find the website of the correspondent authority online.

If you intend to rent a car for a few months or longer, we would recommend you to open an e-tag account, those are only paid as you travel and don’t involve any monthly or annual fees. It will also be handy if you travel to Australia often. It is easy to link and de-link any cars to your account. Thus you would register the account only once, then keep updating the number plates of the hired car in the system of the tolling company. Technically you will not even need to carry your e-tag device in the rental car with you. Although it is recommended to avoid paying extra fees for the number plate identification.

To help you out with your next long term car rentals in Australia, here is an outline from Low Cost Car Rentals on how to obtain the toll roads pass for up to 30 days period.

New South Wales (Sydney)

RMS eMU Pass

Motorists are required by law to pay the toll when they drive on a toll road. If you don’t have an electronic tag, you can set up a electronic pass before you leave home or up to three days after you travel on a toll road. You will have up to 2 days to set up the Pass, if you happen to use the Toll roads without a e-Tag.

What are the costing Involved?

  • $1.50 online start up fee
  • Relevant toll charge plus a $0.75c video processing fee for each toll

How to set it up?

  • You can call them on 13 18 65
  • You can set up a Pass using the RMS Online service via the following link and click on eMU pass link Paying tolls

To see the map of the toll roads or estimate the cost of using them, please visit Toll Calculator

Victoria (Melbourne)

CityLink

You will have up to 3 days to set up the Pass, if you happen to travel on one of their Toll roads.

What are the costing Involved?

  • $5.50 online start up fee.
  • Relevant toll charge plus a $0.75c video processing fee for each toll

How to set it up?

  • You can call 13 26 29
  • You will find all the Passes CityLink sell via the following Link Buy a Pass.

To check the tolls prices, please see here.

Queensland (Brisbane, Gold coast, Cairns)

goVIA

You will have up to 3 days to set up the Pass, if you happen to travel on one of their Toll roads.

What are the costing Involved?

  • The relevant Toll plus
  • Video processing fee for each toll (To find out the Video Processing fee, please call 13 33 31, as they change it from time to time)

How to set it up?

  • Can call 13 33 31
  • Buy a pass on their Website via the following Link Go via Road Pass.

You can calculate your toll here.

Cheap car rentals – 5 myths busted

True or false - cheap car rentals

1. Car rental near airport is very expensive.

It is true, the space within the airport car park and a kiosk right next to the arrivals are costly. So companies who you normally see there, would have higher rates than normal car rentals. They need to cover up for all the expenses.

But it does not mean that you should avoid all the near-airport car rentals altogether.

Usually the airports are located in non prestige suburbs or in industrial zones. An office only a kilometre away from the arrival gate is much cheaper. There must be some car hire agencies who are located there.

For instance, one of the Low Cost Car Rentals depots is located only 2.7km away from the Sydney Domestic and 3.2km from International airports.

We offer free airport pick-up and drop-off on all long term rentals (7+ days). And it is as cheap as 30 dollars both ways for short term hires.

In reality, we love Sydney visitors so much, we often offer free unlimited kms package and GPS on long term rentals. All of those are worth more than 25 dollars per day.

I personally believe, the car rental agencies near airports are the most professional ones. They have to deal with a lot of customers from overseas therefore their standards are much higher.

2. Shared cars schema is cheaper than usual car rental companies.

There was a lot of excitement when we first saw our neighbours offering their cars for rent for cheap prices.

It was good at first until those car owners faced first troubles. Cars often were left in prohibited areas. Parking fines, tolls notices, light scratches and dirty interior that nobody will ever pay for.

It all led to the new restrictions. You must be an approved member to rent the car. Usually it involves an annual fee regardless of whether you would even need a car that year.

The price might still look cheap, however you will understand later that it is not final. You will have to pay each kilometre you travel. You will need to have your own GPS or baby seats if you need them.

To conclude, the shared car can be cheaper than a cab if you just need to travel short distance then back. Nothing else seem to be worth it.

3.GPS is too expensive, i will use my phone.

Firstly, lets assume you have the phone holder to secure your phone in the car. So now you are able to follow the directions without the need to juggle the phone in your or your passenger hands.

Secondly, we would assume, you have unlimited mobile data and all-around country mobile coverage.

I already doubt you have all the above.

Now, how about the reception? Do you have it while at the car park in the shopping centre? How often it is getting lost in the tunnels and how long it takes for the signal to recover?

You still think 5 dollars a day or free GPS on long term rentals is not an option?

4. I can get away with not registering the additional driver.

This is a very dangerous myth. It is not up to the car rentals companies to decide who is guilty in the accident. It is not them who is charging you when you have an incident.

Touch wood, if anything happens and it is the additional drivers fault. Just because they were not registered as the driver of the vehicle, the insurance company would decline the claim. You will end up loosing the excess and would have to pay for both car repairs and any hospital expenses anyone incurred due to the crash.

The insurance company used by Low Cost Car Rentals only charges a one-off fee to register the driver. It only costs 11 dollars for the whole rental period. Touch wood, but it is a piece of mind.

5. Companies use foreign language for rental agreements.

I can’t say for all companies, but Low Cost Car Rentals contract is written in English and you do not require any form of translation.

If you really unsure about anything in there, you are free to ask questions. Our staff is also fluent in English and therefore easy to communicate with.

Advantages of people mover rentals

People mover for rent

When it comes to moving people around comfortably, there is nothing out there that beats a comfortable 8 seater. Below are some of the reasons why you need to rent a People mover:

1. Two or more families or friends can travel together in a 8 seater

Long drive with the people you like is one of the greatest memories one can have. Whether you are talking sports, or Strategy or just playing carpool Karaoke, a people mover will provide you with the greatest memories you will have on the Road.

2. Comfort

With a lot of legroom and Luggage space, our people movers will make sure you will be having a great drive with your loved ones. With the cruise control, once you hit the highway, you can set the speed, stretch your legs, and relax while you drive.

3. Sharing the drive

You can add an additional driver on your rental policy and share the driving with you peers, so you won’t get tired and cause any accidents. Did you know, Fatigue whilst driving is one of the major causes of accidents on Australian roads!

4. Cost per Person

For some periods and shorter trips, an 8 seater would cost you less than $8 AUD per person a day. That will be a lot cheaper than most of the public transfer fares we pay these days to get from A to B.

5. What kind of people movers you have on Hire?

We have a range of People movers on our fleet. People movers can be classified in to 2 categories.

  • 7 seater 4WD’s
  • 8 seaters such as Toyota Tarago’s, Kia Carnivals, Hyndai Imax’s etc., which are not 4WD’s.

We do rent Toyota Tarago’s, Kia Carnivals and 4WD’s such Toyota Klugers. Each people mover vehicle has its own advantages and disadvantages.

6. Which people mover would suite my needs?

If you a 4WD enthusiast with less people or you travelling with Kids, then the Toyota Kluger would suit your needs. The last 2 out of 7 seats would be a little smaller for a full sized adult. Bear in mind a 4WD would cost you more in fuel.

However, if you have more Adults to travel with you and a lot of Luggage the Toyota Tarago or a Kia Carnival would be the better fit for you.

However, at the end of the day, you are the one planning this great Holiday / Adventure and your preference will take the most priority. If you still have more questions, please give us a ring a (02) 8056 6535 and explain your needs and one of our staff member will be more than happy to assist you.

What type of car to hire? Do i need a 4WD?

People movers to rent for snow

Often we receive calls from our customers asking for 4WD cars to rent because they are going to snow.

If you hire a rear- or a front- wheel drive car, you will also need to rent the snow chains. Therefore it is a common perception that a 4WD will save you a lot of money on your car rental.

Low Cost Car Rentals staff believes the choice of the car to rent depends on the circumstances.

Multiple adults traveling

If you have more than 5 adults in the car, we would recommend you to hire a people mover.

You can easily find a 4WD which is a 7- or an 8- seater. However, the last row in most 4WDs have a height limit. Depends on how tall your friends and/or family are, it might be just too tight for all of you.

Storage space required

You will probably think the 4WDs have better storage space? You are wrong. People movers like Kia Carnival or Toyota Tarago offer a larger boot space than most 4WDs.

Driving to snow

Our branch manager once said “4WD is only good in snow if you know how to drive a 4WD in the snow!”.

Four-wheel drive systems are helpful options, but they aren’t cure-all for winter driving problems. It is important to become familiar with a few 4×4 driving basics before you tackle snowy roads.

The advices for driving any type of vehicles are the same: slow down on windy roads, keep extra distance from the cars in front of you and take a lot of rest as snowy roads reflect the sun and tire your eyes quicker than usually.

It is also recommended to switch your 4WD into 2WD mode when driving downhill.

Nevertheless, If you have neither a lot of people, nor a lot of baggage, you should be just fine with a sedan or a hatch.

If you planning to drive to the snowfields and not to drive up the snow mountains, then any car will do the job.

Don’t forget there is also a choice of AWD cars to rent too.

Moving house on a budget

Renting a 4WD is a good option when you are moving house on a budget. Vans, trucks and utes can be very costly.

Additional tip is to ask for a car that has a tow-bar and/or roof racks fitted. Some of our 4WDs and people movers do. That will save you on another trip between homes.

Going camping

We will easily find a winner in the selection of the four-wheel drive cars. It is also important to tell the rental company that you are planning on such a trip.

When driving off-road, not all 4WD are the same. It is important to have high ground clearance so if you drive over a stone, you would not damage the bottom of the car.

Off-road is often not sealed. Even straight roads would have some mud pools and cause the car to skid. Rent a 4-wheel drive to do the job, unless you are planning to spend most of your time waiting for road side assistance or towing truck.

Snow season – Winter car rentals

Snow season

With the winter holidays knocking at the door, many people would be busy planning their road trips with friends and family. Driving during winter, especially through snow-clad roads can be fun but dangerous as well. If you have any such plans make sure an experienced driver drives you through. You may have heard people talking about the safety measures people should take while driving on snow-clad roads; but not all of them are right. Some are true, while some are people’s own perceptions.

People often say a four-wheel drive is the best when driving during the winter, but it is only true if the roads are heavily snow-clad; however, investing in a four-wheel drive would be a good option keeping the safety aspect in mind. So what are the other things you need to consider if you are planning to go on a long drive this winter? Here are some factors that you should consider:

The Right Kind of Tires

In some countries, it is a must to have snow tires; while in Australia you can do with an all-weather treads. However it is mandatory to have the snow chains on when driving a non-AWD vehicle. You need to choose depending upon your destination. If you choose a smaller car and you plan to go Snowy Mountains, we would highly recommend you to rent some snow chains as well. You can rent the snow chains at the Snow Mountains too, thus will incur some delays in your trip while you could of been already enjoying the trip without interruptions. It is also getting slightly more expensive as you approach the snow areas. So it is recommended that you have a talk with the car rental agency about the rates for all the extras you need, in case you need to hire a car with snow chains.

Hiring a 4WD makes things easier. A 4×4 cars are not required to fit the chains in Australian conditions.

Check the Car Condition Thoroughly

This is very important, since a breakdown in the middle of a snow-clad road can give you a tough time. Moreover, driving on snow is very dangerous, so a car that is not in its best condition can lead to severe or fatal accidents. Therefore before hiring a care, here are the things you must check:

  • Whether the head and back lights work properly
  • Whether the wipers are in good working condition
  • The tire conditions
  • The weather conditions of the destination you are heading towards
  • The 24×7 road side assistance across all the areas you are travelling to

Low Cost Car Rentals offers NRMA services included in each car hire. Check some information from them too: Safer driving in snow.

It is also recommended that you start with a full tank to ensure the car does not stop in the middle of the road.

The Right Kind of Car

Choosing the right kind of car is very important to ensure the safety of your co-passengers. For instance, a car with manual transmission is best for snow covered roads. Again a four-wheel drive is best for mountainous terrain, while if you are driving on a plain road then choosing a car with anti-lock braking system would be the best.

Check more tips in here Snow driving.

Don’t Forget the Extras

Even though travellers are recommended to bring their own extras, they might require hiring some from the car rental agency during the winter. These include ice scrapers, warm driving gloves, snow chains, roof racks, etc. You can bring them along if you already have them.

We also recommend you to check the tips and tricks posted on different forums by other travellers who are more familiar with the area you are traveling to. For those who are planning to go to Kosciuszko National Park in NSW we recommend to check this link Safety tips in Kosciuszko National Park.

Driving during winter can be exciting and fun but only if you have taken the necessary safety measures. Talk to your car rental agency and get going. Here at Low Cost Car Rentals we will have all the arrangements to make your journey safe and enjoyable.