You want your holidays to be filled with good memories and lots of adventure and one of the best ways to get around is in a hire car. However, you can never be too safe and it’s important to know what to look out for when you’re in a new place in a car you haven’t driven before. Below are some tips on how to avoid an accident on your next holiday.

1. Don’t drive tired
   This may seem fairly obvious, but a lot of people keep driving even when they are fatigued. Take a break every two hours and swap drivers whenever necessary to avoid an accident.  This is especially important in Australia as our roads are straight and never ending with little to keep you occupied in between. A lot of places on main roads have rest stops with amenities and park facilities, with some rest stops offering free coffee and tea.
2. Familiarise yourself with the car
   The first thing you should do when you hire a car is to take a look at how it operates and what each button or switch does.  After all, you are driving a car you have never been in before so it is important to work out exactly what everything does so you’re not fumbling for things while driving.
3. Look when reversing
   Checking what’s behind you is a simple mistake that even the most experienced driver can make. Be sure to look behind you both before and during reversing to avoid accidents – don’t rely on the rear vision mirror.
4. Avoid driving at dusk or dawn
   These times of the day are known for accidents due to the lighting and the kinds of activities people are coming from or going to. There tends to be more traffic and more reckless behaviour and the light can be distracting to the best of drivers, so make sure to take extra care when driving at these times.
5. Be prepared before you drive
   You should know where you want to go before you get in the car. Check a map or Refidex and put the information into your GPS – if you have hired one – before you turn on the engine. If you have kids travelling with you, make sure they have enough food and activities to keep them busy so they don’t distract you and get someone to have a Refidex open even if you have a GPS as backup.

If you want some more advice or to hire a car along the east coast of Australia, contact Alpha Car Hire. They are a family owned company that puts value for money and customer service first. Travel to all your dream destinations simply and cheaply with Alpha Car Hire on your next holiday.

Photo courteous of Jeff Rasansky and Flickr

When looking for car hire in another country or state, most people go straight to the common and familiar names – airport car hire companies like Thrifty and Hertz.  Although these companies are good they do have their downsides, and off-site alternatives can give you car hire that is just as high quality without the negatives.

One of the most obvious advantages of an off-site car hire company is it’s cheaper. The airport car hire companies have the advantage of convenience, allowing them to hike up prices. They also have to pay an on airport surcharge. However, off-site car hire companies are generally just as high quality, but without the big price tag.

Off-site car hire companies also offer better service as they have to compete with airport companies, plus they have a lot of extra features and great customer service. They often offer free pick up or delivery to and from local hotels or even the car hire depot itself.

Independent car hire companies also have the advantage of giving you a more intimate service as they have more time to help you with any questions, making your trip smoother and much more enjoyable.

So, the next time you need to hire a car, instead of heading towards the airport car hire companies, consider Alpha Car Hire in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Melbourne. They offer high quality service and vehicles at very competitive prices. Take a look at Alpha Car Hire’s range online now.

Photo courtesy of Azan photography and Flickr

When you travel overseas or interstate, renting a car can be the easiest way to get around. Airports are often a little far away from your hotel or destination and a lot of places don’t have public transport available in the right areas or it’s too expensive. Renting a car gives you the freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, at a reasonable price. But finding a car rental company that is decently priced and reliable can be hard. Below are some tips on what to look out for.

1. What tier are they in?
   Car hire companies come in three tiers. The first tier is the highest one – they are the companies situated at the airport and hire out fairly new and regularly serviced cars but are more expensive. Second tier is similar to first in that they offer the same vehicle and customer service standards, but are further away from the airport and a little cheaper. The final tier should be avoided, as they often use old cars that aren’t serviced regularly. However, they are also the cheapest option.
2. How close are they?
   Companies near the airport are obviously the closest option, but are often a lot more expensive. The best option here is to find a car hire company that is easily accessible, or offers free pickup or delivery to the airport or local areas.
3. How expensive are they?
   Price is of course a big factor. Renting a car is convenient but make sure to compare companies and aim for one that suits your budget.  But remember price isn’t everything! It’s important that the company meets your other needs such as kilometre allowance, bond cost and excess waivers.  Best practice is to ask as many questions as possible before committing to a rental, if you don’t feel comfortable don’t book.  Don’t forget to ask for a better price, you might be surprised!
4. Know what you’re paying for
   Although what you ultimately want is a car, you also want to make sure you feel safe and don’t have to spend anything extra. Check what the price covers – does it include a certain amount of kilometres? Does it cover excess for single vehicle accidents? Does it include ALL the compulsory fees such as GST? Does the bond stay the same even if you don’t choose to reduce your excess? Where can you take the car? The more you know the better.
5. What kinds of cars are available
   A good car hire company will have a variety of vehicles available from small passenger cars to larger utes and trucks for commercial use. They should have cars small enough for four and big enough for eight, as well as decent boot space, so no matter who you’re travelling with, there’s a car to suit.  It is always best to go for a new car as ‘near new’ or older vehicles tend to be anywhere between 5 and 20 years old. Five years doesn’t sound old when it’s your own car that you have treated like gold. However a rental car that has been on the road 90% of the year for 5 years straight and has been driven by people who don’t know how to drive it, is a completely different vehicle.  It can clock up well over 200,000 kilometres in just 5 years.

One company that you can count on for competitive prices and great service is Alpha Car Hire. They do car hire from Brisbanedown to Melbourne and has grown to be one of the best car hire companies in Australia. Take a look online now.

Hiring a car can be a great alternative to paying for taxis or public transport while you’re on holidays in Australia. It allows you the freedom to go where you want, when you want, as well as the space to stretch out and enjoy the ride without being stuffed like sardines next to strangers. However, hiring a car can have its pitfalls, and knowing them can save you a lot of money and time.

The first step to hiring a car is making sure you are eligible. There are a number of requirements you must meet in order to hire out a car. The minimum age for hiring a car is 21 and the vehicles type is also limited until 25 years of age. Generally there are extra costs involved if you are under the age of 25 as younger drivers are more prone to accidents.

Another requirement is having a suitable driver’s license and credit card. The driver and any additional drivers must have a valid non-provisional Driver’s License from their home country if it is in English or a valid International Driver’s License with the original license if it is not in English. A credit card is also required for the security bond when the car is picked up. The credit card holder will be considered the main driver and anyone else additional drivers. This is needed as a guarantee for the car hire company. Additional drivers must be with the main driver at time of pickup so they can present their valid Driver’s License as well.

It is also important to know what liability or excess you will have to pay in the event of an accident. With most companies, this can be reduced by paying an additional amount to the rental of the car per day. When making a reservation of a hire car, make sure you know your Standard Liability and Liability Reduction options so you don’t get caught out.  For example, some companies take a higher bond of up to $3000 from your credit card if you don’t take their Liability Waiver. This is why it’s really important to know what you are getting yourself into before making a car rental booking.

Another important thing to know is the mileage you get each day. Most rentals include unlimited or a decent amount of kilometres per day, whereas other companies that offer much cheaper rentals only include 100kms per day. This is where you would get stung by extra charges for the kilometres when you return your car, so make sure you find out exactly what your quote includes.

Child seats are a legal requirement in Australia for children under the age of 8. You can bring your own if they are suitable, but it is recommended to pre-book child seats with the car hire company due to availability. Car seats are additional cost but are a legal requirement for children under 8 years of age. Also keep in mind that car hire companies generally don’t fit the baby seats into the car as they don’t want to be held accountable should anything happen.

For more information on what to look out for before hiring a car, call Brisbane-based car hire company Alpha Car Hire on 1300 22 74 73. Their competitive prices and adherence to Australian standards are among the best in the country and can help you know all your options and obligations so you can get the most for your money.