If you’re coming to Australia from a foreign country and want to drive, it’s important to know what the differences are. Although Australia has lots of similar cultural aspects to the Western world and is very open to other cultures, there are also many differences in the road rules and road etiquette. Below are some of the main differences you need to know before driving on an Aussie road.

1. Driving on the left
   In Australia, everyone drives on the left hand side of the road. When on a highway, stick to the left lane unless overtaking. There are also trams in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne and these have right of way to cars. Buses also have right of way when they are leaving a bus stop.
2. Safety belts and child restraints
   Wearing a seat belt is compulsory in Australia. It is also the law to have the right child seats and restraints. When hiring a car, find somewhere that offers baby seats and booster seats if necessary. Most have them for a small fee on top of your hire car costs.
3. Speed limits
   The maximum speed limit on highways in most states is 100kph. Local urban limits range between 50kph and 80kph, with clearly marked signs. All states also have speed detection systems in place as well as red light cameras. When driving in Australia in a hire car make sure to follow all road rules as not only will you take on the cost of the fine but also a processing fee from the car rental company.
4. Driving license
   It is legal for international visitors to drive a car as long as you have a valid overseas drivers license that covers the matching vehicle class. It is important to keep the license with you at all times for both driving and getting into 18+ events. It is a must to carry a translation if the license is not in English otherwise you will not be able to hire a car in Australia.

For more information about the differences in Australia, or you’re looking for cheap car hire in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney, check out Alpha Car Hire’s options and tips. Alpha pride themselves on honesty, good value and friendly customer service. Take a look online or give them a call now.

Have you ever been on a holiday – a quick visit to another city to catch up with old friends, deciding you’ll “save a bit of money” and rely on the local public transport system? How often has that worked out just as you planned? Sitting around at one of the stations in Brisbane only to find out the drivers have gone on strike or the train is currently at Fortitude Valley station – when you’re at Murarrie (that’s a 30 minute delay!!!). Or you’re in Sydney’s CBD having a little too much fun, the time goes past quickly – no more public transport until the next day’s service, the taxi ride alone cost two days worth of car hire in Sydney! This is without mentioning the canned sardine feeling of peak hour services. By the end of the trip the only thing you could think about was which car hire company you were going to use for your next trip. Fortunately, finding cheap car hire in Brisbane is a much more pleasant task than being crammed against loud, smelly school kids on the 3:30pm bus back to your hotel.

From as little as $31 a day, you can have the comfort of your own form of personal transport while giving you the freedom to explore and enjoy the new city as much or as little as you like. Are you in Brisbane and feel like a trip to Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast? Grab the keys (and your 10% Alpha Car Hire entry discount) and head on up. Weather is beautiful and you’re feeling a day out on your boogie? Head on down to the Gold Coast. No lengthy bus or train transfers to get to the beach here. Take advantage of Alpha Car Hire’s free hotel pickup and various discounts ranging from attractions and Sunday/Monday pickup.

For more information on how you can enjoy the perks of car hire visit www.alphacarhire.com.au. Alpha Car Hire is the premier car hire company for all your travel needs, whether you’re looking for car rental in Melbourne, car hire in Sydney or cheap car hire in Brisbane.

Hiring a car while on holidays is a great way to save time and money. It allows you to travel all over your holiday spot without the restrictions of timetables, bus routes or expensive taxi fees. This is a great advantage with car hire in Brisbane as public transport is limited and taxis are quite expensive all over Australia. However, what should you do when you have to send the car back?

One thing that many people question is whether the car should be refuelled. Most don’t want to pay for fuel they aren’t going to use and many think that giving a car back empty is cheap and won’t have any repercussions. However, most companies will charge for refuelling if the car is given back empty and this is often a lot more expensive than if you filled it up yourself. So, fill up your car on your way to the company so you don’t have any looming bills in the mail when you get home.

Another thing to do before returning the car is to make sure the vehicle is in the same condition as it was when you hired it out. If there is a new apparent defect that was not listed when you hired the vehicle, it is important to inform the car hire company for joint examination. This saves you getting having to pay a large sum for something that may not be your fault or may not be difficult to repair.

Other things to do before returning your hire car is to make sure the car is clean and everything is back in place. This means removing any dirt or sand that may have come from dirty feet, putting cup holders and seats in their rightful place and generally neatening things up. You can do this yourself just with a small brush and pan or by going to a car wash and using their vacuuming and cleaning facilities.

If you’re looking for cheap vehicle rental on your next holiday in Queensland, one company that does car hire in Brisbane is Alpha Car Hire. They can give you advice on what to do when hiring a car, from making a reservation to returning the vehicle. For more information, take a look at their FAQ’s page online or give them a call in Australia on 1300 22 74 73.

Are you going away for that long awaited family vacation? How about the annual business trip to the overseas office? How often have you taken a taxi in, only to be gypped when it comes time to pay? And how about on your arrival back home, lining up with all the other passengers waiting for a taxi – the approximate average length of time waiting for a taxi upon arrival is 30 minutes. That’s 30 minutes standing around waiting for your turn to hop in and head on home. If only you’d used Alpha Airport Parking you’d be home by now.

Alpha’s airport parking is available at both Brisbane and Melbourne airports. They have secure open air, secure undercover and indoor motorcycle parking available at both airports. If you’re looking for a bit of luxury then opt for the Super Wash and Polish service while you’re away – it’ll have your car looking and feeling like new upon your return (car wash services are only available at the Brisbane airport parking).

Finalise arrangements, in particular: notify all the relevant authorities of your new address, make sure all gas cylinders are empty and valves are open, sort through the garden shed and start using all food in the fridge and freezer. Don’t forget to return all books and DVDs to their relevant locations.

If, on the other hand, you’re in the need of Brisbane airport car hire, then you’re in luck. Whether it’s for a family holiday or a business trip, Alpha Car Hire has the vehicle to suit your needs. Small cars, sedans, SUVs, 8 seaters and trucks – whatever your need, Alpha has it covered. Both airport parking and Brisbane airport car hire services include shuttle services to and from the airport terminals to keep waiting times to an absolute minimum.

The next time you’re planning a vacation away, forget about those expensive and inconvenient taxis and keep in mind Alpha Airport Parking and Alpha Car Hire. For more information on Melbourne and Brisbane airport car hire call 1300 22 74 73 or visit them online at www.alphaairportparking.com.au.

Hiring a car can be the cheapest and easiest option when you travel overseas or interstate. Public transport and taking taxis can add up, costing you money, time and patience. A hire car allows you to travel where you want and when you want for a minimal fee. However, it is important to note what you are covered for when it comes to any damage to the car and in particular, in relation to single vehicle accidents.

But what are single vehicle accidents? A single vehicle accident applies to incidents where no other motor vehicle is involved, like collisions with animals, trees or pedestrians or when another motor vehicle is involved, but the other vehicle or its driver has not been identified. This can be a very expensive event that is more common than you may think, particularly when driving in a foreign country with unusual road rules.

The thing to note is that many companies do not cover for single vehicle accidents. Although you may assume this is just included, it is essential to read all the terms and conditions and ask if there is anything that you are not covered for while hiring and driving the vehicle. You may think you are getting a bargain but you could be missing out on essentials that could cost more money for you in the long run.

National car hire company, Alpha Car Hire, are one of the few companies that offer an all-inclusive price with cover for single vehicle accidents. They have no hidden fees and strive to be transparent and helpful in every way possible to make your holiday memorable for the right reasons. For more information on other pitfalls to look out for when hiring a car, take a look at this article.