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The Complete New Zealand Driving and Rental Guide

With a territory as large as the United Kingdom but with only a population of 4.5 million inhabitants, New Zealand has always been a popular travel destination thanks to its beautiful and diverse natural sceneries. Here is a driving and rental guide we prepare especially for you aiming at helping you have a smooth road trip.

  • Speed Limit and Traffic Signs
  • Seatbelt and Child Safety
  • Parking, Fuel and Toll
  • Traffic Violation
  • Driving Licence and Age Requirements

Speed Limit and Traffic Signs

In New Zealand, driving is on the left with overtaking on the right. New Zealand has the same system of signs and road code as you would find in the United Kingdom. During winter, especially in the mountains or on South Island, driving can be tricky. Therefore snow chains are highly recommended when renting a car at this season.

Speed Limit

There are speed limits of 100 km/h on highways and 50 km/h in urban areas unless signs say otherwise.

Traffic Signs

There are three major types of signs in New Zealand: compulsory, warning and information signs. Here are some of the regulatory signs that you may often see in New Zealand.

New Zealand Traffic Sign StopStop
New Zealand Traffic Sign Give WayGive Way
New Zealand Traffic Sign No U turnNo U-turn
New Zealand Traffic Sign 30 km/h Speed Limit30 km/h Speed Limit
New Zealand Traffic Sign No StoppingNo Stopping

Warning signs are diamond-shaped with yellow or green background.

New Zealand Traffic Sign 60 km/h Speed Limit Ahead60 km/h Speed Limit Ahead
New Zealand Traffic Sign Merging Traffic from RightMerging Traffic from Right 
New Zealand Traffic Sign Road BumpRoad Bump
New Zealand Traffic Sign Watch for Large Animals (Cattle)Watch for Large Animals (Cattle)
New Zealand Traffic Sign Railway CrossbuckRailway Crossbuck

Information signs are in rectangular shape with a white background.

New Zealand Traffic Sign Left Turn at Any Time With CareLeft Turn at Any Time With Care
New Zealand Traffic Sign Cyclists Cross Here With Care (to the Left)Cyclists Cross Here With Care (to the Left)

Further information on signs for driving in New Zealand can be found in this booklet.

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Seatbelt and Child Safety

Seatbelt Laws

The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers under 15 years wear seat belts. Passengers aged 15 and over are responsible for putting seat belts on themselves.

Booster Seat Laws

All children under 7 must use an approved child restraint appropriate for their age and size. 


You must correctly secure children aged between 7 and 8 in an approved child restraint if one is available in the vehicle. If not, in any child restraint or safety belt that is available. 


For children aged between 8 and 14, a safety belt must be used. If not available, they must travel in the back seat. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Parking, Fuel and Toll

Parking

· Forbidden Parking 


You cannot park your car in the following spots: 


- Along the broken yellow lines along the side of the curb, since it means that parking is not permitted


- Near a corner, curve, hill, traffic island or intersection, if it will stop other people from seeing along the road 


- On, or closer than 5 metres to a fire hydrant, unless somebody who can move the vehicle stays with it 


- In front of or closer than 1 metre to a vehicle entrance 


- On or closer than 6 metres to an intersection, unless there are parking spaces or a notice telling you that you can park there 


· Parking Signs 


Parking signs in New Zealand are marked with numbers indicating how long you can park the car and an arrow to indicate directions. Some are specified with the date of the week as well.

 New Zealand Parking With Specified Time And Arrow New Zealand Parking With Specified Time And Dates And Arrow

· Paid Parking 

All machines accept New Zealand coins, and some of them have been introduced with credit cards and TXT-a-Park payment methods. Currently, you still need to go for Pay-and-Display parking. However, all machines will be upgraded by March 2018 to include Pay By Plate technology, which allows you to enter your vehicle’s registration plate number directly on the machine and pay for it by credit card, debit card, coins or TXT-a-Park. Note that there is a 50-cent fee for credit card or TXT-a-Park transaction.

New Zealand Paid Parking Metre(Image from Stuff.co.nz)

Fuel Prices

The average gasoline price in New Zealand in November 2017 is $2.22 per litre, while it is of $1.47 for diesel.

Toll

There are three toll roads in New Zealand: the Northern Gateway Toll Road north in Auckland, the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road and the Takitimu Drive Toll Road in Tauranga.

New Zealand Toll Road(Image from nzta.govt.nz)


How much you should pay depends on your car type. You can pay the tolls by debit or credit cards, POLi, and cash. 


Debit or credit card 

You can use your Visa or Mastercard to buy or pay a Pay & Go toll.


POLi 

If you have Internet banking with ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB Bank, Westpac or Bank Direct, then you can buy or pay a Pay & Go toll (external link) using Payment Online (POLi). 


Note: POLi is not available for business internet banking customers. 


Cash 

If you prefer to pay with cash (or by debit/credit card) you can pay your tolls at selected service stations (a transaction fee of $1.20 per transaction will apply). 


Be aware that as a car renter, not paying for the toll fee will result in the car hire company paying it for you and collecting the toll fee along with an add-on of management fee (note that it can sometimes be costly) from your credit card.

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Traffic Violation

DUI Laws

If you are 20 or over, you must not drive if you have consumed more than the legal alcohol limit, which is 250 micrograms per litre of breath or 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood (0.05%). There is a zero tolerance for alcohol if you are under 20.

Traffic Fines

In New Zealand, exceeding the speed limit results in an infringement fine range from $30 to $630. The amount of the infringement fine will depend on the difference between the actual and legal speed limit. 


As for parking, an infringement notice can be issued if a vehicle is parked illegally on public land, or in breach of what a parking sign says. In some circumstances, the vehicle can also be towed away if it is obstructing traffic. 


Normally, there will be a website or hotline number on the front or back of the ticket as well as the reason for the violation fine and the relevant voucher number. Please be aware that you can log onto the website or call the hotline and follow the guidelines to pay the ticket. 


Failure to pay tickets will result in the car hire company paying them on the renter’s behalf, and debit the renter credit card for the fine amount plus an administration fee. Please note that you can always contact QEEQ’ 24/7 customer service team for help if you have questions concerning this matter. 

*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Driving Licence and Age Requirements

At the time of rental in New Zealand, all drivers must present a full and valid driving licence from the renters country of residence and the licence should be held for at least 1 or 2 years ( policies may vary depending on car hire companies). An International Driving Permit is highly recommended for international drivers. If your domestic driving licence is not printed in English (Arabic, Japanese, Cyrillic etc), an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) or an official translation in English is required when you drive in New Zealand.


Minimum age in New Zealand is 21 years (age may vary depending on car category) and the maximum is 80 years of age. If you're 21-25, you are likely to have to pay a young driver fee. If you're 65 or older, you may have to pay a senior driver fee.


*Please be aware that rules are subject to change. QEEQ.COM will try the best to maintain the accuracy of this information.

Guest reviews

1 /
Anonymous

November 5, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Very satisfied.

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Anonymous

November 4, 2025

Destination: Auckland

10Excellent

Picking up the car just required filling out a form, and dropping it off was super quick—they just took a quick look and said everything was fine. Very efficient! The only downside was that the shuttle was a bit hard to find, but other than that, no complaints. The car was really fuel-efficient.

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Anonymous

November 3, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

The car had plenty of space, a roomy trunk, and solid performance. It ran on diesel, which is more fuel-efficient than gas. Everything went smoothly, and the pick-up and drop-off process was super convenient.

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Suzanne Clarissa

October 27, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Great service, we arrived quite late and the staff was waiting for us.

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October 24, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Quick and Convenient Affordable Support

I'm really glad I went with EZU Car Rental because I was hoping for a smooth process, and the return process was fast and simple, the drop-off was right next to the airport which I was impressed by the professionalism. The return process was contactless and quick. See you next time!

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October 24, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

Actually, I chose EZU kind of last-minute, but Booking with EZU was a last-minute decision, but the process was much faster than I expected, the car was exactly as described on the website, I appreciated the flexibility they offered. I was pleased with the overall experience. The car was very fuel efficient. I enjoyed the trip thanks to the reliable car. I felt like I got more than I paid for. Would definitely rent again.

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October 24, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Everything Went Perfectly

I was just looking for a quick rental, and I got a free upgrade, which was a nice surprise. The car was easy to connect to my phone. The car was perfect for our family trip to sum up That kind of smooth experience is rare these days. I left feeling like a valued customer. I'll be back for sure.

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October 24, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Easy Memorable Trip

Actually, I chose EZU kind of last-minute, but the car was fuel-efficient and easy to drive, That kind of smooth experience is rare these days. The car looked brand new and ran smoothly the whole time. The staff offered to help with my bags. I was genuinely impressed. Thanks, EZU!

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Fitch Euphemia

October 24, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

8Very good

The vehicle provided was very new, and the pickup and drop-off processes were quick.

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Soh Teck Chai

October 23, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

8Easy booking , pick up and return process.

Good car and service was great.

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Len Carter

October 21, 2025

Destination: Auckland

10Excellent

Satisfied

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Penelope Charley

October 21, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

Excellent service attitude, quick car pickup, and most importantly, the car is quite new! Well-equipped, smart, and offers a great driving experience!

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Y.Guo

October 20, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Good

Very helpful and smooth

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Bruce Hood

October 20, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

The car rental is right next to the airport, accessible by public transport or by calling for a shuttle from the car rental company, making it very convenient. The cars are clean and well-maintained. I was given a 2023 Mitsubishi ASX, and the car was in great condition. During actual driving, even on mountain roads, the fuel consumption was about 8 liters per 100 kilometers. Most importantly, the price is affordable, offering great value for money.

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Egbert Eve

October 20, 2025

Destination: Auckland

10Excellent

The company is quite professional. Picking up and returning the car didn’t take too long, and they provided the specified car model without any upselling.

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Bowen Carroll

October 19, 2025

Destination: Auckland

10Excellent

The vehicle was in good condition, clean, and the exterior was almost flawless.

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Arno Harriman

October 19, 2025

Destination: Auckland

10Excellent

The staff was very enthusiastic, explaining all the details and precautions on the way to pick up the car, just like introducing their own child. The service was excellent!

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Parker Gladstone

October 19, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

Very good, convenient, and friendly.

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Wendell Nehemiah

October 19, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Very satisfied

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Channing Dick

October 19, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

The staff patiently explained the instructions and did not try to upsell.

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Marsh Price

October 18, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

We received a Ford Puma that was very new with only 20,000 kilometers on it. The entire trip went smoothly without any issues. I would rent again next time.

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Bard Collins

October 17, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Excellent service

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Richard Wesley

October 16, 2025

Destination: Auckland

10Excellent

Very affordable.

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Marshall Nora

October 15, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

Excellent service.

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Leo Tours

October 14, 2025

Destination: Auckland

10Excellent

They upgraded to a brand-new model for free.

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Emily Cowper

October 14, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

There is a free shuttle bus from the airport to the car lot. The staff are very friendly, provide detailed explanations, and the process of picking up and returning the car is quick and convenient. Overall, the car was in great condition and very clean.

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Barret Sander

October 13, 2025

Destination: Auckland

10Excellent

Very satisfied, fast pickup and return process.

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Reginald Thoreau

October 13, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

Extremely satisfied, they even delivered the car to the airport.

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Porter Lindberg(h)

October 13, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Picking up and returning the car was very convenient and faster than expected, barely taking any time. The rental service was located right outside the airport and easy to spot. I didn’t get the Camry I booked and was given a Subaru instead. The accelerator felt a bit sensitive, but it struggled to gain power uphill. Not sure if it’s the model or just this particular car. Overall, the service was pretty good.

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Eden Dutt

October 12, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

Very easy to find! The service attitude is excellent! The Mazda CX-5 trunk can fit one 28-inch suitcase, one 29-inch odd-shaped suitcase, one 24-inch suitcase, a 20-inch suitcase, and some miscellaneous items (for reference).

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Griselda Eddie

October 12, 2025

Destination: Auckland

10Excellent

If there are multiple drivers, an extra $8 per person per day is required. Also, parking needs to be prepaid; otherwise, fines can be significant. The vehicle was spacious and relatively new. We traveled from the North Island to the South Island for 11 days and used just over two tanks of fuel. CarPlay was very convenient, and there was no need for an additional phone holder. QEEQ and Europcar coordinated seamlessly, and pickup was quick. The only downside is that claims require upfront payment and reimbursement later, though luckily, there were no costs incurred this time.

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Ward Wood

October 12, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Renting a car was very convenient. Although the rental location is not inside the airport, there is a shuttle bus from Christchurch Airport's Gate 4. After calling, it only took about 10 minutes for the shuttle to arrive, which was very convenient. The rental process was quick as long as you completed online check-in in advance. On-site, you only needed to confirm a few details. It was raining heavily that day, and the staff at the rental office kindly drove the car to the front door for us. Our own phone mount was not sticky enough to use, but the staff generously gave us one for free. The overall experience was excellent. Another highlight was the one-way rental. We picked up the car in Christchurch and returned it in Queenstown. The Queenstown branch is near the airport, and during business hours, you can even take a complimentary shuttle back to the airport after returning the car. Overall, the experience was amazing. If you are experienced, self-driving in New Zealand is truly incredible because the best views in NZ are not in the attractions but on the roads. There are many small turn-offs along the way where you can stop temporarily to admire the mountains, snow-capped peaks, lakes, grasslands, and flocks of sheep and cattle.

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Adelaide Rayleign

October 11, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Pick-up and drop-off were very efficient.

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Otis Joe

October 11, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

The service attitude was excellent. The shuttle location was clearly indicated, and the staff was very friendly when we called the company. The vehicle was in great condition, and the inspection was meticulously conducted. All wear and tear were documented on the computer, and there was absolutely no upselling—truly outstanding service.

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Egbert Eve

October 11, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

8Very good

Great service attitude!

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Jacqueline Huggins

October 11, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

Patient communication and clear instructions for pickup, usage, and return.

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Burton Brook

October 11, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

The rental car counter is conveniently located to the left right after baggage claim. Returning the car is simple - just drop the keys in the designated mailbox in the parking lot or at the counter's dropbox. The staff on-site recommended upgrading to a Lexus RX AWD with built-in GPS navigation, which saved us a lot of hassle during our road trip. The built-in navigation had accurate information, speed limit reminders, and assisted driving features. We also upgraded to full insurance and added an additional driver, and the overall cost was very reasonable! This experience was truly fantastic!!

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Fanny Nell

October 10, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

The rental staff were very friendly and gave us a brand-new pickup truck with just over 1,000 kilometers on it. The truck bed had a cover, providing a large storage space. We easily fit three suitcases inside with plenty of room to spare. The vehicle had great power, and we felt completely at ease even when driving through waterlogged roads while exploring several national parks. The return process was very efficient—they only asked if the tank was refueled and refunded the deposit quickly in no time.

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Vita Hugh

October 10, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

Very good, self-service pickup. The car is cleaned for you and works very well. It's smooth to drive, and I really like it. Driving it for six days was truly comfortable.

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Odelia Lucius

October 10, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Pretty good, mostly self-service.

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Humphrey Birrell

October 9, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

The curly-haired guy at the counter was very enthusiastic and explained everything clearly.

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Montague Dorothea

October 9, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

The store is convenient to locate. Returning the car was especially easy, just handed over the keys and that's it. However, the car model I reserved did not match the one I received; the actual vehicle was a Ford. Additionally, I had booked a compact SUV expecting unrestricted routes, but when I got the car, I was informed that I couldn't go to Deer Garden Heights and Paradise Road, which disrupted my plans.

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June MacMillan

October 9, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

The Avis staff were very friendly and nice. They also briefly explained that the car features a quiet start, which is different from regular cars.

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Kimberley Howell(s)

October 9, 2025

Destination: Auckland

8Very good

The service was quite good.

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Lilith Maria

October 8, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

The car was in good condition, the service was great, and there were no sales pitches.

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Lynn John

October 8, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

After picking up my luggage, the rental car store was right next to me. The staff checked my driver's license and verification documents, filled out some information, and gave me the keys. Exit through Gate 5 to find the parking lot, and the location provided by the staff made it easy to locate the car. The new car was clean, comfortable, and in excellent condition. When returning the car, simply park it, hand the key back at the store counter, and answer whether the tank is full. That’s it.

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Channing Dick

October 8, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Very satisfied, highly recommended!

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Tom Funk

October 8, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

Very good, the car is very new, and both pickup and drop-off are convenient.

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Owen Thorndike

October 8, 2025

Destination: Christchurch

10Excellent

The car was in excellent condition, and the return process was quick.

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Tabitha Webster

October 8, 2025

Destination: Queenstown

10Excellent

Great service, with clear overall procedures. However, buying insurance on the platform doesn't make much sense since you still need to purchase local insurance on-site.

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Best car rental deals in New Zealand

Best rates found by QEEQ users in the last 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

Q1.What is an insurance excess?

The excess is the amount you'll only be liable for in case of damage(under Collision Damage Waiver) or theft(under Theft Protection) of the vehicle.
Information about the excess will be clearly stated in the price inclusion when you reserve a car on QEEQ.

Q2. How can I add an addtional driver?

You are advised to make a request upon your arrival at the rental counter. Additional charge per day will incur unless '1 Additional Driver Included' is stipulated on the rental.
Please note that the same licence and age requirement applys to the additonal driver. The addtional driver is supposed to present the required licence document along with the main driver at pickup.

Q3.What if I want to pick up or drop off my rental car out of office hours?

QEEQ will show you the car offers available at your chosen time on the search results.
However, pick-up or drop-off out of general opening hours may subject to an extra fee unless self-service pick-up or drop-off is available.
After you reserve a car on QEEQ, we will inform you of specific policy of the car hire company by email.

Q4. Can I take the hired car to another country or cross border?

If you want to pick up your car in one country and drop it in another, your search results will show you cars you can do that with.
If you're planning to cross any borders during your trip, bear in mind:
1. You may have to pay more.
There are often extra fees, taxes or additional cover you'll pay at the car hire counter.
2.It may not be allowed.
Depending on where you're hiring, you may not be able to take your car to another country.
Please email us if you want to take your hire car into a different country during your trip, and we'll talk you through your options.

Q5. Can I pick up my car at one location and return it at different location?

Yes. You can pick up the vehicle in one place and drop it off in another. An ‘one-way fee’ will incur. Whether it is inclued in the rental price or what additional cost may arise will be clearly stated at the time of booking on QEEQ.
Please inform the car hire company of your drop-off location when you pick up the vehicle or contact them directly during your trip. You will find a phone number on the rental agreement you signed at pickup.

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