rental cars on unsealed roads

Old Mar 4th, 2008, 08:38 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
rental cars on unsealed roads

We are looking into rental cars to drive from Ayers Rock to Alice Springs this coming September.

There appear to be some places where we might want to go on an unsealed road. (Rainbow Valley for one).

If we rent a 4WD, can we assume that it will be allowed on unsealed roads? Seems like it should be.

The websites for the rental cars are unclear about this--and I'm having trouble getting them to e-mail me back.
caligirl56 is offline  
Old Mar 4th, 2008, 11:44 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,963
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
Hi Caligirl,
You would think so .. but it isn't always that way, unfortunately.
There is usually a toll-free number for Australian rental car companies, so I think it would be worth your while to call them if you can't get an email response. Tell them your intended itinerary, distances etc & see what they say. If they agree, make sure you get the FULL name of the person you speak with and ask them to confirm in fax/email to you. If they don't want to give you their surname (and some companies don't for security reasons), they will have a company ID number. ("Andy in reservations on 5th March" won't cut it when there's a dispute at the booking counter).

You might have some joy with this website www.drivenow.com.au/DrivingInAustralia
or www.atn.com.au

Bokhara2 is offline  
Old Mar 4th, 2008, 01:01 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi, when we rented a 4WD in Queensland, there were written guidelines (on the web--read the fine print on the website you are looking at, they will probably have a link) as to where we could and could not go (i.e. not north of Cooktown, etc.) so make sure. If you are the disregard the rules type, then go for it, but we didn't want to be stuck with an expensive dispute on our vacation, so we followed their rules.
Sally in Seattle
SnRSeattle is offline  
Old Mar 4th, 2008, 02:04 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,963
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post
.... and if you do disregard the "no off-road" terms & come unstuck, it will invalidate the insurance cover & you'll be stuck with whatever the rental company hits you with for the repair/recovery.
Bokhara2 is offline  
Old Mar 4th, 2008, 03:59 PM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you both. We definitely want to play by the rules. We aren't willing to take the chance that something would go wrong.

I'll check out those websites and keep researching!
caligirl56 is offline  
Old Mar 8th, 2008, 02:31 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also check 'local' rules such as no driving at night outside of towns in the Northern Territory.
Chop is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AlwaysOnTheRoad
Europe
6
Jun 20th, 2008 01:21 PM
GBelle
United States
18
Sep 2nd, 2004 06:01 AM
DianeK
United States
4
Nov 14th, 2003 05:25 AM
Good Driver
United States
14
Dec 9th, 2002 04:45 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -