Requirements for Renting
Requirements for Renting

The minimum age to rent an Avis vehicle in New Zealand is 21 years.  A underage surcharge may apply.

Age exceptions may occur where they are part of a separate contractual agreement with Avis. Please check at time of booking to verify if a surcharge applies.

Young drivers may be restricted from driving select specialty vehicles including Avis Signature Series.  

To drive an Avis vehicle in New Zealand, you must hold a full, current and valid driver licence appropriate for the vehicle you are using. A learner, provisional or restricted driver licence is not accepted. Digital driver licences from Australia are not accepted. You must present a physical (plastic) driver licence.

Pink-issued New Zealand Driver Licences, which are subject to special conditions as the result of a suspension or disqualification, are also not an accepted licence to rent with.

If your driver licence is not in English please see Do I need an international driver licence? below.

If your driver licence is in any language other than English, it must be accompanied by an approved translation such as an International Driver Permit, issued in accordance with a United Nations Convention on road traffic. An international drivers permit is not a stand-alone document and must be carried with your valid domestic driving licence. 

Translations must be provided by a NZ Transport Agency authorised translation service, or a diplomatic representative at a high commission, embassy or consulate. Chinese licences are acceptable as long as they are also accompanied with a full English translation from an approved translator. This also includes a notary translation done in China.

Yes. If you lose or have your licence stolen and are waiting on a replacement, an NZTA driver licensing agent can issue a temporary driver licence.

This is accepted at time of rental.

Drivers must have a current form of ID to validate licence details.

Regardless of how you pay, when you start your rental, a pre-authorisation hold will be placed on your bank account for the duration of the rental. In addition, depending on your payment method or type of booking, additional Pre-authorisation holds will apply.

Pre-Authorisations

Please note the Pre-authorisation will be reflected as one amount on your bank account.

At the end of your rental

• Final applicable charges will be processed after your rental is returned; and if applicable any unused portion of the pre-authorisation hold will be released back onto your card.
• The time it takes to release the pre-authorisation hold is not within our control. Depending on your bank, the money is usually released from hold within 7-10 working days. If you have any queries regarding the time it takes to release this pre-authorisation hold, we recommend you contact your bank.
• As this is a temporary hold the pre-authorisation amount will not show as a transaction on your statement. Avis will not be held responsible for any overdraft fees incurred.

Sometimes you might like to share the driving responsibilites and kick back while someone else takes the wheel. Only those people whose names are recorded on the Rental Agreement may drive an Avis vehicle. For more information on additional drivers including any applicable charges please click here.

To ensure the safety of you and your passengers as well as others, the use of seatbelts is mandatory in New Zealand. Children of certain weight ranges may be required to use an approved child safety seat. For more information on these seats please click here.

You must present a valid credit/debit card and a current, full and valid driver licence in your own name. Any additional drivers must also be present at the time of rental and provide a current, full and valid driver licence.

Please Note: Avis does not accept electronic payments with phones or contactless tap and go payment types, you must present a physical card.

Your Rental Agreement details your personal information, your vehicle information, payment method, coverages and rental preferences. Remember to read it carefully as it's a legal binding document.

A Rental Agreement is the document you sign prior to each rental. A Master Rental Agreement is signed when you join Avis Preferred. It details your contact information, preferred payment method, coverages and rental preferences. It allows for faster handling of your reservation which means you can get on the road sooner.