Rideshare Car Rentals in Australia

For those who don’t own a vehicle directly, rentals are a flexible, practical, and affordable solution for earning a living. But how and where can you rent a car for rideshare and deliveries, and is it a better option than purchasing a vehicle outright?

Renting vs. owning: What’s best for rideshare drivers?

Rideshare car rentals are flexible and convenient. However, they do come with distinct considerations compared to traditional car ownership.

Considerations if you rent a car

The key differences are centred around expenses and obligations. Rentals have lower upfront costs; no large down payment or monthly loan repayments are required. You also don’t have to pay for repairs, maintenance, or insurance, as these are typically included in the plans offered by rental companies.

This allows you to enjoy the benefits of a high-quality vehicle—rideshare rentals meet specific criteria, such as newer models with features including sat-nav and large cargo space—without the usual costs that go with them. Rentals also have flexible duration, terms, and renewals.

However, there are downsides. Rental obligations can restrict your earning potential and eat into your profits. This is because rental agreements often feature mileage limits (with additional fees for exceeding them), restrictions on usage for specific services and platforms, and the burden of fixed costs regardless of your performance and usage.

Considerations if you use your own car

Owning a vehicle frees you from rental-specific obligations and limits such as capped kilometres and short rental periods.

Ownership also allows you to deduct expenses, including vehicle registration, fuel costs, insurance premiums, and repairs associated with your rideshare job. However, you will be responsible for repairing and maintaining the car, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

When deciding whether to rent or own, you should consider the initial costs, ongoing expenses, and potential earnings against these expenses, considering your current financial situation. You also need to determine how much you value the flexibility and convenience of rideshare rentals.

While rentals are viable in the long term, owning a vehicle is usually more cost-effective.

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How does Uber’s rental program work?

The Uber rental program is flexible, making it an excellent ride-sharing option in Australia. Drivers can source various vehicles—cars, vans, and utes—by the hour, day, week, or longer. 

Uber partners with numerous companies to offer rideshare rentals in Australia. These include Hertz, Thrifty, Sixt, Keyz, Splend, Turo, and East Coast Rental. This follows the decision to discontinue its ‘Carshare’ service in September 2024 “due to increasing costs and operational challenges.”

To qualify for an Uber car rental, you must be 21 years old, have a valid driving licence and a credit or debit card.

The process for a car rental from Uber is quite simple.

• Vehicle selection: Navigate to the Uber app or website, click “Uber Rent” and then “Rental Cars.” After entering your address, you can search for vehicles suitable for ridesharing and delivery work.
• Booking: Select a rental duration based on your needs - from one hour to up to six months - consider any add-ons, and then finalise your rideshare rental.
• Pickup: Head to the car hire location. Bring your driver’s licence, the credit card used for the reservation, and an additional form of ID—a passport or national ID.
• Return: After your rideshare rental is complete, return the vehicle to the location confirmed in the reservation.

Requirements for ridesharing outside of Uber

The process for an Uber Eats or Doordash car rental is similar to Uber's. However, the criteria for rentals aren’t usually as strict or exhaustive. 

For example, Doordash doesn’t mandate the need for high-quality vehicles, making rentals more flexible and costs lower.

Uber Eats also has a more lenient policy, with vehicles only needing to meet basic requirements - models from 1990 or newer. This makes it easier to shop around for a vehicle within your budget. 

However, Didi does have stricter car requirements. Cars rented for ridesharing typically have to adhere to stricter requirements than vehicles rented for delivery.

Which companies offer rentals for ridesharing?

A wide range of companies offer rideshare car rentals in Australia. When selecting a rental, consider factors including the cost, contract flexibility, insurance coverage, and ease of use. All these companies offer vehicles compliant with safety, age, and condition standards. 

Each provider offers different terms, so be sure to review the details to find a rideshare car rental suited to your needs.

Hertz

Hertz has Uber Partner Locations in eleven states across Australia. It markets its services in “most major metros”. One major perk is unlimited miles for driving for both business and personal use.

Rental duration and cost

Hertz offers a seven-day rental period. Rideshare drivers can renew their rental every seven days after that, up to three times over a month. However, vehicles must be returned to the original rental branch after 28 days, where a new contract can be opened.

Hertz offers a base rental rate of $214 per week, excluding all other charges, such as tax and gas. The company also authorises an additional $200 security deposit at the point of rental.

Insurance coverage

All Hertz rentals include liability protection, standard maintenance, and vehicle damage protection. Roadside assistance is also available 24/7, year-round.

Requirements

To rent a vehicle, your Hertz account must be in “good standing, " meaning it’s active and hasn’t violated any rental policies. You must also be 21 or older, with a valid driving licence and credit or debit card.

How to rent

To select a rideshare car, you must create an Uber account and select “Hertz” from the Partner Dashboard in the “Vehicles” section. From here, simply click “Rent a Vehicle” and choose from the available options. You can then confirm a pickup appointment time at a Hertz branch. You can also see the process on Hertz's page dedicated to their Uber partnership.

Thrifty

Thrifty's rideshare rental service is for registered UberX drivers only. During the application process, Thrifty requests an estimate of how many hours per week you will work for Uber. Rentals are only available in Sydney.

Rental duration and cost

Thrifty offers flexible rental terms, from one week to a maximum of eight weeks. You will then have the option to renew the contract.

Vehicles are available to rent starting from $246 per week. The hatchback option is the most affordable; full-size has a rate of $339 per week. Thrift takes an advance from your credit card and a weekly debit after that, depending on the length of your contract. They also “hold” a deposit until your rental period ends.

Insurance coverage

Thrifty offers “standard insurance” with each rental agreement. This includes Premium Protection coverage with standard roadside assistance.

Requirements

To rent a rideshare vehicle from Thrifty, you must be at least 25 years old and a registered UberX driver. You must also:

• Be located in proximity to the Sydney central business district
• Have a valid Australian driving licence and a clean record
• Provide three documents: driving licence, proof of address and passport or ID card

How to rent

Thrifty promises a “quick application” process. To get started, you need to fill out an online application form. After submission, you can expect to pick up your rental within three days. 

Rideshare rentals are only available in Sydney CBD. To book, visit Thrifty’s home page and select a pickup location, date and time, and drop-off date and time. Dropping off a vehicle in another location will result in an additional charge.

Europcar

Europcar is an excellent option for Doordash and Didi car rental, as it doesn’t require drivers to be Uber-registered to sign up. No previous rideshare or delivery experience is required, either.

Europcar offers rentals in six capital cities: Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

Rental duration and cost

Europcar's rideshare rentals are for a minimum of one week. The company advertises “flexible rental options to suit your schedule”. There is a 2,100km per week allowance for business use. 

Renting a car from Europcar starts from $195 per week for an entry-level hatchback. This increases for larger vehicles - a sedan costs $265, and a van costs $400. 

Insurance coverage

Europcar’s vehicle rentals include third-party liability insurance, with the option to add personal accident protection, as well as glass, lights, and tire protection. When confirming the rental, a summary of included and excluded covers is outlined.

Requirements

To rent a vehicle from Europcar, you must be 21 years of age and have a valid Australian driving licence that has been active for more than twelve months. You must also submit a copy of your licence during the application process.

How to rent

Europcar operates a live booking system. As a rent-a-car driver, you can book a car instantly online or via the app.

Keyz

Keyz is an official Uber Partner available in four locations: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Gold Coast.

Rental duration and cost

Keyz offers a minimum rental duration of two weeks. Rentals start from $199 per week. Keyz also authorises a $500 security deposit for all rentals. 

Insurance coverage

Keyz lists vehicle insurance, car maintenance, and servicing in its “free inclusions” for rideshare drivers. 

Requirements

You must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driving licence that has been active for at least 12 months in the previous two years. Keyz also performs a background check and requests various documents, including a passport and driver profile photo.

How to rent

To rent a car for rideshare with Keyz, you must first complete its “basic online application”. This includes a Q&A section about your Uber Account. After registering your interest, one of the company’s team members will contact you to complete your application. No specific timeline has been provided for this process.

Once approved, Keyz will have a dedicated web page for car rentals targeted at Uber drivers. To rent a vehicle, click through to a car and select “Enquire now”.

Splend

Splend focuses its rental service on Uber rideshare. Its sign-up process asks whether drivers are existing Uber rideshare drivers. If not, Splend can start the Uber application process on your behalf. The service is centred around “subscription plans.”

Rentals are available in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Newcastle, and Sunshine Coast.

Rental duration and cost

Splend advertises “Uber-Approved Cars,” with prices starting from $279 per week. The minimum term is longer than its competitors at six weeks—four weeks with a two-week notice period. There is no charge for returning the vehicle after these six weeks. However, drivers are charged each week if they return the car before the minimum subscription period ends. 

Insurance coverage

Splend’s rental plans include an “all-inclusive package” that provides Damage and Loss Coverage, maintenance, servicing, and more.

Requirements

To rent a vehicle from Splend, you must be 23 or older. You also need to submit a copy of your:

• Driving licence with current address
• Passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate
• Driving history issued by a relevant authority

How to rent

Splend promises to onboard rideshare rentals “within 24 hours” for drivers that have submitted the required documents and are already “Uber approved”. The onboarding process begins with a simple two-step sign-up form.

Splend offers two subscription plans: Flexi and Flexi Own. Flexi is the most popular option for rideshare drivers. After selecting a subscription, you pay a one-off setup fee for the vehicle.

Orix

Orix offers a fleet of “rideshare-ready” vehicles. It operates in seven locations: three in New South Wales, two in Queensland, one in Victoria, and one in Western Australia.

Rental duration and cost

Orix advertises its rideshare-ready vehicles from $195 per week including tax. Drivers can pay in one-week blocks with a flexible “return anytime” policy. The minimum rental period is one week, with no joining fee. There is also a $750 upfront bond charge.

Insurance coverage

All vehicles include comprehensive ride-sharing coverage, regular service and maintenance. Orix also offers a “fair wear and tear” policy with 24/7 road assistance.

Requirements

To rent a ride-sharing vehicle with Orix, you must have a full Australian driving licence, valid for at least twelve months, hold an Australian Business Number (ABN), and provide a utility bill or other document as evidence of your current address.  

How to rent

Like other rental companies, the first phase of the sign-up process involves completing an online form. The form includes input boxes for ‘licence number’, ‘licence class’, and ‘licence expiry date’. Orix also requests a rental start date and end date.

After you have filled in the form, a representative will contact you “shortly”—no definitive timeline is provided. 

Once approved, you can visit the rideshare webpage to select either an “economy” or “compact” vehicle. Orix requests a minimum of 24 hours notice to rent a vehicle. The vehicle can then be collected from seven locations from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. AEST Monday through Friday.