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Car Hire in Melbourne

Part of our guide to car hire in Australia.

Driving and Parking in Melbourne: What You Need to Know

Side of the road: Australia drives on the left. Take extra care at intersections, especially when turning right, and collect the car at a quiet time if you normally drive on the right.
Licence for visitors: You need a valid licence for the type of vehicle, and any conditions on your home licence still apply in Victoria. If it is not in English, carry an International Driving Permit or a translation.
Trams: Around 75% of Melbourne's tram tracks share the road with other vehicles. Overtake trams on the left only, give way to trams at roundabouts, and stop level with the rear of a stopped tram until the doors close. Some lanes are tram-only at peak times, so read the signs.
Hook turns: At signed city intersections marked right turn from left only, approach in the left lane and signal right. Move to the far left of the intersection, clear of the pedestrian crossing, and turn when the light on the road you are entering goes green.
Speed limits: Limits are in kilometres per hour. Most local streets outside the centre are 50 km/h, busy urban roads are 60 km/h, and some busy streets are 30 or 40 km/h. One-way sections of some laneways, such as Flinders Lane, are 20 km/h. School zones are reduced during term, from 8:00 to 9:30 am and 2:30 to 4:00 pm, and a 40 km/h limit applies when passing a stationary emergency or enforcement vehicle with flashing lights.
Alcohol and phones: The blood alcohol limit is 0.05% for a full licence holder. Using a phone, GPS, smartwatch or camera while driving is an offence, so pull off the road safely before you use one.
Seat belts and children: Everyone must wear a seat belt, and the driver is responsible for passengers. Children under seven need an approved restraint suited to their age and size, from a rear-facing seat for babies to a booster seat for four to six year olds. Request a child seat from the supplier in advance.
Toll roads: Melbourne's toll roads include CityLink and EastLink, and tolls are charged electronically against the vehicle. Visitor passes are available for both. Ask your supplier at collection how tolls on your hire car are charged and billed, as the arrangement is not confirmed in this guide.
On-street parking: There are around 3,000 marked kerbside bays in the central city, and parking is generally limited to two hours in the CBD and other busy areas. Sensors can detect overstaying, and some roadside lanes become clearways at peak hours, so read each sign.
Car parks: More than 130 commercial car parks offer about 68,000 spaces in the central city, and council-operated car parks are priced slightly below commercial rates. Pre-booking online usually gives the best rate, and the EasyPark app makes stays under 15 minutes free in the City of Melbourne.
Congestion: Gridlock is no longer limited to rush hour in Melbourne, and peak-hour clearways and tram-only lanes change what you can do on certain roads. Allow extra time when driving through the centre, particularly on weekday mornings and evenings and on event days.
Fuel: Refill the tank before returning the car to avoid refuelling charges, and confirm the fuel type on your booking confirmation before you refuel.

Top Places to Visit from Melbourne by Car

Healesville and the Yarra Valley — about 63 km east, in roughly 55 minutes. The Yarra Valley takes between 45 and 90 minutes to reach depending on the destination, and Warburton, in the forested end of the region, is around 90 minutes away.
Mornington Peninsula — about 71 km south-east, in roughly 1 hour 5 minutes, and up to 90 minutes in traffic. It suits a day trip or a longer stay.
Phillip Island — about 136 km south-east, in roughly 1 hour 40 minutes and up to two hours depending on traffic.
Great Ocean Road — the route is 243 km long, and the Twelve Apostles are about 228 km from the city, in 3 to 4 hours depending on the source and the stops. Book at least one night rather than attempting the full route in a day.

When is the Best Time to Hire a Car in Melbourne?

Peak season: December to February is the busiest period. School holidays run from December into January, the Australian Open takes place in January, and January and February are the hottest months, with temperatures sometimes above 30°C. Bushfires are a summer risk, so check conditions before you travel.

Shoulder season: March and April have mild, sunny weather and a heavy events calendar, including the Australian Grand Prix. September to November is warmer but has the most unpredictable weather, and the AFL Grand Final and the Melbourne Cup fall in spring.

Low season: June to August is cold, with average highs of about 15°C and shorter, often overcast days. It is one of the driest times of the year, and fewer visitors travel.

Advance booking: Book several weeks ahead for the summer holidays and for major event weekends, and as soon as your dates are fixed for any hire that has to match a flight arrival. Free cancellation means booking early carries no penalty if plans change, and the balance is paid at the desk on collection, so nothing is charged in full at the time of booking.

Before you drive away: Photograph the vehicle thoroughly at collection and again at return, including all four sides, the wheels, the windscreen and the interior. Dated photographs give you a clear record of the condition you received, and they are the quickest way to settle any question about marks that were already there.

Fuel: Confirm the fuel type shown on your booking confirmation before you refuel, and ask at collection which fuel policy applies to your hire, so that you return the car as the supplier expects.

How Payment Works for Car Hire in Melbourne

Payment is made in two steps. A rental prepayment confirms your booking online, with Instant Confirmation from the supplier. You then pay the balance directly to the supplier on arrival, when you collect the car.

The price and vehicle class shown at booking are the terms you receive at the desk. Because the full rental amount is not charged at the time of booking, you keep flexibility if your plans change, and cancellation is free.

The supplier may place an excess hold on the main driver's credit card at collection, so check that the card in the driver's name has enough available limit. The amount is shown in your booking confirmation.

Car Hire Suppliers in Melbourne

Car hire in Melbourne is available through the following supplier.

Green Motion

Car Hire Pick-Up Locations in Melbourne

Your booking confirmation from eCarBookers locks in your price and your vehicle class before you arrive. You pay the balance at the desk on collection, and the terms confirmed at booking are the terms you receive. Always confirm your hire in advance to guarantee your price from the moment you collect the keys.

Melbourne Airport (MEL)

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book my Melbourne car hire in advance?: Yes. Your booking confirmation from eCarBookers locks in your price and your vehicle class before you arrive. You pay the balance at the desk on collection, and the terms confirmed at booking are the terms you receive. Always confirm your hire in advance to guarantee your price from the moment you collect the keys.
Can I get zero-excess cover for my Melbourne hire?: Yes. Fully comprehensive zero-excess cover is available directly from your supplier at the desk on collection. The cover is provided by the hire company itself, not a third-party insurer, so once added there is no excess to pay and no reimbursement claim to file.
Can I book car hire in Melbourne and pay on arrival?: Yes. Pay on arrival car hire through eCarBookers means the balance is paid at the desk on collection. Your booking confirmation shows the price, the vehicle class and the amount due, so nothing changes between booking and collection.
What is the minimum age to hire a car in Melbourne?: The minimum age varies by supplier and vehicle category. Most suppliers set a minimum of 21, and some charge a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25 and apply a maximum age. Check the age terms in your booking confirmation before you travel.
Can I hire a car in Melbourne and return it somewhere else?: One-way hire depends on the supplier and the vehicle class, and a different drop-off location may involve a fee. Confirm the arrangement before you book, and ask whether a return in another city or state is permitted if your trip ends elsewhere in Victoria.
Are there toll roads in Melbourne?: Yes. Melbourne's toll roads include CityLink and EastLink, and tolls are charged electronically against the vehicle. Visitor passes are available for both roads. Ask your supplier at collection how tolls are charged and billed on your hire car.
How do hook turns work in Melbourne?: At intersections signed right turn from left only, approach in the left lane and signal right. Move to the far left of the intersection, clear of the pedestrian crossing, and wait until the light on the road you are entering turns green before you turn.

What insurance is included with my car hire in Melbourne?: The basic rate includes the supplier's standard collision damage waiver (CDW), which carries an excess. The exact amount is shown before you confirm your booking. Tyres, glass, underbody damage, lost or damaged keys, and a flat battery caused by driver error are typically excluded from standard CDW cover across the car hire industry. Always check your booking confirmation for the specific terms applicable to your hire.
Do I pay now or when I arrive in Melbourne?: You confirm your booking online with a rental prepayment, and you pay the balance directly to the supplier on arrival. The full rental amount is not charged at the time of booking.
What happens if I cancel my Melbourne car hire?: Cancellation is free. The terms for your booking are shown in your booking confirmation, and because the full rental amount has not been taken, your plans can change without a large sum tied up in the hire.
Do I need a credit card to hire a car in Melbourne?: Yes. The main driver should present a credit card in their own name with a limit high enough to cover the excess hold placed by the supplier, together with a valid driving licence and passport. If your licence is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit or an official English translation.
When is the best time to book a hire car in Melbourne for lower prices?: Demand is highest from December to February, when school holidays and the Australian Open fall, and around major event weekends such as the Australian Grand Prix in March and the Melbourne Cup in spring. Booking outside those periods usually gives lower prices, and booking several weeks ahead gives the widest choice of vehicle classes.
Where can I park in Melbourne?: There are around 3,000 marked kerbside bays in the central city, generally limited to two hours, and more than 130 commercial car parks. Council-operated car parks are priced slightly below commercial rates, and pre-booking online usually gives the best rate. Read each sign, as some roadside lanes become clearways at peak hours.
How do I drive safely around trams in Melbourne?: Overtake trams on the left only, and give way to trams at roundabouts. Stop level with the rear of a stopped tram and wait for the doors to close before you pass. Some lanes are tram-only at peak times, so read the signs.