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Avis Terms & Conditions - Summary of Key Points

Please note: for Avis New Zealand's full terms and conditions, a link will be provided upon booking submission.

Below is a summary of the most important information. If you have further questions, please contact our customer care team.

Rental Vehicle Excess

The excess can range between NZD $4,025 and NZD $5,980 depending on the vehicle type, and will be specified in the Rental Agreement you accept upon pick up.

The excess is the most you’ll pay towards repairs for damages to the vehicle’s bodywork, where the repairs are covered by the rental provider’s basic insurance. The basic insurance often doesn’t cover damage to other parts of the vehicle (overhead, underbody, interior, windows, wheels) or other charges (misfuelling, loss of use, key loss, towing, roadside assistance, child seats, GPS devices, personal belongings); you may be charged full costs for repair or replacement expenses that are not covered by the basic insurance.

Protection options to reduce or reimburse the rental vehicle excess are available. These options include third-party Rental Vehicle Excess insurance, and excess reduction waivers sold by the rental provider at the rental counter.

Credit Card Surcharge

The credit card surcharge is a percentage of the total transaction debited by Avis.

  • Mastercard: 2.2%
  • Visa: 2.2%
  • American Express: 3.1%
  • Diners Club: 3.1%

Security Deposit/Bond

For the security of the credit card holder, the primary driver must present a credit card in their own name. It is not possible to collect a vehicle with someone else's credit card.

Credit/Debit Card Payments

If paying by credit/debit card, a security hold of NZD $200 ( NZD $400 for commercial vehicles), in addition to the estimated total rental charges, will be charged to the nominated card. The card holder will not have access to the security deposit funds until billing is finalised upon completion of the booking.

Accepted Cards

  • Mastercard
  • Visa
  • American Express
  • Diners Club

Debit Card Payments

Avis accepts any debit card which:

  • is issued by a bank or other financial institution; and
  • displays the Mastercard or Visa logo; and
  • has the primary driver’s name and card number on the card.

Prepaid and Reloadable Debit Cards, Gift Cards, Travel Cards & EFTPOS Cards

These forms of payment are not accepted by Avis.

Driver and Licence Requirements

Upon commencement of the booking, renters are required to present a valid passport or national ID card, an unrestricted driver licence printed in English, and an accepted credit or debit card.

Drivers Licence & ID

A valid driver licence from the primary driver’s country of residence must be presented in person upon collection of the rental vehicle.

Pink-issued New Zealand driver licences are not accepted. Pink driver licences are subject to special conditions as the result of a suspension or disqualification. There are three different pink licences, including those displaying the words: Limited, Alcohol Interlock, and Zero Alcohol Limit.

The licence must certify the driver as qualified to legally operate the class and category of the vehicle being rented.

All driver licences printed in non-Latin/non-Roman characters must be accompanied by a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). International Driving Permits serve only as a translation and are only valid if presented in conjunction with a valid driver licence of the issuing country.

Any and all required documentation must be under the primary driver’s name and be presented by the primary driver upon collection of the rental vehicle.

Chinese Driver Licences

Chinese licences are accepted when presented in conjunction with a full English translation supplied by an approved translator, including notary translations performed in China.

Driver Age Requirements

Avis requires drivers to be of or over the age of 21, however, drivers under the age of 25 may incur a daily Young Driver surcharge of NZD $25 (excluding GST) per day.

These minimum age requirements may also restrict the types of vehicles available to young drivers. There are no maximum age restrictions for older drivers renting with Avis.

Local fees and charges may be added to the total cost of the booking by Avis upon collection of the rental vehicle.

Additional Drivers

Additional drivers can be added to the Rental Agreement upon collection of the rental vehicle.

Additional drivers are permitted to drive the rental vehicle, provided they meet the following requirements:

  • All additional drivers must present a valid driver licence upon collection of the rental vehicle.
  • If the additional driver is below the age of 25, they may be charged a Young Driver surcharge.
  • Meet the licence and age requirements set by Avis.
  • Agree to the Rental Agreement terms and conditions.

Additional drivers may be added to the Rental Agreement without charge where they are:

  • The primary driver’s spouse.
  • The primary driver’s employer, employee, fellow employee or partner, if it is disclosed that the vehicle is being rented for business purposes.
  • The primary driver is an Avis Preferred and Presidents Club member.

Any additional driver who does not fit the categories above will be charged per day to be authorised to drive the rental vehicle. A cost of NZD $5 (excluding GST) per day per driver—capped at 5 days—at a maximum charge of NZD $25 (excluding GST) will be incurred.

Additional fees and charges may be applied by the rental provider upon collection of the rental vehicle.

Multi-Island Hire

Avis rental vehicles are not permitted to travel on the inter-island ferries across the Cook Strait.

Avis has a special rental system called Multi-Island Hire, which allows for a continuous journey spanning two vehicles—one vehicle per island. If you require a Multi-Island Hire, a minimum rental duration of three consecutive days is required per island, with a minimum total of six days across both islands. If this requirement is not met, the rental will be charged as two separate bookings.

For repeated travel between islands, the third vehicle (and subsequent vehicles) will not be subject to a minimum duration. Vehicles for Multi-Island Hire can be arranged for collection from any Avis location in New Zealand subject to availability.

You can cross between the two islands using the Picton Ferry Terminal and the Wellington Ferry Terminal, or you can fly into cities where Avis is located. Note: this policy only applies if you are traveling to the other island, not to a location within the same island. A maximum of 5 hours is allowed between the drop off of the vehicle in one island and the pick-up of the next vehicle. A minimum of 72 hours notice is required of the customers intention to cross between the islands if a crossover booking has not been previously made. If notice is not given, we cannot guarantee a vehicle will be available on the other side. Avis vehicles are not permitted to travel between the North and South Islands. If the vehicle is taken on an inter-island ferry, it will not be covered by insurance for any damage incurred. Additionally, where an Avis vehicle is taken between islands, the renter will be liable for a relocation fee of NZD $450 (excluding GST).

Fuel Policy

Full to Full: The vehicle is supplied with a full tank of fuel; if the vehicle is not returned with a full tank of fuel, additional refuelling fees will apply.

Mileage

Unlimited kilometres are included for the duration of the booking unless otherwise specified when booking.