FAQ

EZU, like most companies, require the driver to be 21. There is a young driver fee payable for drivers between 21 and 25.

Most rental car companies require the driver to have held a full licence for at least 12 months. At EZU you can rent a car just as long as you have a full licence - how long is immaterial.

EZU requires you to hold a full, unrestricted driver licence to rent a car. If you have this, there is no requirement as to how long you have held that licence. If your licence is from another country, you may also need an international driver licence. It is a requirement that your licence be in English and if you don't have an international driver permit to show with your domestic licence (you need both with you), you will need an official translation of your foreign licence.

If your licence is from another country, you may also need an international driver permit to present along with your domestic licence. It is a requirement that your licence is in English and if you don't have an international driver licence to show with your domestic licence (you need both with you), you will need an official translation of your domestic licence that is in another language. It is also important, if you are from overseas, to have your passport with you for identification purposes.

You cannot drive any motor vehicle without always having a valid driver licence on you. If you forget the licence, you will not be able to drive, but perhaps there is someone else in your party that has a valid licence, and the hire could be put into their name, or they could be listed as an additional driver.

Unlike many companies, at EZU additional drivers are all totally free. The only limit on how many people you can add is how big the vehicle is you are renting!

You can have as many drivers as you wish, just as long as they hold full, unrestricted licences.

There are many considerations that might help you make a wise decision. The following are just some of them other than the cost of hiring the vehicle, all of which EZU Car Rentals scores highly:

• Does the age of the vehicle matter to you? Some companies have cheaper cars, but they are older. For some people that does not matter, but for others they can be disappointed.
• Have I chosen the right size car for the number of people travelling? You can always get a cheaper vehicle, but it may be too small to fit the number of people you have plus their baggage.
• Are there restrictions in where I can take the vehicle? Do they limit the number of km you can travel? At EZU you have unlimited km.
• Do they have a good reputation? What was their customer service like in the past? Have a look at the online reviews of the company.

What is included in the displayed or advertised rate is the total price for the hire over the period you have nominated. Taxes are included in the quoted price. There is no deposit required at the time of booking.

It is important to book as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. Bookings are usually heavy at EZU because the price is so good. In any event, you need to book 24-hours before your intended pick-up time.

EZU calculates the number of days for your hire in 24-hour periods, not calendar days.

You need accurate dates and times for the location or locations for your hire. This can affect the price.
You will then need, at pick-up, your driver's licence and credit card. If your licence are from overseas you will need an international driver permit and passport.

EZU, like most if not all rental car companies, use the words “or similar” to allow for the fact that it is unlikely you will get the actual car in the picture. What is most important in selecting a car for your hire is that you get one of sufficient size for the number of people and their luggage. It can be tempting to go for a smaller size to keep the cost down.

If you wish to modify a booking, please call or email EZU Car Rentals directly. We are happy to help you and there is no charge.

The simple answer is YES. There are no extra charges for how far you travel.

After you have booked with EZU you will be sent a confirmation email. It will have details about your pick-up, and you can check that all the details are correct.
If you do not get this email, please phone or email EZU - they will be delighted to help you.

Absolutely no problem. There is a $50 after hour fee that applies, but EZU is happy to look after you whatever arrangements work best for you. There is NO fee for pick-ups and drop-offs in Christchurch from 0800 until 1800; and Auckland and Queenstown from 0800 until 1800.

You should bring the following with you when you pick-up your rental:

• Your valid and full driver licence.
• Your international driver licence if your licence is not in English. If your domestic driver licence is not in English, you need both the domestic one and an international driver licence or an official translation of your domestic driver licence.
• Your passport if you are from an overseas country.
• Your credit card. You require a full credit card and not a travel card or debit card.

This is done at the counter when you pick-up the vehicle. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have before you sign. It is quick and simple.

EZU does require a full credit card and it needs to be in the name of the person hiring or one of the other drivers.

Yes - if you choose to pay using a credit card, you will be charged 2%. If you only use the credit card as security on the vehicle and pay some other way, no fee will be charged. For example, there is no fee if you pay using a Debit Card or EFTPOS card.

You can pay for the hire using a debit card, EFTPOS card or Travel Card and no fees will be charged for using these. However, you need a full credit card as security over the vehicle. if you are unsure about your situation, please feel free to ring EZU and discuss if there are any options for you.

No - EZU does not take any payment until the day of your rental.

Yes - but how much you pay depends on what insurance option you choose. For example, if you take full insurance, all you will be asked for is $1.00 authorisation on your credit card. If you have basic insurance, then you will be asked to pre-authorise $1000 on your credit card.

EZU will check your car and if there is no damage, it will release the pre-authorisation bond while you wait. Some banks may take a few days to release the charge, but EZU will do it immediately.

There are several things that might be charged at pick up:

• Obviously, there will be the cost of the hire itself. This will be price given to you at the time of booking.
• There may be other costs added if you ask for extra equipment not booked at the time of making a booking (for example, baby seats, snow chains, GPS units etc).
• You will have the opportunity to add full insurance to your rental. This will impact on how much a deposit/bond you will have to leave.
• The only other cost is the bond or deposit which will be a pre-authorisation only placed on your credit card.

An excess or a deductible, is the amount you will need to pay in the event of an accident or damage to the vehicle. Most insurance companies include all insurances with the hire, but to get full cover you need to choose this so that you don't have to pay the excess or, as it is sometimes called, the deductible.

The excess is payable when you return the car damaged or do not return the vehicle at all. The only exception is when you have bought excess waiver insurance or full insurance cover.

The amount of excess or the deductible varies depending on which vehicle you are hiring. At EZU the cost is usually at least $5000 but may be as much as $6500. If you have got full excess waiver insurance, then no charge will be made.

Each one has standard or basic insurance that covers damage to the car, fire, theft and third-party cover. However, there is usually an excess or deductible that you will be asked to pay in such an event.

There are three options:

• Basic insurance - this is included in the daily rental price but you will be liable for an excess/deductible of between $5000 - $6500, depending on the vehicle, in the event of damage to the vehicle.
• Limited insurance - this costs $29 per day but brings the excess/deductible down to just $500.
• Full insurance - this costs $39 per day but brings the excess/deducible down to zero. (You will be asked to pre-authorise $1.00 to cover fines etc.)

For peace of mind, it is best to decide on full coverage at the time of booking. It will not be possible to add full insurance after the hire has started; it must be before the hire starts so that any pre-existing damage is verified.

In New Zealand and Australia, standard insurance, included with your rental hire, usually includes fire and theft insurance. However, an excess may be applicable on such a loss unless you have taken full insurance.

EZU has NO administration fees associated with claims. The only charges will relate to the excess that is payable - and that depends on what insurance option you chose at the beginning of the rental.

You can amend or cancel your booking at any time by simply sending EZU an email or phoning us directly.

That is fine to do at EZU. It may change, however, the daily rate because the daily rate generally gets cheaper the longer the hire is for. Any changes to the daily rate will disclosed to you at the time you make the change.

The best way to cancel your booking is to send EZU an email. EZU is also happy to do this over the phone if that is preferred.

It is never a good idea simply to fail to show up. You will be liable for one day's hire for a 'no show'. Please communicate a change of plan as soon as possible. This will avoid extra charges and will allow EZU to release the car for other bookings.

There is NO cancellation fee at EZU. Please email or phone EZU to do this.

There's a great list of additional equipment you can hire at EZU. The standard equipment offered includes GPS units, car seats and booster seats, baby capsules, and snow chains. EZU also have other things like chilly bins or coolers and snow racks- even rice cookers! Please note that such equipment is subject to availability, so please arrange these things in plenty of time.

This is just added to your rental agreement at the time of pick-up.

It is always best to arrange any extra equipment well before your hire starts. That way you can be sure that it is available. However, if you forget something, there is nothing stopping you asking for it at pick up.

The legal requirements relating to the restraint of children changes from country to country. In New Zealand children 7 and under will require some form of restraint. Google this information to get the latest regulations.

When you make a booking with EZU Car Rentals, you will be sent a confirmation email. It clearly sets out any pickup and drop off instructions that apply. If you are confused, please don't hesitate to phone or email us - we will gladly clarify it for you.

The business hours for picking up the vehicle vary from branch to branch. If in Christchurch the hours are 0800 until 1800. For Auckland and Queenstown, it is 0800 until 1800. EZU is happy to facilitate after-hour pick-ups - you just need to communicate your requirements. (There is a fee of $50 for after-hours pick-ups and drop-offs.)

Unfortunately, delays and flight cancellations happen with travel. What is important is that email or phone EZU as soon as you know of a delay. Communication is the key for avoiding problems.

Yes - not a problem. There is a $50 out of business hours fee that will apply, but EZU will take care of you at any time, day or night.

When you pick up your car, it is important to see that what you have been given matches the information you have been told about the car in the rental agreement. Make sure that what you see matches your rental agreement. It is a good idea to take photos of the car so that if there is any dispute at the end of the hire you can prove the condition of the car when you picked it up. If you have any questions, please ask EZU before you leave.

Most companies have a small list of roads that are excluded from the hire. Off-road driving and unsealed roads are excluded at EZU. There are no restrictions on how far from the pickup point you can go. If in doubt, ask what you can and cannot do before your hire starts.

All EZU rentals come with unlimited km and there are no restrictions on how far you can take your rental.

EZU offers 24-hour breakdown service through the AA (Automobile Association). This is included in your daily rental price.

If you have an accident, the first priority is to look after all those involved. If there are injuries, you will need to get an ambulance and ring the police. You are required to notify the Police in any event so that you can file number for insurance purposes. You should not admit fault, but ensure you take down all the details of what has happened. Taking photos is also a good idea. Make sure that you get the name, address, phone number and email address of any other party involved. Write down or take a photo of the car registrations of any other vehicles involved. You will then need to notify EZU as soon as you can and they will give you further advice on what to do.

Yes, EZU is happy to do one-way hires or have different pick-up to drop-off locations between its branches. Be aware that there may be a one way hire fee applied for this.

You can only change the times and places of your rental drop-off with the agreement of EZU. If you think you are going to be late, be up front about this early and most of the time EZU will accommodate your request. There may be an extra charge if the hire is extended beyond two hours without any prior arrangement.

If there are toll roads, you will be expected to pay for these. Most of the time it will involve placing a charge on your credit card left with EZU.

Before you terminate your hire, please take some time to pack up your personal effects and clean out the car. It does not need to be fully groomed but it should be left neat and tidy. Do not forget to fill the vehicle with fuel to at least the level it was when you were given the car.

In most cases you will have been given the car full of petrol or diesel and you will be expected to return it that way. Make sure you fill it with the correct grade of fuel, or you may damage the engine and be in for a big bill. EZU charges $25 fee if you fail to return the car full of fuel.

Most charges are made when you pick up the car. However, there are some other things that can only be settled when you return. For example, you will be liable for any shortfall in fuel compared with when you were given the car. You will be liable for any speeding or parking fines you get as a result of the hire. You must also pay for any toll roads you have used.

Sorry - EZU will not give a refund when you return a car early. The reason for this is that they will have turned down other hires to reserve the car for you.

Please check that all the mandatory fields in the booking process have been filled out correctly. Mandatory fields are marked with an asterisk.
If you are still having trouble, please contact EZU customer support team.

It is possible for rates to change from day to day. Most rental suppliers operate on a dynamic system, just as the airlines do. A special offered yesterday may not be valid today. There can also be a change of season and that will impact on the price you saw earlier.
Another reason why there might be a change in price is if you have adjusted the dates or times even slightly. This can make a big difference as EZU works in 24-hour periods.

It is possible that all the rental vehicles have been booked out or you have booked too late to get a selection. Try modifying your search to see if you can get a result. For example, change the times slightly or select a different size vehicle. Also make sure that the drop off time is not earlier than the pickup time. Please feel free to contact EZU support team to assist you.