Vehicle Rental Terms & Conditions

1.1 Application. These Terms apply to vehicles hired from Honk Hire Co, including cars and scooters. They form part of the Rental Agreement, vehicle schedule, condition report and any written variations or approvals issued by Honk Hire Co.

1.2 Acceptance. A Hirer accepts these Terms by signing the Rental Agreement, paying a booking or rental amount, or taking possession of the Vehicle.

1.3 Vehicle-specific terms. Where a requirement applies only to cars or only to scooters, that requirement will be identified in these Terms or the Rental Schedule. The Rental Schedule records the Vehicle, rate, included kilometres, security deposit, approved use, authorised drivers and other commercial terms.

2.1 Scooter age. A scooter Hirer must be at least 18 years old and hold the licence required for the relevant scooter under Queensland law.

2.2 Car age and licence.The minimum age and licence requirements for car hire are subject to Honk Hire Co's insurer requirements. The working minimum age is 20 years but must be confirmed before the car rental product is issued.

2.3 International drivers.An international Hirer must provide a current passport and current driver licence acceptable for driving the relevant Vehicle in Queensland. Honk Hire Co may also require the Hirer's home-country residential address, Australian mobile number, email address and emergency contact.

2.4 Australian accommodation evidence. An international Hirer must provide evidence reasonably satisfactory to Honk Hire Co of current or intended Australian accommodation. This may include a hotel, hostel or Airbnb booking confirmation or receipt, tenancy agreement, employer-provided accommodation confirmation, or other evidence accepted by Honk Hire Co.

2.5 Verification. Honk Hire Co may decline or delay a rental until identification, licence, accommodation and other requested verification is completed.

3.1 Authorised drivers only. Only the Hirer and any additional driver approved in writing by Honk Hire Co may drive or ride the Vehicle.

3.2 Cars — additional drivers.Each approved additional driver of a car is charged $25 per week unless otherwise stated in the Rental Schedule. Each additional driver must satisfy Honk Hire Co's identification, licence, age and insurance requirements.

3.3 Unauthorised drivers. Allowing an unauthorised person to drive or ride the Vehicle is a serious breach and may affect insurance or damage liability protections.

4.1 Minimum hire — scooters. The minimum scooter hire period is two (2) weeks.

4.2 Minimum hire — cars. The minimum car hire period is two (2) weeks.

4.3 Payment timing.One week's rental is payable before delivery or collection. Thereafter rental is payable weekly in advance. Car rental payments will continue to be processed through Stripe or another payment method approved by Honk Hire Co. The Hirer remains responsible for the applicable minimum rental commitment even if the Vehicle is returned early, except where required by law or otherwise agreed in writing.

4.4 Security deposit — scooters. A refundable security deposit of $300 is required for scooters.

4.5 Security deposit — cars. A refundable security deposit of $500 is required for cars.

4.6 Security is not a liability cap.The security deposit is held as security for the Hirer's obligations. It is not a cap or limitation on liability. Honk Hire Co may apply all or part of the security deposit to amounts properly payable under the Rental Agreement, and the Hirer remains liable for any balance.

4.7 Failed payment. If a rental payment is overdue, Honk Hire Co may issue written notice. If payment remains unpaid for 24 hours after notice, Honk Hire Co may terminate the rental and take lawful steps to locate and recover the Vehicle. The security deposit may be applied to outstanding amounts and recovery costs, subject to applicable law.

4.8 Debt collection and overdue amounts. The Hirer is responsible for reasonable debt collection, legal, recovery and enforcement costs actually incurred by Honk Hire Co in recovering overdue amounts, to the extent legally recoverable. Interest may accrue on overdue amounts at 10% per annum, calculated daily, to the extent permitted by law.

5.1 Cars.Car delivery and/or collection is subject to availability. The standard charge is $100 within 20 km of Honk Hire Co's nominated service location. Locations beyond 20 km are quoted individually.

5.2 Condition at handover. The Vehicle must be inspected at handover. Pre-existing damage should be recorded in the condition report and/or photographs. The Hirer must promptly notify Honk Hire Co of any discrepancy.

6.1 Scooters. Scooters include 500 kilometres per seven-day rental period unless the Rental Schedule states otherwise. Excess kilometres are charged at $0.23 per kilometre.

6.2 Cars. Cars include 1,000 kilometres per seven-day rental period unless the Rental Schedule states otherwise. Excess kilometres are charged at $0.30 per kilometre.

6.3 Reporting. Honk Hire Co may require periodic odometer photographs or telematics readings. Failure to provide requested odometer information may constitute a breach.

7.1 Normal use. The Vehicle may be used for lawful private transport and any other use specifically approved by Honk Hire Co.

7.2 Delivery work.Cars may be approved for food, parcel or other delivery work, including services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash or similar platforms. The Hirer must disclose intended delivery use before it begins and obtain Honk Hire Co's approval. Specific rates, insurance conditions, excesses, kilometre allowances or other restrictions may apply.

7.3 Passenger rideshare. Passenger rideshare or passenger-for-reward use, including Uber passenger services, is not permitted unless Honk Hire Co later gives specific written approval.

7.4 Towing. The Vehicle must not tow a trailer, caravan or other object unless Honk Hire Co has approved the towing use in writing beforehand.

7.5 Off-road and beach use. Vehicles must not be driven or ridden off-road, on beaches, in water crossings, on unformed tracks or in other unsuitable terrain. Noosa North Shore, Teewah or similar beach driving is prohibited unless specifically authorised in writing.

7.6 Other prohibited conduct.The Hirer must not use the Vehicle while affected by alcohol or drugs; for racing, speed trials or unlawful purposes; overload the Vehicle; intentionally or recklessly damage it; tamper with tracking equipment; permit an unauthorised driver; or use it contrary to manufacturer's limits or road laws.

8.1 Fuel.Vehicles are supplied on a full-to-full basis unless the Rental Schedule states otherwise. The Hirer must use the correct fuel and return the Vehicle with a full tank. Incorrect fuel and associated recovery or repair costs are the Hirer's responsibility where caused by the Hirer.

8.2 Routine servicing and inspections. Honk Hire Co is responsible for scheduled maintenance and routine servicing. When notified that servicing, inspection, tyre replacement, recall work, registration-related inspection or other safety or preventative maintenance is required, the Hirer must present the Vehicle at the nominated location within the reasonable timeframe specified by Honk Hire Co. Failure to make the Vehicle available may constitute a breach, and the Hirer may be responsible for resulting damage or loss to the extent legally recoverable.

8.3 Warning lights and mechanical faults.The Hirer must promptly notify Honk Hire Co of any warning light, overheating, oil-pressure warning, coolant loss, unusual noise or vibration, transmission issue, fluid leak or other apparent mechanical fault. The Hirer must stop driving where continued operation could reasonably cause further damage or create a safety risk and must follow Honk Hire Co's reasonable instructions. The Hirer may be responsible for additional damage caused by continuing to operate the Vehicle after becoming aware, or reasonably being expected to become aware, of a fault.

8.4 Unauthorised repairs.The Hirer must not modify, dismantle or arrange repairs to the Vehicle without Honk Hire Co's prior approval, except emergency action reasonably required to protect people or property.

8.5 Tyres.Honk Hire Co is responsible for ordinary tyre wear. Punctures, sidewall damage, kerb damage, misuse or other tyre damage arising during the rental may be charged to the Hirer where attributable to the Hirer's use.

9.1 Responsibility. The Hirer is responsible for the Vehicle from handover until it is returned to and accepted by Honk Hire Co, subject to applicable law, insurance and these Terms.

9.2 Car standard damage liability. For cars, the working standard damage liability is $1,000 per incident. This amount is separate from the $500 security deposit. The final operation of this liability, including exclusions and any additional excesses, is subject to insurer confirmation.

9.3 Damage event. Any new damage arising during the rental must be reported promptly. The applicable damage liability is assessed per incident, not by reference to the amount of the security deposit.

9.4 Full liability circumstances. Where insurance or contractual damage protection does not apply because of a serious breach, prohibited use, unauthorised driver, intoxication, deliberate or reckless conduct, failure to disclose an approved-use requirement, or another insurer exclusion, the Hirer may be liable for the full loss, subject to applicable law and the insurance policy.

9.5 Windscreen and glass. New windscreen or glass damage arising during the hire is treated as damage. For cars, the $1,000 standard damage liability applies to a damage incident unless the insurer or Rental Schedule specifies a different glass arrangement.

9.6 Downtime / loss of use. Where a car or scooter is unavailable for rental because of damage attributable to the Hirer, Honk Hire Co may claim reasonable loss of use or lost rental income to the extent legally recoverable, together with other properly recoverable loss.

10.1 Immediate obligations. Following an accident, collision, theft or material damage, the Hirer must ensure safety, contact emergency services or police where required, obtain relevant third-party and witness details, take photographs where safe, and notify Honk Hire Co as soon as practicable.

10.2 No admissions. The Hirer must not admit liability or settle a third-party claim on behalf of Honk Hire Co.

10.3 Theft. Theft must be reported to police promptly and the police report or event number provided to Honk Hire Co. Keys and other security devices must be accounted for.

11.1 Mechanical failure. Where a Vehicle suffers a mechanical failure not caused by the Hirer, Honk Hire Co will arrange reasonable assistance, repair or a replacement Vehicle subject to availability.

11.2 No replacement available. If a replacement Vehicle is not available, rental charges for the period the Vehicle cannot reasonably be used because of the mechanical failure will be paused or refunded on a pro-rata basis.

11.3 Hirer-caused call-outs.The Hirer is responsible for call-out, recovery and related costs where assistance is required because of the Hirer's act or omission, including lost keys, incorrect fuel, avoidable flat battery, misuse, unauthorised use or similar renter-caused issues.

12.1 General cleaning. A $120 cleaning charge may apply where the Vehicle requires cleaning beyond ordinary rental use.

12.2 Smoking and vaping. Smoking or vaping in any Honk Hire Co Vehicle is prohibited. A $500 smoking/vaping remediation charge may apply where there is evidence of smoking or vaping and remediation is reasonably required.

12.3 Pets. Pets must not be carried where this causes unreasonable soiling, odour, hair or damage. Evidence of pets that requires additional cleaning may result in the applicable cleaning charge and any reasonable additional remediation or repair costs.

12.4 Lost or damaged keys. The Hirer is responsible for the reasonable actual cost of replacing any lost or damaged Vehicle key, including programming, locksmith, replacement remote/fob, recovery or related costs where applicable and legally recoverable.

13.1 Fines and infringements. The Hirer is responsible for traffic, parking and other infringements arising from use of the Vehicle during the rental. Where Honk Hire Co must nominate the Hirer, transfer liability, process correspondence or otherwise administer an infringement, a $10 administration fee may be charged for each infringement, subject to applicable law.

13.2 Tolls. The Hirer is responsible for tolls incurred during the rental. Where Honk Hire Co must process or recover a toll charge, a $10 administration fee may be charged for each toll processing event in addition to the toll, subject to applicable law.

14.1 Tracking. Vehicles may be fitted with GPS or telematics devices for fleet management, security, servicing, location, theft prevention and lawful vehicle recovery.

14.2 GPS / telematics tampering. The Hirer must not disable, disconnect, remove, damage, interfere with, shield, obscure or otherwise attempt to prevent the operation or transmission of any GPS or telematics device. Intentional tampering is a serious breach of the Rental Agreement and may result in termination and lawful vehicle recovery. The Hirer may be responsible for reasonable inspection, repair, replacement and recovery costs arising from the tampering, to the extent legally recoverable.

14.3 Recovery.Where the rental has been validly terminated, the Vehicle is overdue, payments remain unpaid after required notice, the Vehicle is being unlawfully retained, tracking has been tampered with, or another serious breach has occurred, Honk Hire Co may take lawful steps to locate and recover the Vehicle. Reasonable recovery costs caused by the Hirer's breach may be charged to the Hirer where legally recoverable.

15.1 Extensions.Extensions are subject to availability and must be approved by Honk Hire Co. Continued possession does not waive the Hirer's payment obligations.

15.2 Return condition. The Vehicle must be returned at the agreed place and time, with the required fuel level, keys and supplied equipment, and in a condition consistent with fair wear and tear.

15.3 Early return during minimum term. Early return does not automatically create a refund and does not remove the two-week minimum hire commitment, except where required by law or agreed in writing.

15.4 Termination after minimum term.After the two-week minimum rental period has been completed, the rental continues on a weekly basis until terminated. Either party may terminate the rental by giving at least fourteen (14) days' written notice, unless termination occurs earlier because of a serious breach, non-payment or another right permitted by law. Rental charges continue during the notice period whether or not the Hirer elects to return the Vehicle early, except where otherwise required by law or agreed in writing.

16.1 Insurance-dependent terms.Car insurance requirements, driver age and licence exclusions, international-driver conditions, delivery-use conditions, additional excesses and circumstances affecting cover are to be confirmed with Honk Hire Co's insurer.

16.2 Disclosure. The Hirer must truthfully disclose intended use of the Vehicle. In particular, commercial delivery work must be declared before use. Failure to disclose a material use may affect insurance and may expose the Hirer to greater liability.

16.3 No representation beyond policy. Nothing in these Terms is intended to provide insurance cover beyond the cover actually available under the applicable policy or to exclude rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

17.1 Collection. Honk Hire Co may collect identity, licence, passport, contact, accommodation, emergency contact, rental, payment, odometer and vehicle-location information reasonably required to administer the rental, protect the Vehicle and comply with legal obligations.

17.2 Use and disclosure. Information may be used for booking administration, payments, servicing, customer communication, fraud prevention, vehicle recovery, insurance and legal purposes, and may be disclosed where reasonably necessary to service providers, insurers, authorities or recovery providers, subject to applicable privacy law.

18.1 Australian Consumer Law. Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any guarantee, right or remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable legislation.

18.2 Governing law. These Terms are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia.

18.3 Severability. If any provision is invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to operate to the extent permitted by law.

18.4 Variations. Vehicle-specific pricing, approved use and other commercial details may be recorded in the Rental Schedule. Material changes to an existing rental should be agreed in writing.