Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

  1. [+] What is DriveMyCar Rentals?
    DriveMyCar Rentals (DMCR) is a web-based service that promotes and facilitates private car rentals, also known as peer-to-peer (“P2P”) car sharing. The DMCR platform connects Drivers with Car Owners willing to rent out their car. By renting privately, Car Owners can offset some or all of the fixed costs of car ownership. The benefits of the service extend to Drivers as well, giving them access to the largest range of private use vehicles in Australia, with savings of up to 80%, compared to traditional car rental prices. By offering over 40 car makes across short and long-term rental periods, DMCR fills a gap in the market not currently serviced by the car rental or automotive leasing sector.

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  2. [+] How does it work?
    Drivers can register online for FREE! They then can search and book cars nationwide. By simply entering the location and the required dates the website will show all cars that match the request. Once the Driver has found the car of his choice he will receive a quote and can then make a booking request. Bookings are confirmed within 24 to 48 hours. If the Driver has trouble finding the right car call he can call Customer Service on 1300 993 982.

    Each listing includes up to five images, a basic description of the car, car location, availability, rental rate, minimum Driver age and booking period. When a booking request is made the Owner receives notification via SMS and email. The Owner can view the Driver's profile, which contains his name, contact details and reviews. The Owner then either accepts or declines the booking request. Once approved, the Owner and Driver receive the DMCR Agreement For Use of Motor Vehicle Terms and Conditions. Both the Owner and the Driver should make sure to read the Terms and Conditions.

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  3. [+] Do I have to be registered to book a car?
    Yes, all users must be registered to make a booking request and rent a car.

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  4. [+] What are the fees and charges to use the site?
    It is completely FREE to register and search the site for cars. Upon acceptance of the booking request by the Owner, the Driver pays a one-off upfront fee of 19.8% (including GST) to DMCR via credit card. Dependent on the Driver’s history DMCR charges Insurance, Roadside Assistance and Insurance Excess Reduction (if selected) in advance or in arrears. The balance of the rental, the Owner’s rate, is paid directly to the Car Owner.

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  5. [+] What's included in the fees and charges?
    Car Owners and Drivers can both access Australia's largest private car rental market. DMCR makes private car rental easy & safe, we provide national marketing, Australian standard rental documentation, Insurance, Roadside Assistance and Customer Support.

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  6. [+] What happens if I cancel a booking?
    If you are the Driver:

    The Driver may cancel a booking at any time prior to its commencement, which is 24 hours prior to the nominated or agreed Vehicle drop off time. However, the Driver will forfeit to DMCR the booking deposit.

    The Driver may cancel a booking at any time after its commencement subject to a cancellation penalty of 30% of the outstanding rental amount.

    If the Owner is the cancelling party the Driver will be entitled to keep the Vehicle until such time DMCR has found a suitable replacement Vehicle.

    If you are the Car Owner:

    The Owner may cancel a booking at any time prior to its commencement, which is 24 hours prior to the nominated or agreed Vehicle drop off time, subject to a cancellation penalty of $125 (plus GST).

    The Driver may cancel a booking at any time after the commencement of a booking subject to a cancellation penalty of 30% of the outstanding Owner’s fee.

    If the Owner is the cancelling party DMCR will charge a cancellation penalty of $600 (plus GST) to find a suitable replacement Vehicle. The Driver will be entitled to keep the Vehicle until such time DMCR has found a replacement Vehicle.

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  7. [+] Does DMCR provide a rental agreement?
    Yes, the DMCR website automatically generates a rental agreement (Agreement for Use of Motor Vehicle) which is sent to the Car Owner and the Driver on confirmation of the rental. As this is a legally binding Agreement both the Car Owner and Driver must read and sign it prior to the vehicle handover.

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  8. [+] Who does the car inspection report?
    The Car Inspection is performed by both the Car Owner and Driver at the time of the car handover. All defects and scratches are marked and the odometer reading recorded on the Car Inspection form which is an integral part of the Agreement for Use of Motor Vehicle. Both parties must sign the Inspection report. The same applies when the Car is returned.

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  9. [+] Does DMCR provide Comprehensive Car Insurance?
    Yes, DMCR has developed a unique motor fleet insurance policy underwritten by an APRA-approved insurer in Australia. The cover provides full Comprehensive Insurance for the Car when it is rented out via the DMCR website. A copy of the Comprehensive Insurance policy to all members on registration and policy wording can be found on the website. The Comprehensive Insurance does not include third-party personal injury which is covered by the Car Owner’s Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) insurance. For more details please refer to question 14. What about Compulsory Third-Party insurance.

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  10. [+] Who pays for comprehensive Car insurance?
    Comprehensive Car insurance is provided to all Car Owners when their Car is rented out. All insurance costs are recouped from the Driver during the rental period. Insurance is charged at a daily rate of $10 including GST. Owners can also purchase the DMCR comprehensive insurance as a replacement of their existing comprehensive Car insurance. Please contact DMCR for a full 12-month quote.

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  11. [+] What happens if the car gets damaged or is involved in an accident?
    In the event of minor damage, the Driver must contact the Car Owner immediately. If the damage is deemed to be non-fair wear and tear, the Driver must pay for the damage repair up to the Insurance Excess amount shown in the DMCR Agreement for Use. In the event of an accident, the Driver must comply with the relevant state laws, such as checking whether anyone has been injured, exchange information with any involved party, and report the accident to the police and the Car Owner. The Car Owner is to then lodge an accident claim via their DMCR online account.

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  12. [+] Who pays for the insurance excess?
    In the event of an Insurance claim for vehicle damage, the Driver must pay up to the InsuranceEexcess amount shown in the Agreement For Use of Motor Vehicle. If the driver chooses to pay the Excess Reduction, the excess payable will be reduced by 50%. Please note that no repair works will commence until the excess has been paid to DMCR.

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  13. [+] Who pays for car servicing and car registration?
    Normally, Car servicing and registration are paid for by the Car Owner, however, for longer term rentals Car servicing & Car registration costs can be negotiated between the Car Owner and Driver.

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  14. [+] What about Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) Insurance?
    All Car Owners must ensure that they have a valid and appropriate Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) insurance for their Car whilst it is being rented out to a Driver. In particular, if the CTP insurance policy cover is listed as “private” cover, the Driver may not be covered for third-party personal injury. In order to ensure cover a “commercial” or “hire car” CTP insurance may be required. As the CTP legislation varies in each state we invite you to check with your local authority.

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  15. [+] What is Pre-Authorisation?
    A pre-authorisation is used to confirm your booking request. It does NOT charge any funds to your credit card, it just checks that you have sufficient funds on your credit card for the rental. If you do not go ahead a book a vehicle, the pre-authorisation expires, usually within 1- 5 business days.

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Drivers

  1. [+] How do I join as a Driver?
    Drivers join for FREE! Just click on the "Join Now" button and enter your details.

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  2. [+] How does the Driver receive the car?
    Once a rental booking has been confirmed both the Driver & Car Owner agree to a time and location to meet and handover the car. The Car Owners must complete the DMCR owner checklist which includes an inspection of the Car and confirmation of the Drivers information. Once complete the Car Owner gives the Driver the keys and the rental period commences.

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  3. [+] Who can drive the car when rented?
    Only the nominated Driver on the rental agreement is allowed to drive the car during the rental period. Unless otherwise the additional Driver name & Drivers license details are added to the special conditions section & signed by the Owner.

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  4. [+] Are the cars in good working condition?
    All cars must be road worthy with current registration for the term of the rental period. Car Owners sign a declaration in the rental agreement that the car is in good working condition. If this is not the case, the Owner will be charged for the cost of roadside assistance.

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  5. [+] Is there a free km limit?
    Yes. The minimum free km limit is 100km's per day, with a $0.50 charge per excess km. Drivers can negotiate the excess KM allowance with the Owners, but MUST do so prior to commencement of the rental period.

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  6. [+] Are there any Car usage restrictions?
    Yes. All Car usage restrictions are outlined in the rental agreement, however, please check with the Car Owner if there are any additional Car Restrictions.

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  7. [+] Does the Driver have to clean and refuel the car on return?
    The Driver must return the car in a clean condition and with the same amount of fuel that the car came with. If the car is returned in an unsatisfactory condition, the Car Owner can make a cost claim via their online account to have the car cleaned and or refuelled with the cost being charged to the Drivers credit card plus an administration of $25 (+ GST).

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  8. [+] If I have a problem during my rental, can I call someone for help?
    DMCR provides full customer support to both Car Owner and Drivers. If you have any questions or require assistance during your car rental please call 1300 993 982.

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  9. [+] Do Cars have Roadside Assistance?
    Yes. Roadside Assistance is available nationwide and can be accessed 24 hours by calling the number listed in your rental agreement. If the car requires roadside assistance due to technical, mechanical or circumstantial failure not attributed to the Driver, the car owner will be liable for the payment of all roadside assistance costs or charges including call out costs, towing fees and any replacement parts.

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  10. [+] When will recurring fees be charged to the Driver's credit card?
    Insurance,Roadside Assistance and Insurance Excess Reduction Waiver will be charged to the Driver's credit card on a weekly basis.

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  11. [+] How can I improve the chance of getting the car I want?
    Create a Wish-List (Improve your results!)
    By using a Wish-List when booking, Drivers can drastically improve their chance of getting the car they want and get their booking confirmation faster! Just tick the box next to the cars you like and then add them to your Wish-List. View your Wish-List and click the Book Now button to send out a booking request on all Car in the Wish-List directly to the Car Owner via email and SMS. The first Car Owner to accept your request wins your booking and all other requests get cancelled immediately. The more cars you add to your Wish-List the better!!!

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  12. [+] Am I secured against third party personal injury?
    Personal party personal injury is covered by Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) Insurance. CTP legislation varies in each state and some states require “commercial” or even “hire car” CTP insurance whilst the car is being used by you as the Driver to cover third-party personal injury. Please check with your local authority whether the Car is appropriately insured.

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Owners

  1. [+] How do I List my Car?
    Listing your car is easy and only takes 5 minutes. Click on "Join Now" and fill out the form. If you are already registered, simply login with your user name and password and go to Car Listings in the My Account's Car Listing section. Click on Add Car and complete the car details form. You can always update your contact details, car listing details and change your vehicle availability status at anytime.

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  2. [+] Can I list multiple cars?
    Yes, once registered you can list as many cars as you wish. Just simply login with your user name and password and go to the Car Listing section in the my account.

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  3. [+] How do I manage my listings and/or rental bookings?
    Both Car Owners and Drivers can manage their car listings or rental bookings from their online account. They can view the status of booking requests; get access to Car Owner or Driver information, view/download forms and email customer support.

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  4. [+] Can I search & contact registered Drivers?
    Anyone can search Driver profiles; however Car Owners with a registered car listing can send Drivers a link to their car by email.

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  5. [+] How do I make a cost/damage claim?
    Car Owners can make a car rental cost or damage claim in the My Account section.

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  6. [+] What about speeding tickets, parking fines and toll charges?
    In the event that the Car Owner receives a speeding ticket, parking fine or toll charges incurred during a current or previous rental period, the Car Owner can make a cost claim via the Cost Claim Centre in the My Account Section. DMCR will attempt to charge these costs to the Drivers credit card plus an administration fee of $25 (+ GST).

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  7. [+] What happens if my car is returned late?
    Drivers must contact the Car Owner to inform them of any delay in the return of the Owners vehicle. Owners are entitled to charge Drivers the advertised daily rate for any vehicle returned more than 2 hours after the agreed return time. If the car is not returned and the Car Owner is not able to contact you, the car may be reported stolen. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ARE CONTACTABLE.

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  8. [+] What happens if the Driver doesn't pay?
    If the Driver does not pay, the Car Owner can make a cost claim via their online account. If the Driver is behind on their rental payment or any other fees and charges, the Car Owner must make a formal cost claim to DMCR and they will attempt to charge the Drivers credit card for all outstanding fees plus an administration fee of $25 (+ GST). If the Credit Card payment is declined, DMCR will pass on all default payments to Dunn & Bradstreet for collection. This may affect the Drivers credit rating.

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  9. [+] What happens if the Car is stolen?
    All cars rented out on the DMCR website have full insurance cover. If the Car is deemed stolen please notify us immediately and we will provide all the available Driver information to the Police. In the event that the car is not returned an insurance claim can be lodged via the My Account section on the website.

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  10. [+] What happens if the Driver breaks the Terms & Conditions of the rental agreement?
    On verification that the Driver has broken the terms of the rental agreement, on request DMCR can arrange for your Car to be picked up and returned to you. Fees and charges apply, however, in some circumstances can be passed on to the Driver.

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  11. [+] If I go away, can I give my car to DMCR to rent out?
    Yes - DMCR offers a premium service called Manage My Car (MMC). MMC is an easy and convenient service for people who are going away or just don't wish to manage the whole rental process themselves. DMCR has a national sales team dedicated to finding a Driver for your car and having your car booked out on a regular basis.

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  12. [+] What about Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) insurance?
    All Car Owners must ensure that they have a valid and appropriate Compulsory Third-Party (CTP) Insurance for their Vehicle whilst it is being used by a Driver. In particular, if the CTP Insurance policy cover is listed as “private” cover, the Driver may not be covered for third-party personal injury. In order to ensure cover a “commercial” or “hire car” insurance may be required. As the CTP legislation varies in each state we invite you to check with your local authority.

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