Renting a car in Perth is genuinely straightforward — and Burswood Car Rentals keeps it that way on purpose. The list of things you need to bring is short. But knowing exactly what’s required before you show up means there are no awkward moments at the counter and no delays before you’re on your way.
This guide covers every document scenario — Australian licence holders, international visitors, debit card users, and everything in between. For answers to specific questions, see the Burswood Car Rentals FAQs.
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The Short Answer: Two Things
For the vast majority of people hiring a car from Burswood, you need exactly two things:
- Your current driver’s licence — Australian or valid foreign licence
- A credit or debit card in your name — for the bond and any charges
That’s it. No utility bills, no secondary ID, no passport (for Australian licence holders). Just a valid licence and a card. Everything else is optional depending on your specific situation.
| 💡 Quick check: Before you arrive at pickup, confirm your licence isn’t expired and your card has sufficient available funds for the bond — $400 for standard vehicles, $500 for luxury, plus an additional $200 if paying by debit card. The bond is charged the day before collection. |
Document Requirements by Driver Type
Australian Licence Holders
If you hold a current Australian driver’s licence — from any state or territory — you’re good to go. Your Australian licence is valid across all of Western Australia and is accepted without any supplementary documentation.
- Licence must be current — check the expiry date before you travel
- Any Australian state or territory licence is accepted — no need for a WA licence
- Learner or provisional licences — minimum age requirement is 19 years, and Burswood will advise on licence class requirements when you book
| 📌 Minimum age: You must be at least 19 years old to hire a car from Burswood Car Rentals. |
International Visitors — Overseas Licence
If you hold a licence issued in a country that uses English and the Roman alphabet, your overseas licence is generally valid to drive in Western Australia without any additional documentation.
Licences issued in countries where the licence is not in English, or does not use the Roman alphabet, require an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to the original overseas licence. An IDP is a translation document issued by a motoring authority in your home country — it must be accompanied by your original licence at all times.
| Licence Country/Type | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Australia (any state/territory) | Current Australian licence only |
| New Zealand | Current NZ licence only |
| UK, USA, Canada, Ireland | Current overseas licence (English, Roman alphabet) |
| Non-English or non-Roman alphabet | Current overseas licence + International Driving Permit (IDP) |
| Expired licence (any country) | Not accepted — licence must be current |
Note: WA road rules apply to all drivers regardless of where their licence was issued. International drivers are responsible for understanding and complying with Australian traffic laws.
| 💡 IDP tip: International Driving Permits are issued in your home country before you travel — they cannot be obtained in Australia. If you need one, arrange it through your country’s motoring authority before departure. |
Payment: Credit Card vs Debit Card
A credit card is the standard payment method for car hire. It’s used to hold the bond, cover the daily rate, and manage any charges during the hire period.
Burswood does accept debit cards — but an additional $200 bond applies on top of the standard bond amount. So for a standard vehicle on a debit card, the total bond is $600 ($400 standard + $200 debit card surcharge).
- Credit card: $400 bond (standard) / $500 bond (luxury)
- Debit card: $400 + $200 = $600 bond (standard) / $500 + $200 = $700 bond (luxury)
- Prepaid credit cards, Zippay, Afterpay, and Klarna: not accepted
- The card must be in the hirer’s name
- The bond is charged the day before collection
| 📌 Bond release: The bond is held as a pre-authorisation on your card and released at the end of the hire period, minus any applicable charges. Bond release timing depends on your bank. |
Additional Drivers
Additional drivers can be added to the hire agreement at no extra charge. Each additional driver must present their own current driver’s licence at collection — or have it verified beforehand if they won’t be present.
Child Car Seats — Extra Documentation? No — Just Book in Advance
If you need a child car seat, no additional documentation is required — but book it in advance. Seats are $5 per day and are fitted in the vehicle before pickup. Burswood also offers lightweight baby strollers on request.
What to Check Before You Arrive
| Check | Details |
|---|---|
| Licence is current | Check expiry date — licences must be valid on the day of collection |
| Licence is physical | Most rental companies including Burswood require the physical licence card |
| Card has sufficient funds | Bond (up to $600 debit) + daily rate must be available at time of charge |
| Card is in your name | The card used for the bond must match the hirer’s name |
| IDP (international only) | If your licence is non-English or non-Roman alphabet, bring your IDP |
| Minimum age | Must be at least 19 years old at time of collection |
| Child seat booked (if needed) | Book in advance — $5/day, fitted before you arrive |
What You Don’t Need
For the sake of clarity, here’s what you don’t need to bring to pick up a Burswood hire car:
- A utility bill or proof of address
- A passport (for Australian licence holders)
- Your own insurance documents — every Burswood vehicle is comprehensively insured
- A printed booking confirmation — though having it handy on your phone is always helpful
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else pick up a car booked in my name?
Yes — the person collecting the car just needs to present a current driver’s licence in their name. There’s no requirement for the person who booked to be the one who collects. See the Burswood FAQs for full details.
Do I need to bring my passport if I have an Australian licence?
No. Your current Australian driver’s licence is all the identity documentation you need. Passport is not required for Australian licence holders.
What happens if my credit card is declined for the bond?
Contact Burswood as soon as possible before your collection date. The bond is charged the day before collection — if you’re using a debit card, ensure the additional $200 is accounted for in your available balance.
Can I use a digital licence on my phone?
This may vary — call Burswood directly to confirm their current position on digital licences before your pickup day. Having the physical card available as a backup is always the safest approach.