What are your operating hours?

Minibuses can be hired and returned to our branch offices between 8.00am and 5.30pm, 7 days per week every day except Christmas Day. Outside of these times we offer an afterhours service for vehicle collections and returns. Please contact us for more information or refer to our Locations pages

Can I hire a Minibus one way to another rental location?

One way Minibus hires are generally available except during periods where we are heavily booked, and a one way hire could impact other customer reservations. At times a minimum rental period and a one way fee may apply. Any additional fees while be included in your quote or reservation.

Can I take my Minibus between the North and South Islands?

If you are travelling between the North & South Island and returning your rental Minibus to your original collection location then you may take your rental vehicle on the ferry. If you are returning your Minibus to a different location then you may also take your rental vehicle on the ferry however a one way fee may apply. Any one way fees will show on your quote or reservation. The cost of the Cook Strait Ferry including the Minibus is not included in you rental.

Can I drop my Minibus off to any other town or city in New Zealand?

As a 100% New Zealand owned rental car company, Orange Minibus Rentals aims to be flexible and offer customers solutions to fit in with their travel plans. While we only have 4 rental car collection locations, we can offer our customers the option of returning their rental vehicle to the following additional locations: Whangarei, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, Queenstown, and Dunedin. Minibus drop offs to these locations is subject to availability and a one way fee may apply. For more information please contact us.

Can I be collected from or dropped off at my Accommodation?

We offer a complimentary collection and drop off service in our shuttle van from any accommodation within 5km of our depot or by arrangement. This service is only available during our operating hours. Please be aware that during peak periods there may be a delay of 10 to 15 minutes before we send our shuttle to you.

Can I collect and return my Minibus after hours?

We offer arrangements for collecting and returning vehicles after hours by prior arrangement and an additional fee may apply. At Orange Minibus Rentals Auckland and Christchurch we utilise 24 hour park and ride services which are located just a few km from our offices and the airport. For more information please refer to our Locations pages or contact us.

What documents and details do I need to reserve or hire a Minibus?

To make a reservation you will need to provide a minimal amount of information including your name, date of birth (for Minibus insurance purposes), telephone number, email, and credit card details. Before hiring a car we will also need your address, and the drivers licence details of all drivers. Your licence must be in English, or alternatively we can accept International Licences, and certified English translations of overseas licences. The easiest way to arrange a quote or to make a reservation is by using our online booking and quote tool. Alternatively you can make a request via email or telephone during office hours.

What is the minimum age to rent a Minibus?

The minimum age to rent a Minibus from Orange Minibus Rentals is 18 years providing that you hold a full valid driving licence. Please be aware that the insurance excess for drivers under 25 years is higher. For more information please contact us or refer to our terms and conditions.

What class of driving license do I require to rent a Minibus?

To rent a Minibus you must hold a full valid driving licence from your own country which covers the vehicle you intend to hire. A full New Zealand licence will allow you to drive most rental vehicles in our fleet up to 12 Seat Minibuses. For overseas drivers we recommend an International Licence which should be obtained before you arrive in New Zealand.

How safe will I be driving on New Zealand Roads?

Driving conditions in some parts of New Zealand can be quite different to anywhere else in the world. Our roads and motorways can be steeper, narrower and with more bends than in other countries which all adds to driving times between towns and cities. At Orange Minibus Rentals we promote safe driving and urge all overseas drivers to take the time to read our Safe Driving Tips for Overseas Drivers before driving. The best advise that we can offer is to slow down and enjoy your time exploring New Zealand and always remember to keep on the left hand side of the road.

How do I pay for my Minibus hire?

When you make a reservation with Orange Minibus Rentals your credit card details are recorded in our secure credit card vault. Unless requested, we will not charge your credit card until the day of your Minibus hire. On the day of you hire full payment must be made before you commence your rental commences. At Orange Minibus Rentals we accept major credit card (Mastercard, Visa, American Express), EFTPOS, cash, and purchase orders from account holders and pre-approved companies, clubs & associations, schools and tertiary institutions. We do not accept personal cheques or any form of travellers cheque.

Do you accept bonds if I don’t have a credit card?

We can accept a cash bond by arrangement however as well as full payment for the Minibus hire, we will also require an amount which covers the full rental vehicle insurance excess. Where a credit card is not provided as security we may also require additional proof of address.

What is included in your Minibus rental pricing?

All prices quoted on our booking and quoting system are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include GST (Goods & Services Tax). For Minibus bookings of 4 days or more we offer unlimited kilometres. All rates regardless of the length of car hire include 24 hour roadside assistance, and standard rental vehicle insurance. For customers requiring collection or drop off from accommodation within 5km of our offices we offer a complimentary shuttle service. For collection and drop off at the airport, and airport fee may apply. Vehicle hires and returns outside office hours will incur a service fee which includes a shuttle bus ride to and from the airport. One way fees may apply to hires where the vehicle is not being returned to its original location. A small credit card surcharge will apply to payments made by credit card.

How are daily rates calculated and at what point are additional days charged?

We work on a 24 hour period where we have a minimum chargeable period of 24 hours. After 24 hours of Minibus hire an additional day is added to the hire period. For example a rental vehicle collected at 8am and returned at 8am the following day would be calculated as a 1 day car hire. A rental vehicle collected at 8am and returned at 4pm the following day would be calculated as a 2 day car hire.

What is your fuel policy?

Vehicles hired from Orange Minibus Rentals will be provided with a full tank of fuel. The cost of fuel during the rental period is the responsibility of the customer and therefore vehicles should be returned full of fuel. For vehicles returned without being refuelled we will charge the cost of the fuel plus a refueling service charge.

Can I pick up a vehicle after hours?

Yes. We do offer a late pick up service by prior arrangement. An additional fee may apply for after hours service. For further detail refer to  each of our locations pages.

Are there additional charges if we have more than one driver?

We have a charge of $1 per day for additional drivers, however this fee will not be charged if the reduced insurance excess option is selected.

Do you have GPS units, child seats and other accessories available for hire?

Orange Minibus Rentals offers a range of accessories including: Luggage Shuttle Trailers, GPS Units, Baby Seats, Booster Seats, Snow Chains, Ski Racks, Camping Kits, Cooler Boxes, Bike Racks, and other items.

Can I return my rental vehicle earlier than planned or extend my hire period?

Vehicles may be returned prior to the return date stated on your rental agreement. If you need to return your vehicle early for any reason we do not provide a refund for any unused days, however we may provide a credit which can be used for a future vehicle hire. If travelling to New Zealand from overseas we recommend purchasing travel insurance which covers the cost of any unexpected event or emergency. Rental periods may be extended subject to vehicle availability. If you need to extend your rental car hire please contact Orange Minibus Rentals.

Do you have vehicles available with towbars?

We have a number of 11-12 Seat minibuses fitted with towbars which are fitted for the sole purpose of towing luggage shuttle trailers.

What is your vehicle maintenance policy and how do you check your rental vehicles?

Vehicle safety and performance is key to Orange Minibus Rentals and we have various systems and processes in place for checking and maintaining our rental vehicle fleet. Every 6 months our vehicles are subject to a COF (Certificate Of Fitness) Inspection. The inspections are carried out by independent accredited vehicle testing centres which work to a government administered set of standards which cover many aspects of vehicle safety systems. Following a successful inspection, the rental vehicle is issued with a 6 month certificate. Any vehicles which do not pass the inspection process must be repaired and re-inspected before operating as a rental car. At Orange Minibus Rentals we also carry out our own inspection every 7,500 – 15,000km. During this process we service the vehicle and pay close attention to key safety components such as tyres and brakes. Our policy is to replace any brake pads with greater than 50% wear even though these brakes have quite a few thousand kms of useful life. We also closely check shock absorbers, and the engine, transmission, and cooling system for any sign of wear or damage. Our final vehicle checking process occurs when each rental car is cleaned between hire periods. At this stage we make a final check of the tyres, windscreen, wipers, lights, oil, coolant, and any panel damage. Any issues are noted and referred back to our Managers and Mechanics.

What if my rental vehicle breaks down?

Fortunately the majority of vehicle issues are minor and include failed batteries (normally due to a light or switch being left on), punctured tyres, lost keys, or some other driver error and can be dealt with quickly. Very occasionally a vehicle may experience a more serious issue which requires a mechanical call out. As part of our service your rental vehicle is covered by a 24 hour breakdown and roadside service. Should you experience a mechanical issue with your rental vehicle we will take the following steps to try to get you moving again as soon as possible:

The first step is to contact our roadside service provider as soon as soon as possible and notify them of the issue and the location of your rental car. A Technician will be sent to diagnose the problem and make a repair if possible. If the problem with your rental car cannot be rectified immediately then it may be towed to the nearest service centre.
If the fault with the vehicle is minor, or if the vehicle can be repaired quickly then you will need to wait while repairs are carried out. We appreciate that this may cause a delay in travel plans however this is always a risk when driving any vehicle.

For any vehicle that requires major repairs or for delays of more than 24 hours in sourcing parts for your rental vehicle, our goal would be to source a replacement vehicle from our nearest Orange Minibus Rentals branch.

Should a breakdown occur is a remote location and a replacement vehicle is not available within a viable distance, it may be necessary for us to transport you via public transport to the nearest location where a vehicle can be provided.

If for any reason we are unable to source a replacement rental vehicle the only option may be for your rental agreement to be cancelled with the remaining hire period refunded. We would only offer this option once all other alternatives have been explored.

Please be aware that any roadside assistance callouts which are not the result of a fault with the vehicle will be at the hirer’s expense. Orange Minibus Rentals or any of our staff or owners are not liable for any loss incurred by the hirer due to a vehicle breakdown. We highly recommend that all overseas visitors purchase travel insurance which provides cover in the event of accidents or other unexpected delays or disruptions.

What do I do if I have an accident?

If you are involved in an accident or witness an accident where emergency assistance is required you should immediately phone 111.

With all other accidents please contact Orange Minibus Rentals and provide us with full details. One of our staff will be able to help you and guide you with what can be done. It is important that you gather as much information as possible including the details of any other vehicle or driver involved. Taking photos is always useful.

How much is your standard Insurance Excess / Deductible?

For drivers aged 25 years plus the standard insurance excess is $2,000 plus GST.

Please refer to our terms and conditions or contact us for more information

Can I reduce my insurance excess liability?

Yes. Orange Minibus Rentals offers various options for reducing your liability. The cost to reduce your liability depends on your age and the length of your car rental. A quote can be obtained via our online booking and quote tool or you can contact us.

What is your Cancellation Policy?

If you need to cancel your minibus reservation for any reason please contact us as soon as possible. We may be able to change your reservation to another date or location or help you rearrange your travel plans. If a reservation is cancelled with sufficient notice there may be a cancellation fee of up to 10% of the value of the hire. Last minute cancellations and ‘no shows’ will incur a higher fee as per our terms and conditions.

Do you offer long term rentals and vehicle leasing?

We offer both options at competitive rates. For a quote and information please contact Orange Minibus Rentals.

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