Travelling with a dog in a rental car

Can I take my dog in a rental car?

It depends on the company, and the answer is usually in the rental terms rather than on the booking page, so read them before you plan a trip with a pet. Look for three things: whether animals are allowed, whether you need permission first, and what happens if the car needs extra cleaning or repair afterwards.

At the time of writing, Rentzy's terms list carrying animals other than assistance animals without our consent among the things you must not do with the car (clause 7.2). So a pet isn't automatically ruled out, but you need our yes first. Carrying an animal without consent is a breach of clause 7.2, and a breach of that clause is one of the cases where your liability for loss is no longer limited to the excess (clause 9.3).

How do I ask for consent?

Ask before you book, not at the counter. A short email gets a clear answer and leaves a record.

1. Tell us about the animal: the type, size and how many, and whether it will travel in a crate or on a harness.
2. Tell us about the trip: how long you'll have the car and roughly where you're going.
3. Get the answer in writing. If we agree, keep the email and bring it to pickup, so the person at the counter and anyone reviewing the car at return can see it.
4. Ask whether there are conditions, such as a crate or a seat cover, and follow them for the whole rental.

You can reach us through contact. If the answer is no, don't take the animal anyway: plan a pet sitter or boarding for the days you'll be driving. If you're moving to Brisbane with a pet, moving to Queensland from interstate covers the other first-week tasks.

What are Queensland's rules for dogs in cars?

• Not on your lap. It's an offence to drive with an animal in your lap, or without proper control of the vehicle.^[1]
• Head only out of the window. You must not transport a dog inside a vehicle if any part of it other than its head can protrude. At the time of writing (October 2026), the maximum penalty is $10,362.^[2]
• Safe, secure and comfortable. Under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, you're legally required to make sure your dog is safe, secure and comfortable when travelling inside a vehicle.^[2]
• Restraint is recommended. The road rules don't specifically require an animal inside a car to be restrained, but the Queensland Government recommends restraining it in some way for the safety of the animal and everyone in the car.^[1]
• Effective control. Under the dog laws, a dog confined or tethered in a vehicle in a way that stops it moving any part of its body beyond the vehicle counts as being under effective control.^[3]
• No leading from the car. You must not lead an animal from a vehicle, including tying it to the car.^[4]

In practice, a crate secured in the boot area or a harness clipped into a seatbelt keeps a dog from moving around the cabin, distracting the driver or being thrown forward in a sudden stop. Use one made for the size of your dog.

Can I leave my dog in the car for a few minutes?

No, not even briefly with the windows down. Business Queensland lists confining an animal in a way that causes heat stress as an example of cruel transport, and penalties for animal cruelty go up to $345,400 or 3 years in prison at the time of writing.^[2]

• Plan stops where the dog can come with you, or someone can stay with it outside the car.
• Carry water on long trips; the government's advice for dogs travelling in hot conditions includes giving water to prevent dehydration.^[2]
• If you see an animal in distress, the Queensland Government's road safety pages give the RSPCA's number: 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625).^[4]

Will I be charged for cleaning?

You may be, if the car comes back needing more than a normal clean. Our terms ask you to return the car clean (clause 6.2), and cleaning beyond normal use is one of the charges we can propose after return (clause 10.3).

• Protect the seats and boot with a waterproof cover or old blankets, and keep the dog off the front seats.
• Groom before the trip, and bring a lint roller or a small vacuum for hair.
• Deal with accidents straight away; wet patches and smells are harder to shift after a hot day.
• Air the car out before you return it, and check the floor, the boot and under the seats.
• If we propose a charge, it comes itemised with the evidence, and you have 72 hours to dispute it. We inspect the car within 48 hours of return.

Damage is different from cleaning. Scratches to trim or chewed seatbelts are damage to the car, which our terms make you liable for up to the excess of A$2,500 per incident, or for the full loss in the cases clause 9.3 lists. How the bond and excess work is in bond, deposit and excess explained.

What about guide, hearing and assistance dogs?

Queensland's Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 gives handlers of certified dogs the right to enter public places, public passenger vehicles (including taxis and other booked services) and places of accommodation, and it is unlawful to refuse them entry or to separate them from their dog.^[5] A rental car you drive yourself isn't a public passenger vehicle, but under our terms an assistance animal doesn't need our consent in the first place.

Handlers identify a certified dog with their handler's identity card, displayed or available if asked, and the dog's coat carrying the blue and white guide, hearing and assistance dog logo.^[6] You don't need to show us anything to travel with your assistance animal, but telling us when you book helps us have the car ready and lets us mention anything about the car that might matter.