Yes — child seats can be added to your Bargain Rental Cars booking. Request a child seat when you book online or contact your nearest branch directly to confirm availability for your pickup location and dates. Child seats are subject to availability and are not automatically included with your rental, so requesting them at the time of booking is important, especially during peak travel periods.
NZ Law: When Your Child Must Use a Car Seat
New Zealand law is clear and the driver is responsible for compliance — not the passengers, and not the parents if someone else is driving. Under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004:
- Under 7 years old: must be in an approved child restraint at all times, in every vehicle
- 7 years old (between 7th and 8th birthdays): must use a child restraint if one is available in the vehicle
- 8 years and over: no longer legally required to use a child restraint, but best practice recommends a booster seat until the child reaches 148cm tall — typically between ages 10 and 12
As the driver, you are legally responsible for ensuring any child under 7 in your rental car is properly restrained. This applies to rental cars exactly as it does to your own vehicle. You cannot legally drive with an under-7 in the car without an appropriate restraint — even if you’ve just landed and are heading to the branch to pick up a booked seat.
How to Add a Child Seat to Your Bargain Rental Cars Booking
When booking online at bargainrentalcars.co.nz, you can request a child seat during the booking process. When completing your booking, include:
- The age, weight, and height of each child who needs a seat
- The type of seat required (baby capsule, child seat or booster seat)
- Your pickup location and dates
Including this detail upfront helps the branch prepare the right seat for your arrival and avoids delays at pickup. Child seats are subject to availability — booking well in advance is strongly recommended, particularly during school holidays, the summer season (December to February), and the Queenstown/Christchurch ski season (June to September).
Bargain Rental Cars has 24 locations across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown — contact your nearest branch directly if you have specific questions about seat types available at that location.
Can I Bring My Own Child Seat to New Zealand?
Yes. You can use your own child seat in a New Zealand rental car, provided it meets an approved safety standard. New Zealand accepts child restraints certified under:
- NZS 1754 — New Zealand standard (shows an ‘S’ mark)
- AS 1754 — Australian standard (shows a tick mark)
- ECE 44 — European standard (shows an ‘E’ mark)
Click on this link for NZTA website to find out more information
Travelling to NZ with a Baby or Toddler — Practical Tips
Book your seat before you fly. Child seat availability at rental branches fills quickly during peak periods. During school holidays and summer, branches across Auckland, Christchurch, and Queenstown can run short of seats. Don’t leave it until you’re checking your booking a week before departure.
Allow extra time at pickup. Installing a child seat correctly in an unfamiliar vehicle takes time. Plan for an extra 10–15 minutes at the branch to set up the seat, check the fit, and adjust harness heights before you drive off. Staff can assist, but the driver is ultimately responsible for correct installation.
Check the seat fits before you drive. Once the seat is installed, check: the seat cannot move more than 2.5cm in any direction, the harness lies flat with no slack or twists, and the chest clip sits at armpit level (for harness seats). If anything doesn’t fit correctly, ask staff for help or call the NZTA’s certified child restraint technician service.
The back seat is always safest. All child restraints — rear-facing and forward-facing — should be fitted in the rear of the vehicle. Never place a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag.
Consider your vehicle choice. If you’re travelling with two or more children who need car seats, a standard 5-seat sedan can become tight with three car seats across the back row — especially with larger forward-facing seats. Consider a larger vehicle: Bargain Rental Cars’ Toyota Highlander (7 seats, AWD) and people movers give more rear-seat width and are significantly more practical for families with multiple young children and luggage.
Choosing the Right Vehicle for Family Travel with Bargain Rental Cars
| Family scenario | Recommended BRC vehicle |
|---|---|
| 2 adults + 1–2 children with child seats | Toyota Camry — wide rear seat, comfortable for long drives |
| 2 adults + 2–3 children, ski trip or road trip | Toyota Highlander (AWD, 7 seats) — extra row, AWD for alpine routes |
| Large family or two families travelling together | 10-seat Minivan or 12-seat Minibus — maximum space for seats, luggage, and gear |
| Family flying into Queenstown in winter | Toyota Highlander or RAV4 Hybrid AWD — essential for ski field access roads |
Bargain Rental Cars’ full fleet — including the Camry, Highlander, RAV4 Hybrid, people movers, and minibuses — is available at branches across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I hire a car seat with my rental car in New Zealand?
Child seats can be added to your Bargain Rental Cars booking at the time of reservation. Request the seat type and provide your child’s age, weight, and height when booking. Child seats are subject to availability — book well in advance, especially during school holidays, summer, and the ski season. Bargain Rental Cars has 24 locations across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown.
Do rental cars in New Zealand include baby seats?
No — child seats are not automatically included with rental cars in New Zealand. They are an add-on that must be requested at the time of booking and may attract a daily hire fee. Availability varies by location and season. It is always worth confirming with the branch directly when booking.
Is it legal to drive in New Zealand without a child seat?
If your child is under 7, it is illegal to drive without an approved child restraint. The driver is legally responsible — not the parent if someone else is driving. Children aged 7 must use a restraint if one is available in the vehicle. Children aged 8 and over are no longer required by law to use one, but best practice recommends a booster seat until 148cm tall.
Can I bring my own child seat to New Zealand?
Yes, provided it meets an approved safety standard: New Zealand (NZS 1754 / ‘S’ mark), Australian (AS 1754 / tick), or European (ECE 44 / ‘E’ mark). Click on this link for NZTA website to find out more information
What is the best rental car for a family with young children in New Zealand?
For two adults and one or two children with car seats, the Toyota Camry is a practical, comfortable choice. For larger families, multiple children, ski gear, or road trips, the Toyota Highlander (7-seat AWD) offers far more rear-seat space and is significantly better suited to fitting two or three child seats side by side. It also provides all-wheel drive for alpine routes in the South Island. Book early — Highlanders are among the most popular vehicles at Bargain Rental Cars during school holidays and winter.
Where can I hire a car seat at Auckland Airport?
Bargain Rental Cars’ Auckland Airport branch at 12 Pavilion Drive, Airport Oaks arranges child seats for advance bookings. When booking online, include your child’s age, weight, and height so the right seat is ready at pickup. To confirm availability at Auckland Airport or any other branch, call 0800 566 701 or visit the locations page to contact your nearest branch directly.
