Yes, you can often hire a truck in Melbourne on the same day you need it. Turbofleet holds a fleet of moving trucks at two depots, Craigieburn in the north and Ravenhall in the west, and when a truck is free you can book it, collect it, and drive away the same day. Rates start from $74.55 a day, the truck drives on a standard car licence, and handovers take under thirty minutes. Same-day hire comes down to availability, so the earlier in the day you call, the better your chances, especially on a busy weekend. If the exact truck you want is booked out, a smaller truck, a van, or a different depot can usually still get you moving today.
Can you really get a truck the same day?
For most weekdays, yes. Trucks come back to the depot between bookings, so there is regular turnover, and a truck that is free for your dates can be collected the same day once the booking is confirmed. The honest answer is that it depends on three things: the day of the week, the time you ask, and how flexible you are on truck size.
Weekdays are the easiest time to get a same-day truck, since demand is spread out and fewer people are moving. Weekends are the busiest, because that is when most house moves happen, so same-day availability is tighter on a Saturday or Sunday. Turbofleet generally suggests booking three to five business days ahead for a weekend slot, which tells you how quickly those fill. That does not mean a weekend same-day truck is impossible, only that it is less certain, so it pays to call first thing.
The time of day matters too. A truck that is free in the morning may be booked by the afternoon, so the sooner you ask, the more choice you have. If you know today is the day, treat the call or booking as the first job on your list.
How same-day truck hire works
The process is quick when a truck is available. You check availability by booking online or calling the depot, the team confirms a truck is free for the rest of the day, and you head in to collect it. At pickup, staff check your licence, set up the refundable bond, and run through the truck, which takes under thirty minutes. Then you load and go.
Because Turbofleet owns and runs its own fleet, you are dealing directly with the depot that holds the keys, rather than a booking site that has to check with someone else. That direct line is what makes same-day possible, since the team can see what is on the lot right now and hand it over on the spot. You can start on the truck hire Melbourne page or through reservations, or call the depot to confirm a truck for today.
How to improve your chances of a same-day truck
A few simple moves make a same-day truck far more likely:
- Call or book first thing in the morning, before the day’s trucks are taken.
- Be flexible on size. If your first choice is booked, a slightly bigger or smaller truck may be free and still do the job.
- Try the depot nearest you first, then the other one. Between Craigieburn and Ravenhall, a truck may be free at one when the other is full.
- Go midweek if you have any choice, since weekdays have more availability than weekends.
- Have your details ready so the booking is quick and the truck is not taken while you gather paperwork.
Flexibility is the biggest factor. A customer who can take any truck size from either depot will nearly always get moving today, while someone who needs one specific truck from one specific depot on a Saturday has the tightest odds.
What you need ready for a fast same-day pickup
Same-day hire moves quickly, so having everything ready keeps the truck from being booked by someone else while you sort things out. Before you call, have these on hand:
- A full, valid driver’s licence for whoever is driving. Overseas visitors can drive on a valid licence in English or with an international permit.
- A payment card for the refundable bond, which is set up at pickup and returned when the truck comes back in good order.
- A clear idea of your load size, so the team can point you to the right truck straight away.
- A way to get to the depot promptly once the booking is confirmed.
With those ready, a same-day booking can go from phone call to loaded truck in an hour or two.
What a same-day truck costs
Same-day hire is priced the same as any other day. A moving truck starts from $74.55 a day, and booking it at short notice does not add a surcharge, since Turbofleet does not charge booking fees. The rate you would pay tomorrow is the rate you pay today.
The one thing to keep in mind is the weekend premium. Weekends and public holidays are busier and can carry a higher rate than a quiet weekday, which is separate from same-day booking. Each hire includes 100 kilometres a day, with a per kilometre fee after that, so plan your route to stay within the allowance on a single day move. A refundable bond applies at pickup and comes back once the truck is returned in good condition. For a fuller breakdown of rates, the moving truck rental guide walks through the detail.
Truck sizes you can get the same day
Turbofleet’s moving trucks come in a few sizes, and which one you can get same day depends on what is free. As a guide:
- A 2.5 metre van holds around 6 to 7 cubic metres, enough for a few large items or a studio.
- A 4.2 metre box truck holds about 18 cubic metres, right for a one or two bedroom move.
- A 6 metre pantech holds 30 to 35 cubic metres and handles a full three to four bedroom house in one load.
Smaller trucks and vans tend to have better same-day availability, since there are more of them and they turn over faster. If you need the largest pantech at short notice, it is worth calling early, as those are in higher demand for full house moves. If the size you want is not free today, a slightly smaller truck with a second trip can often still get the job done.
What if no truck is available today?
Sometimes every truck is out, especially on a weekend. If that happens, you still have options rather than losing the day:
- Take a smaller truck or a van. For a small move or a few large items, a cargo van collected same day can do what you need without a truck.
- Use a ute for an open or dirty load, such as garden waste or building materials, which are often easier to get at short notice.
- Try the other depot. A truck may be free at Ravenhall when Craigieburn is full, or the other way around.
- Book the earliest slot tomorrow. If today truly is not possible, an early pickup the next morning still gives you a full day.
The team can tell you on the phone what is free right now and suggest the quickest way to get moving, so it is always worth asking rather than assuming today is off.
Same-day hire for moving versus urgent jobs
Same-day truck hire suits two kinds of need. The first is a house move that has come together at short notice, where a small or mid-size truck collected today gets the job done, sometimes in two trips if the load is large. The second is an urgent one-off, such as picking up a bulky purchase, clearing a property, or a last-minute delivery, where you need a truck for a few hours today rather than a planned move.
For either case, the same rules apply: call early, be flexible on size, and have your licence and bond ready. If you are moving house and want to plan it properly rather than rush, the guide on why truck hire beats the alternatives is worth a read, but for a genuine same-day need, a quick call to the depot is the fastest path.
Driving a hire truck the same day
One worry that stops people booking same day is whether they can legally and confidently drive a truck. You can. A standard Australian car licence, class C, covers any truck up to 4.5 tonnes, which includes the vans and box trucks most people hire for a move. Only heavier vehicles above that limit need a Light Rigid or Medium Rigid licence, and Turbofleet’s moving trucks sit within the car licence range.
If you have never driven a truck, they handle much like a tall, long car. Take wider turns, watch your height near car parks and awnings, brake a little earlier with a load on board, and use the mirrors and reversing camera when parking. A few minutes of getting used to it and it feels natural. Our guide on how to drive a moving truck covers the habits that make a first-time truck drive easy, and it is worth a quick read before you set off.
Fitting a same-day move into the day
Because a day rate covers you from pickup to return, a same-day truck works best when you plan the whole job into the hours you have. The single biggest help is an early pickup, since it leaves room for loading, driving, unloading, and a second trip if you need one, all before the depot closes. Have your boxes packed and any bed frames or table legs taken apart before you collect the truck, not after, so loading is quick. Load the heaviest items first, low and against the front wall, and strap them in using the tie-down points. Then drive, unload by room, and come straight back for the next load if there is one. A local move with a nearby depot can comfortably fit into a single day when you start in the morning, and staying within the 100 kilometre daily allowance keeps the cost predictable. If the load is clearly too big for one day even with trips, it is better to book a larger truck or allow two days than to run out of time and pay for a late return.
Where to pick up a truck the same day in Melbourne
Turbofleet’s two depots cover a wide stretch of the city. The Craigieburn depot in the north is handy for Broadmeadows, Epping, Roxburgh Park, Lalor, and Sunbury. The Ravenhall depot in the west covers Melton, Sunshine, and the surrounding suburbs. Collecting from the depot nearest you keeps your travel short, which matters on a same-day move when time is tight and the hire has a daily kilometre allowance.
Having two depots also improves your same-day odds, since a truck free at one location can be collected even when the other is fully booked. You can see the trucks and check what is available on the Craigieburn fleet and Ravenhall fleet pages.
How to book a truck for today
To lock in a same-day truck, move quickly and in this order. First, check availability online or call the depot as early in the day as you can. Second, be ready to take whatever suitable truck is free, rather than holding out for one exact model. Third, confirm the booking straight away so the truck is held for you. Fourth, bring your licence and a card for the bond, and get to the depot promptly to collect. Once you arrive, the handover takes under thirty minutes and you are on your way.
If you would rather speak to someone before booking, contact the Turbofleet team and they will tell you what is free today and hold a truck while you make your way in.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a truck today in Melbourne?
Often yes. Turbofleet keeps trucks at its Craigieburn and Ravenhall depots, and when one is free you can book and collect it the same day. Call early and be flexible on size for the best chance.
Is same-day truck hire more expensive?
No. Same-day hire is the standard day rate from $74.55, with no booking fee for short notice. Weekends and public holidays carry the usual busy-period premium, which is separate from booking on the day.
What time should I book for a same-day truck?
As early as you can. Trucks that are free in the morning may be booked by the afternoon, so calling first thing gives you the most choice of size and depot.
Can I get a truck the same day on a weekend?
Sometimes, but it is tighter. Weekends are the busiest time for moving, and Turbofleet suggests booking a weekend slot three to five business days ahead, so a same-day weekend truck is less certain. Call early and be flexible.
