If you have a vacation planned this year, you might need to rent a car for a portion of your trip. Especially if you are away from public transportation and larger cities. What You Need to Rent a Car? Make sure you have what you need before you make a reservation.
What You Need to Rent a Car?
- Valid U.S. driver’s license
- Insurance coverage
- Clean driving record
- Credit Card
- Age limitations for younger drivers. Most agencies in the U.S. require renters to be 25+ or incur a young driver fee.
Do You Have a Valid Drivers License?
You will need a valid (not expired) driver’s license at the time of rental from the U.S. or Canada to rent a car in the U.S. International visitors will need to show a driver’s license and a valid passport to rent a car.
If you have an International Drivers Permit (IDP), you can use that as an additional form of identification. In the U.S., you can get one from AAA.com.
Do You Have Insurance Coverage?
Don’t wait until you reach the rental car counter to figure out how much insurance you need for your rental car. The car agencies want you to use their expensive liability coverage.
If you already own a car and have your own auto policy, it can be used for your rental car. Though remember to call your auto insurance provider to confirm coverage before your trip.
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What About Rental Cars and Toll Roads?
As the driver, you are responsible for the tolls that occurred during your trip. Unfortunately, the U.S. doesn’t offer a service that covers the entire country’s toll roads. That would be easy.
As it is, each state manages or contracts out its toll roads. Cashless toll roads (the roads without collection points along the route) are calculated by the car and not the driver. So the rental car agency gets and pays the bill.
Then, the rental agencies pass on the charges to the renter. Of course, you, the renter, incur a convenience charge. Those charges range wildly from agency to agency.
So if you’re concerned with racking up toll charges. Avoid toll roads, and the easiest way to do that is to program your preference into Apple Maps, Google Maps or Waze. Each offers an option to avoid toll roads.
If you’re based on the East Coast, chances are you already have an EZ Pass Transponder. You can use your personal transponder in your rental car in 15 states in the eastern portion of the U.S.
You can also order an EZ Pass Transponder through Amazon.com. After you receive it, then you can set up an account and add a credit card for the toll charges.
Where to Find Inexpensive Rental Cars
- Consider an off-airport location. Convenience sometimes comes with an upcharge. Do some research and check out those other locations that might rent for a lower rate.
- Sign up for the rental car agency’s email list. That’s where you’ll find discount rates.
- Look for discounts available through your credit cards.
- Costco and Sam’s Club both offer discounts with membership.
- Consider a relocation. Many rental companies need to move cars seasonally, so find crazy low daily rentals to drive cars one way to popular destinations like Orlando. This can be done for RVs too.
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Do’s and Don’ts of Rental Cars
- Do look for the closest gas station so you can fill up when returning your rental car.
- Don’t prepay for gas from the rental agency.
- Do give yourself extra time to get back to the airport and check-in.
- Don’t forget to examine your rental car before departing the rental agency’s parking lot.
- Do take photos of the damage on the rental car when you pick it up along with the odometer readings before and after you drive.
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