What you need to rent a car
To rent a car, you need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance. Most rental companies require you to be at least 21 years old, though some charge extra fees for drivers under 25. A few companies will rent to drivers as young as 18, but the daily rate is usually higher and restrictions are stricter.
Your driver's license must not be suspended or revoked. The rental company will check this when you arrive. If you have an international license, bring your passport as well — some locations require it, others accept it as a secondary form of ID. A few rental companies outside the United States may accept an International Driving Permit, but this is not standard in the U.S.
The credit card must be in your own name and have available credit for the rental cost plus a hold — typically $200 to $500 depending on the car size and location. Debit cards are rarely accepted for the initial hold, though some companies will make exceptions if you bring a printed hotel reservation or other proof of return address.
Key Takeaways
- You must show a valid driver's license, credit card in your name, and proof of insurance; most companies require you to be at least 21 years old.
- Insurance can come from your personal auto policy, a credit card benefit, or the rental company itself — check what your existing coverage includes before you book.
- The rental agreement includes damage liability, collision coverage, and theft protection; read what is and is not covered before signing.
- Fuel, tolls, parking tickets, and late return fees are your responsibility and are not included in the base rental price.
- Booking directly with the rental company often costs less than booking through a third-party website, and you can modify or cancel more easily.
Insurance and damage coverage at the rental counter
When you pick up the car, the rental company will offer you several types of coverage. The most common are Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which covers damage to the rental car if you hit something, and Liability Insurance, which covers damage you cause to other people's property or injuries to other people. Some companies also offer Theft Protection and Personal Effects Coverage.
Before you rent, check whether your personal auto insurance already covers rental cars. Most policies do, but some exclude rentals or limit coverage to a certain number of days. Call your insurance company and ask specifically: "Does my policy cover damage to a rental car if I cause an accident?" and "What is my deductible?" If your policy covers rentals, you usually do not need to buy the rental company's collision coverage — you can decline it at the counter and save $15 to $30 per day.
Some credit cards include rental car coverage as a cardholder benefit. This typically covers collision damage but not liability. Check your card's terms before you rent. If your card covers collisions and your personal insurance covers liability, you may not need any additional coverage from the rental company. If you have no personal insurance and no credit card coverage, you should purchase the rental company's coverage to protect yourself from potentially thousands of dollars in liability.
Read the rental agreement carefully before you sign. It will list what damage is and is not covered, what your deductible is, and what happens if the car is stolen or totaled. Some agreements exclude coverage for damage caused by off-road driving, towing, or driving in certain weather conditions.
What the rental price includes and does not include
The base rental price covers the car itself and the mileage (in most U.S. rentals, mileage is unlimited). It does not cover fuel, tolls, parking fees, or late return charges. Some rental companies charge a fuel service fee if you return the car with less than a full tank — this fee is usually $5 to $10 plus the cost of the fuel itself, calculated at a rate higher than you would pay at a gas station.
If you rent in a city with tolls, you are responsible for paying them. Some rental companies offer a toll pass or transponder for an extra daily fee, which can be cheaper than paying tolls individually if you will cross multiple toll roads. Ask about this option when you book or pick up the car.
Parking tickets, traffic violations, and towing charges are your responsibility. If you receive a ticket while driving a rental car, the rental company will forward it to you, and you will have to pay it. Some rental companies charge an administrative fee on top of the ticket itself.
If you return the car late, you will be charged for the extra time. Most companies charge a daily rate for late returns, though some allow a grace period of 30 minutes to an hour. Check the rental agreement for the late return policy before you pick up the car.
Booking directly versus third-party websites
You can rent a car by booking directly with a rental company's website (Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, National, or others) or through a third-party booking site (Kayak, Expedia, Priceline, Autoslash, or others). Direct booking is usually cheaper because you avoid the markup that third-party sites add. You also have more control over cancellations and changes — if your plans change, you can modify your reservation directly with the company rather than going through a middleman.
Third-party sites can be useful for comparing prices across multiple companies at once, but the price shown may not include taxes and fees, which can add 20% to 40% to the final cost. Always click through to the rental company's own site to see the full price before you commit.
If you book through a third-party site and need to cancel or change your reservation, read the cancellation policy carefully. Some third-party bookings are non-refundable or have strict change policies that the rental company itself would not enforce.
What to check when you pick up the car
Before you drive away, walk around the car with the rental agent and inspect it for damage. Point out any dents, scratches, stains, or mechanical issues you see. The agent should note these on the rental agreement. Take photos or video of the car's condition with your phone — this creates a record if there is a dispute later about pre-existing damage.
Check that the car has a full tank of fuel, working lights, functioning wipers, and no warning lights on the dashboard. Test the air conditioning and heating. If anything is broken or missing, tell the agent before you leave the lot. Do not assume you will be able to report it later.
Make sure you understand where the gas cap release is, how to open the trunk, and where the spare tire is located. Ask the agent to show you if you are not sure. Confirm the fuel type (regular, premium, diesel) so you put the right fuel in when you refill.
Returning the car and avoiding extra charges
Return the car on time, with a full tank of fuel, and in the same condition you received it (normal wear and tear is expected). If you return it early, most companies will refund the unused days, though some non-refundable bookings may not. If you return it late, you will be charged for the extra time.
Fill the tank completely before you return the car. If you return it with less fuel, the rental company will charge you for a fill-up at their rate, which is usually higher than what you would pay at a gas station. Some companies charge a fuel service fee on top of the fuel cost.
Return the car to the location where you rented it, unless you booked a one-way rental. One-way rentals cost more because the company has to move the car back to its home location. If you need to return the car to a different location than where you picked it up, book a one-way rental from the start rather than trying to change it later.
Keep your rental agreement and receipt. If you are charged for damage after you return the car, you will need these documents to dispute the charge. Some rental companies wait weeks or months to report damage, so do not assume you are in the clear just because you were not charged at the counter.
Special situations and restrictions
If you are under 25, expect to pay a young driver surcharge, typically $15 to $25 per day. Some rental companies will not rent to drivers under 21 at all. If you are over 75, some companies may require a doctor's note or may not rent to you without additional restrictions.
If you have a poor driving record or recent accidents, some rental companies may refuse to rent to you or may charge higher rates. A few companies specialize in renting to drivers with poor records, but they charge significantly more.
If you need a car seat for a child, most rental companies offer them for an extra fee, usually $10 to $15 per day. You can also bring your own car seat. If you bring your own, make sure it is compatible with the car's seat belt system.
Some rental companies restrict where you can drive. Read the rental agreement to see if there are geographic limits. For example, some companies do not allow rentals to be driven into Mexico or Canada, or into certain U.S. states or regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car with a debit card instead of a credit card?
Most rental companies require a credit card because they need to place a hold for potential damage charges. A few companies accept debit cards if you bring additional proof of identity and return address, such as a hotel reservation or utility bill. Call the rental company before you book to ask about their debit card policy.
What happens if I get in an accident while renting a car?
Stop the car in a safe place, turn on hazard lights, and call 911 if anyone is injured. Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, insurance information, and license plate number. Take photos of the damage to both cars. Call the rental company when ready — do not wait until you return the car. The rental company will tell you what to do next and may require you to file a police report.
Can I rent a car if my license is suspended?
No. Rental companies check your license status when you arrive, and a suspended or revoked license will disqualify you. You cannot rent a car legally if your license is not valid.
Do I have to buy the rental company's insurance if my personal insurance covers rentals?
No. If your personal auto insurance covers rental cars, you can decline the rental company's collision coverage. However, you should still review your policy's deductible and coverage limits. If your deductible is high or your coverage is limited, you may want to purchase additional coverage from the rental company for peace of mind.
What if I return the car with less than a full tank?
The rental company will charge you for a fill-up at their rate, which is typically higher than gas station prices. They may also charge a fuel service fee. It is cheaper to fill the tank yourself at a gas station before you return the car.