What Do You Have to Have to Rent a U-Haul?

Renting a U-Haul truck, cargo van, or trailer is one of the most common ways people handle a move or haul large items. But the process has real requirements — and walking in without the right documents or meeting the right criteria can stop your rental before it starts. Here's how it generally works.

The Core Requirements to Rent a U-Haul

U-Haul has a set of baseline requirements that apply at most locations. These aren't suggestions — they're conditions that must be met before you can take a vehicle or trailer off the lot.

A Valid Driver's License

You need a valid, government-issued driver's license. This is non-negotiable. U-Haul accepts licenses from all 50 U.S. states, U.S. territories, and most Canadian provinces. International licenses may be accepted at some locations, but this varies — if you hold a foreign license, it's worth calling ahead.

Your license must be current. An expired license — even by a day — will typically disqualify you.

Minimum Age Requirements

Age requirements depend on what you're renting:

Some locations or situations may apply a higher age threshold — this can depend on the specific location or state regulations. If you're under 25, some insurers also treat you differently on supplemental coverage options.

A Credit or Debit Card in Your Name

U-Haul requires a valid payment method to complete the rental. Credit cards are the most straightforward option. Debit cards are generally accepted, but U-Haul may place a hold on funds that temporarily reduces your available balance — the amount varies.

Prepaid cards and cash are sometimes accepted at specific locations but are not universally accepted. This is one of those details where calling your local U-Haul in advance saves a headache.

A Valid Contact Number and Email Address

You'll need to provide a working phone number and email address to complete the rental agreement. This is used for confirmation, communication during the rental, and return logistics.

What You Need If You're Towing a Trailer

If you're renting a trailer instead of a truck, the requirements shift. U-Haul doesn't provide a vehicle to pull the trailer — you use your own. That means your vehicle has to meet certain criteria.

Your towing vehicle must:

• Have a properly rated hitch and ball mount (U-Haul trailers typically require a 1-7/8" or 2" ball, depending on trailer size)
• Have functioning trailer wiring and lights
• Meet U-Haul's towing capacity requirements for the trailer size you're renting

U-Haul employees will typically inspect your hitch setup before releasing the trailer. If your setup doesn't pass, you won't be able to take the trailer — even if you have everything else in order.

Insurance and Damage Coverage

U-Haul offers optional damage coverage plans at the rental counter. These are not insurance policies in the traditional sense — they're waivers that limit your financial liability if the equipment is damaged.

Whether you need to purchase this coverage depends on your situation:

• Some personal auto insurance policies extend coverage to rental trucks — but many do not. Truck rentals are frequently excluded from standard personal auto policies.
• Some credit cards offer rental coverage, but again, many exclude moving trucks.
• If neither applies, you're generally liable for damage to the equipment out of pocket.

🗂️ It's worth contacting your auto insurer and credit card company before your rental date to understand exactly what's covered — and for what equipment type.

Additional Drivers

If someone else will be driving the U-Haul at any point, U-Haul requires them to be listed as an additional driver on the contract. That person must also present a valid license at the time of rental. Unlisted drivers using the vehicle creates a liability issue and may void coverage.

What Doesn't Affect Your U-Haul Rental Eligibility

Unlike traditional car rentals, U-Haul does not run a credit check. Your credit score is not a factor. However, they do verify your identity, and a declined or invalid payment method will block the transaction.

U-Haul also doesn't pull your driving record for most rentals the way some car rental companies do — though certain violation histories may flag during checkout depending on location policies.

How the Requirements Vary

A few factors shape what's required at any specific location:

• State regulations — some states have laws that affect age thresholds, hold amounts, or acceptable license types
• Equipment type — trailers, cargo vans, and large box trucks each carry slightly different rules
• One-way vs. in-town rental — one-way rentals crossing state lines may involve different deposit amounts or verification steps
• Location policies — U-Haul is a franchise-based system, and individual dealers sometimes have their own procedures layered on top of the standard requirements

🚛 A 26-foot truck rented one-way across three states on a debit card from a franchise dealer in one state may go through a different process than renting a cargo van in-town at a corporate location.

The Gap Between General Rules and Your Specific Situation

The framework above covers how U-Haul rentals generally work. What actually happens when you walk up to the counter depends on your location, your payment method, the equipment you're renting, your license type, and how your vehicle is configured if you're towing.

The requirements aren't complicated — but they're specific enough that confirming the details with your local U-Haul location before you show up is always the more reliable move.