Rent a self-drive car

FAQ

What do I need to rent a self-drive car?

Firstly, you need a valid driver’s license. In most cases, you must have held it for at least one (1) year. You also need a credit (or debit, where accepted) card to pay with and leave a deposit and the Rental Voucher received when making a reservation. When renting in a foreign country, you often need another form of identification, usually a passport.

At what age can I rent a self-drive car?

This depends on where you would like to rent a car. Though you can rent a car at the age of 18 in many European countries and the states of New York and Michigan in the United States, in many locations you must be 21 to rent a car. You can conveniently check by entering your age before clicking Search now. Note that most rental companies charge an additional Young Driver Fee for renters under the age of 25, though this age varies by company and location. If you enter your age before searching, we include this fee in the total allowing for the simplest comparison.

What should I look for when choosing a self-drive car ?

There are two things you should use to determine which company to rent from – reviews and the Rental Conditions. We ask every customer to rate their rental experience after they drop off the car and show their ratings when you search for a car. If you want to be sure you get great service, look for the Excellent Car Rental Service badge which we award to the top three companies in each location with an average rating of 8 or higher. You should also check the Rental Conditions to make sure the rental company you choose works best for your requirements.

Can I rent a self drive-car without a credit card?

Though just a few years ago it was impossible to rent a car without a credit card, things have changed quickly. Many companies, especially global companies such as Avis, Dollar, Hertz, etc., allow renters to both pay and leave a deposit with a debit card (though the card must be a Mastercard or Visa).

If you do not have a credit card, be sure to check the Payment Policy section of the Rental Conditions prior to booking to see if the company accepts debit cards.

What if my plans change?

When you reserve a car through DiscoverCars.com, you can make changes or cancel your reservation for free at any point prior to 48 hours before you are scheduled to pick up the car.