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Need help with your car rental? Phone: 1888-269-6248
Need help with your car rental?
Phone: 1888-269-6248

Car Rental Tips in the USA

Additional Car Rental tips in the US guide banner

Before you book your rental car, there are some important things to be aware of. VroomVroomVroom makes it easy for you to compare rental cars from major companies including Alamo, National, Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Thrifty, Budget and more. However, before you click book, there are a few things to think about to make sure you have chosen the right vehicle.

How can I find the right rental car?

It's easy to find a rental car to suit your needs with VroomVroomVroom. On our comparison list, you'll be able to see information about the vehicle specifications so you can choose the perfect car. Make sure you've considered the following things:

How many people will be traveling?

Even though smaller vehicles may be more economical, a larger car may be necessary if you are travelling with a larger group, or you have a lot of luggage with you. There are large distances between cities in the United States, so it is important to be comfortable on long drives. You'll be able to check the luggage space and seating capacity of each vehicle on our website.

If you're planning an extended trip to the US, and you have a lot of luggage, you may prefer to rent an RV. This is a popular method of travel in the States, with plenty of RV parks located in popular tourist destinations around the country. With VroomVroomVroom, you can easily compare RV rentals.

Are you traveling with children?

In most states, it is illegal to travel with small children in the car without a proper safety restraint. When you book your rental car, you can easily request a child seat. Note that this will incur an extra cost. The age of the child also impacts which seat you will need to request, so make sure you do your research beforehand.

What transmission?

This is a detail that is easy to overlook - but is very important for some drivers. If you cannot drive manual transmission, make sure you check the vehicle specifications to make sure the car is automatic. Automatic transmission is more common in the US, so if you are looking for a car with manual transmission, you may have to search through more vehicles.

Do you need an International Driving Permit?

If you have a driver's license that is not printed in English, you may be required to also present an International Driving Permit. The permit will need to be issued from your home country, so if required you'll need to organize this before you leave.

Adding additional drivers?

In the US, sharing the driving is a great way to stay alert on the road. Some companies will charge a daily fee for each additional driver. In some cases, a renter's spouse may be considered an authorized driver and may not be required to pay a fee.

Picking up a car from an airport

While picking up your rental car from the airport is often the most convenient way to start your journey, in some cases it is also more expensive. If you are looking to save money, it can be a good idea to pick up your car from a downtown depot instead.

If you do decide to pick up your car from an airport, make sure you provide your flight number. If there are any delays, staff can track your estimated time of arrival and make sure there is someone to meet you.

Insurance

For US renters, they may find their rental car is already covered by their own car insurance. Some foreign visitors rely on their travel insurance policies, and purchase Collision Damage Waiver from the car rental companies.

Request a GPS

Before you set out on your journey, whether it be to tour the countryside or to go to your hotel, make sure that you discuss with the car rental representatives where you need to go and how to get there. Most dealers have free maps and diagrams on which they can draw your path. Orient yourself in terms of directions before you get into the car. You can also request for a car rental with GPS.


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