Updated 11/20/2023
There are so many reasons for that! Car rental for the first time can be often scary and confusing. Also, there are many pitfalls you want to prevent. Read about the benefits of the first time car rental and make sure you are ready for a trip.
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How to rent a car: car rental tips for newcomers
What should you do when you first rent a car? Discover these simple tips about the first time car rental and understand how the whole process of renting a car works from the very beginning.
Inspect the car carefully
Take your time to inspect the car you are going to take for rent. Car rental for the first time needs some time to check your vehicle for damages. When you find any damages, ask the agent to mark it in your contract or change the car. Pay attention to scratches, cigarette burns, dents or chips on the outside of the car and on the car seats. It is always better to take photos or even make a video of your car at the rental counter (film both interior and exterior) so that you will have evidences just in case.
Check the fuel policy
Feel free to check the fuel. If you know nothing about the fuel, talk to the manager to find out which fuel the car takes. When you know its level, you must follow the fuel policy of your deal (full to full, full to empty, prepaid fuel, etc.)
Check possible extras
Going for a trip, you may ask for GPS/sat navigation. If you don’t have any, you can use the navigation on your smartphone. Moreover, many companies often give GPS or additional seats for a cheaper price for new renters.
Mark the nearest petrol station
It is important to look for a petrol station near the rental desk and mark it on the map. Also, you can mark the biggest petrol stations along the road you are going to travel on. It can save you from stress about filling the car up.
You are ready to sign up the contract! Wait for the manager!
What do you need to rent a car in the U.S.?
To rent a car you should know a lot about the hidden charges, additional fees, mileage policies, insurance options, credit card information. This process can be simplified if you know the first time car rental requirements.
- Do you need a license to rent a car?
The driver’s license is required all over the US territory. Do rental car companies check the license status? Maybe it will be OK with my old document? It is definitely a bad idea, as a rental company and its personnel have the right to request your license for verification at any time prior to providing you with the reserved vehicle.
Note: in case you decided to choose a cross-country trip, you might be asked to provide an IDP (international driving permit).
- How old do you have to be to rent a car?
You have to be 25 years old to rent a car officially. There are companies, where you can book a car even if you are 21-24 years old. In this case, you will be additionally charged as a young driver for every day of your rental.
- Credit or debit card?
Your reservation and driver’s license is not enough for renting a car. An active credit or debit card is needed, but note that not all companies accept the latter option. It is always better to recheck their payment policy before making a reservation, as it may vary from company to company and from location to location. Also, monitor if your card name matches your driver’s license name (in case you are the main driver) for insurance purposes.
Cash is usually not accepted and as well as debit cards doesn’t work for a deposit!
- Insurance for a rental car
All car rental agencies offer you to take auto insurance. It is optional but strongly recommended, especially if your personal auto insurance doesn’t cover rental car damages. According to the rental contract, the renter takes responsibilities for the car, so you should know that a free insurance package doesn’t cover everything. And in case you want additional protection, it is better to buy a more beneficial plan at the time of reservation.
- Printed booking confirmation voucher
You’ll need to present evidence of your reservation, so we suggest printing the confirmation voucher from the email. This makes sure that problems like bad internet won’t stop you from getting a car. - Don’t forget about local taxes and fees
Even though you will see the total amount for your deal before confirming the reservation, you should keep in mind, that local (state or even city) taxes may be applied at the very rental counter. Usually, they are not a big deal, but prepare to have a higher balance on your card for paying all the extras.
In addition to the documents mentioned above, it’s vital to understand that different rental companies have different requirements. Also, there are many specific points that may be different from other companies. Before booking your car rental, it is better to call the rental agency to get the list of requirements.
Is there a first time car rental discount?
Rental car agencies in the USA can surprise you with attractive proposals for all transportation needs. Browse the web and surprise yourself with car rental coupons and extra discounts for different agencies. Remember, many new interesting discount proposals appear every month.
Company | Discounts |
Avis |
Check Avis car rental first time discount if available in your region;
also -30% discount when you pay online; A free weekend day when booking a trip that lasts more than three days; -$25 off base rates. |
Alamo |
Check the first time Alamo car rent coupon;
also -5% off every day low prices when you are in Alamo Insiders; -$20 off for next rental. |
Budget |
Check Budget car rental first time discount if applicable in your region;
also -35% discount when participating in Pay Now Rates program; -30% off any rental. |
Dollar |
Check Dollar for the first time deals;
also -15% off for AAA Members; -20% off for every booking with Pay Now option; |
Enterprise |
Check Enterprise car rental first time login offers for Enterprise PLUS;
also -10% on airport weekly/weekend rentals |
Sixt |
Check Sixt car rental first-time coupons if available in your location;
also -5% for senior/student car rental, government personnel/emergency worker/travel industry employee discount; -25% for military/veterans/school employee; |
Thrifty |
Check Thrifty car rental promo code for a first time renter if available;
also -15% off for the next booking if you share an email; -15% off the base rate if you choose Pay Now option; |
National |
Check National rental car for the newcomers if available;
also Free Rental Day for Emerald Club members; -20% on the airport weekend deals; |
Payless |
Check Payless attractive discounts for new members if applicable;
also -20% with Pay Now option; -5% for their partners (e.g. AARP members, ATM club members, Fuel Rewards members, Hyatt members, and more); |
Hertz |
Check Hertz first time car rental deal discounts if available;
also -20% worldwide for Black Friday Events (or -25% if you are a Gold Plus Rewards member). |
Try to sign up for emails from the car rental agency – you will be informed about discounts and extra sales. Check them weekly for the most attractive discounts.
Why renting a car is a great idea for any driver?
- Free choice & free move
Stop worrying about transportation, prices, public transport schedules. You are free to focus on what really matters, make stops where you want, and change your route according to your interests. With car hire it’s easy to schedule a Florida road trip and then go for a one-way deal in Ohio! - Save budget
Do you think you can save your budget by booking a taxi? Taxi seems to be turning into a thing of the past. It may be good ONLY to ride home from the bar. Let’s compare the prices! Economy rental cars will cost about $40-65 per day. The drop taxi charge is about $2.60 plus $2.70 per mile. If you are an active traveler, you cannot save money this way. Besides, you have a chance to get the cheapest prices and the most attractive car rental offers, because of the hot competition between car rental agencies. - Comfortable trip
There are many specific places in the country you cannot reach by bus and very expensive to get by taxi. Car rental allows visiting hidden places aside from the popular touristic routes. Also, it is extremely comfortable when the car is waiting for you on arrival. - Affordability
Wherever you live, you can book a car online (many companies offer a discount for online reservation) or with the help of our Rental24H mobile app. Also, if you only use a car for special occasions like weekend specials, you will pay less than owning a car.
FAQs about first car rental
What to know before renting a car?
All the recommendations come down to 4 main tips: read the company’s policy for fuel/payment options/additional fees, take all the necessary documents, the amount on your card must be a little higher than the price of your reservation, check the pick-up and drop-off time carefully so that to avoid any fees.
When is the best time to rent a car in America?
When it comes to making a reservation, the optimal time to book a car is at the last minute. This is when numerous rental companies provide discounts to secure the booking and avoid financial losses on the rental. As for the car rental period in general, it is always better to hire a vehicle during low-season period.
Do you pay for a rental car before or after?
You can pay either before picking up a car with your credit card online, or pay after the drop-off with a debit card.
Can you drop off a rental car before the office opens?
Sure, you can, but before doing it, read your company’s policy about after hours return.