Advice on car hire USA

keava

Hi folks
I was wondering if anyone would have advice on car hire in america?
We would need it for a week and be going from NYC to DC.
What do we need to present to hirethe car? Do you need both parts of the diving licence?
We have full uk with no points etc.
Any advice would be great
Thanks
K

dorsetjohn_3

keava wrote: »

Hi folks
I was wondering if anyone would have advice on car hire in america?
We would need it for a week and be going from NYC to DC.
What do we need to present to hirethe car? Do you need both parts of the diving licence?
We have full uk with no points etc.
Any advice would be great
Thanks
K

yes 2 parts of your drivers licence

must be 25 or over or they will sting you for $25 per day fee

try these 2 firms they are excellent . check to see if there is a fee for dropping of in a different location

www.usrentacar.co.uk

www.uscarhire.co.uk

dzug1

Remember that even if the hire company don't ask for both parts, the police may if you are stopped - you are driving illegally if you don't have both. Knowledge in the US that there ARE two parts seems to be spreading - in the past you may have got away with one but it's far less likely now.

I'd suggest booking the car here on an inclusive deal that will avoid any issues over insurance. The ones mentioned above are but two of many agencies. Try also Auto Europe and carhire3000.

sturll

dzug1 wrote: »

Remember that even if the hire company don't ask for both parts, the police may if you are stopped - you are driving illegally if you don't have both. Knowledge in the US that there ARE two parts seems to be spreading - in the past you may have got away with one but it's far less likely now.

I'd suggest booking the car here on an inclusive deal that will avoid any issues over insurance. The ones mentioned above are but two of many agencies. Try also Auto Europe and carhire3000.

This is good advice.

But for what its worth i have never been asked to produce my counterpart at the rental desk or when stopped by police. I have hired predomininantly with Dollar and Alamo approx 16 times over the last few years. The most recent being Jan this year (where i was also stopped for speeding)

I think my point is that whilst its worth taking just in case, if you do end up forgetting it or losing it the chances are it won't ruin your holiday or car hire opportunities.

mum2g1b

Having rented cars in the USA a lot and lived there I can tell you the rental firms I have used have NEVER asked for the paper part of my licence. I have been stopped by police too and at that time they were very confused about the 2 parts of my licence!! didn't seem to understand why there is also a paper bit as US licences are just the photocard.
However in the US you are legally required to carry licence and insurance docs in the car so better safe than sorry and carry your paper part of the licence too. I very much doubt the hire company will want to see it though.

neilbond007

mum2g1b wrote: »

Having rented cars in the USA a lot and lived there I can tell you the rental firms I have used have NEVER asked for the paper part of my licence. I have been stopped by police too and at that time they were very confused about the 2 parts of my licence!! didn't seem to understand why there is also a paper bit as US licences are just the photocard.
However in the US you are legally required to carry licence and insurance docs in the car so better safe than sorry and carry your paper part of the licence too. I very much doubt the hire company will want to see it though.

I had an disagreement with someone on here about this.
i've never been asked for the paper part in 25 odd US rentals. Whereas they are always asked.... all very confuserating...

Vampgirl

neilbond007 wrote: »

I had an disagreement with someone on here about this.
i've never been asked for the paper part in 25 odd US rentals. Whereas they are always asked.... all very confuserating...

I think it sometimes depends on the depot - I've only ever been asked for the counterpart at ones that are used a lot by British holiday makers - eg, near Sandford airport in Florida. When we hired cars elsewhere (eg. Atlanta) they didn't ask for the counterpart and when we offered it the guy just got very confused *lol*

I'd say that its always worth taking it just to be on the safe side - it is actually legally required (even if most people over there don't realise this!) and its not like it takes up all that much room.

sturll

neilbond007 wrote: »

I had an disagreement with someone on here about this.
i've never been asked for the paper part in 25 odd US rentals. Whereas they are always asked.... all very confuserating...

Its like a friend of mine, i have been stopped by the police 4 times and each time it has been a very casual, friendly encounter.
Not so for my friend - when he got stopped by the police they had guns on him and were screaming at him to get at the floor.........:rolleyes:

I think you see what im trying to get at here.

neilbond007

sturll wrote: »

Its like a friend of mine, i have been stopped by the police 4 times and each time it has been a very casual, friendly encounter.
Not so for my friend - when he got stopped by the police they had guns on him and were screaming at him to get at the floor.........:rolleyes:

I think you see what im trying to get at here.

that you're a bad driver?

art200380

what about if you are on the old UK style - i.e. just the paper copy?

I presume this is acceptable when renting a car in the US?

blindman

keava wrote: »

Hi folks
I was wondering if anyone would have advice on car hire in america?
We would need it for a week and be going from NYC to DC.
What do we need to present to hirethe car? Do you need both parts of the diving licence?
We have full uk with no points etc.
Any advice would be great
Thanks
K

Sort of off on a tangent but:

Do you actually need to drive from NYC to DC
Parking in DC is very expensive and the sights are easy to get to.

China Buses do the route very cheaply