Now is the best time to go on a road trip in the United States. You can just rent a car and drive along the roads see the natural beauty of the US and do several exciting activities. But what if you are a not a US citizen and belong to a foreign country? You might as well consider some things before you rent a car in the US!! You must ask yourself what are the requirements to rent a car in the US for a foreign national? So here are some factors that you should consider if you are a foreign national and going to rent a car in the US.
Driver’s License
You must have a driving license if you are going to rent a car in the US as a foreign national. Having a driver’s license in your country is not enough, though. You should have an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mostly required and accepted in most US states. But before doing that you should check out the regulations and rules regarding car rentals of the state department in which you are planning to rent a car.
Passport and Credit Card
You should carry your passport and credit card along with your driver’s license if you are going to rent a car as a foreign national in the US. This is almost a standard requirement that rental companies ask for when renting a car to a foreign national in the US. The driver’s license, passport, and credit card are proof of your identity as a foreign national in the US.
Car insurance
You should consider buying car insurance if you are renting a car in the US as a foreign national. Most car rental companies in the US offer car insurance with an additional fee. When you have a credit card you also get car insurance along with the many benefits of being a credit card member. Third parties also offer car insurance and you can consider this option too, if the car rental company does not have that service.
Contract
You can save yourself from a lot of surprises if you read the car renting contract thoroughly. Quite often, the terms and conditions of renting a car in the US are different for a foreign national. You must not take the contact for granted and assume it to be the same in each state of the US.
State-specific requirements
Each of the 50 states in the United States has its own sets of regulations and rules when it comes to offering cars on rent to foreign nationals. Some like the minimum age requirement, driver’s license, insurance coverage, and additional fees are some factors that may differ from state to state. As a foreign national, you should brush up your knowledge and go through the regulations of renting a car in the particular state you are going to drive your car.
Vehicle types
Rental companies in the United States may have different terms and conditions for different vehicle types. RV or a camper van, for example, may require that you, as a foreign national, should have an International Driving Permit. You should also furnish a valid passport, insurance cover, and credit card for documentation purposes. You should check the requirements of the rental company for the vehicle you are going to rent before you go about renting that vehicle.
Duration of renting a car
Generally, you can rent a car in the US as a foreign national and drive for up to three months. But you should contact the motor vehicle department of that particular state in the US if you are going to rent a car for a longer period. You may also have to pass the written test or the driving test.
Discounts
Going online to rent a car on rent is a good idea as you can avail of discounts and offers. Renting a car online has its benefits as you can also compare the car rental rates and vehicle types, seating options, insurance cover, and other features.
One-way trip or round trip
While you book a car to rent, you have to consider whether you want to go on a one-way trip or come back to the pickup point for a round trip. In a one-way trip, you can choose a different drop-off location. It may prove to be a more affordable option. Round trip is convenient as you do not have to worry about choosing another car rental.
Conclusion
The above were some of the requirements to rent a car in the US for a foreign national. If you are a foreign national and are considering booking a car on a rental basis in the US, then the above points will act as a guide. Thousands of car rental companies in the US are offering cars, camper vans, and RVs for rent. You can book one for road trips, one-way trips, round trips, city sightseeing, and other purposes.
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