Requirements for Renting FAQ | Avis Rent a Car
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Avis requires that each customer and additional driver meet the Avis minimum age requirement, present a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record, and present an Avis-honored charge card or cash rental qualification at the time of rental.

The driver's license must be valid at the time of rental, and remain valid throughout the rental period. All drivers must meet Avis' requirements. Driver's licenses accepted in the U.S. are:

  • Any license issued by any U.S. state, territory or possession. (See Acceptable Driver’s License for details Learn which forms of ID and payment are required for renting)
  • A license issued by a Canadian province.
  • A license issued by a country that participated in the 1949 Geneva convention on Road Traffic or the 1943 Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Automobile Traffic.
  • A license issued by a country that has a reciprocal agreement with the U.S.

Avis does not accept digital driver’s licenses for rental.  Please bring a hard copy of your drivers licensee at the time of rental. If you intend to rent outside your home country, you may also be required to present an International Driver's Permit. International Driver's Permits are valid only if presented with the original local license. An International Driver's Permit it not acceptable by itself. In addition, at the time of rental, the renter, authorized driver or additional driver may be subject to an electronic DMV check or may be required to sign a declaration attesting that they have a valid license that is not currently suspended, revoked, expired, cancelled or surrendered. A temporary driver's license is acceptable only if it has no restrictions and is valid for the entire period of the rental. Individuals with learner's permits may not operate Avis vehicles.  Additionally, if you intend to rent outside of your home country, Avis may require that you present a valid passport, as  secondary form of identification at the time of your check-out.

At the time of rental, the renter or authorized driver may be subject to an electronic DMV check from the state that issued the driver's license, or may be asked to sign a declaration attesting to specific criteria:

  • The renter/authorized driver has a valid license that is not currently suspended, expired, revoked, canceled or surrendered.
  • The renter/authorized driver has not, within the last 36 months, had 1 or more convictions for reckless driving.
  • The renter/authorized driver has not, within the last 48 months, had 1 or more convictions for driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), or driving while alcohol impaired (DWAI).
  • The renter/authorized driver has not, within the last 36 months, failed to report or leave the scene of an accident.
  • The renter/authorized driver has never been in possession of a stolen vehicle or used a vehicle in a crime.
  • The renter/authorized driver has not, within the last 24 months, had 3 or more convictions for moving violations (including seat belt violations).
  • The renter/authorized driver has not, within the last 36 months, had 3 or more accidents.

When renting at an Avis airport location, commonly accepted forms of identification include:

  • A round-trip airline ticket, e-ticket, or travel itinerary to or from the airport of rental, disclosing a return date and showing the renter's name
  • A valid U.S. passport or current U.S. military identification card. The name must match the name on the renter's U.S.-issued driver's license
  • A current vehicle insurance card. The name and address must match the name and address on the renter's driver's license; OR a current copy (within the last 60 days) of your cellphone bill, home telephone bill, bank statement or utility bill which shows your name and current address. Your name and address must match the U.S.-issued driver's license in order to provide the renting location with proof of an accurate address.
  • Canadian citizens entering the U.S. by air must present a valid driver’s license and passport.
  • Canadian citizens entering the U.S. by car, train, bus or ship may present an enhanced Canadian license instead of a passport.  Enhanced licenses contain the words: enhanced or permis de conduire plus
  • Customer with a foreign driver’s license (other than a U.S. or Canadian driver’s license) may be required to also present a valid passport as a secondary form of identification at the time of check out. The name on the passport must match to the name displayed on the foreign driver’s license.  

Commonly accepted forms of identification when renting at an Off-Airport location:

  • A current copy (within the last 60 days) of your cellular phone bill, home telephone bill, bank statement or utility bill which shows your name and current address. Your name and address must match your U.S. issues driver's license in order to provide the renting location with proof of an accurate address; OR a valid U.S. passport or current U.S. military identification card. Your name must match the name on the your U.S.-issued driver's license.

Forms of identification accepted may vary by rental location. You may wish to contact your pick-up location to confirm that the forms listed above are accepted at that specific location.

You may be subject to a credit check or present additional identification.  Acceptable forms of additional identification are:  Valid passport or travel visa, military identification, birth certificate, marriage license, ATM card with customer name printed on face of card, health care identification card with customer’s name printed on face of card or company/college/university identification with a photograph.  In some cases, you may be required to present an alternate credit card.

Avis accepts most major credit cards and charge cards, as well as Visa and Mastercard debit cards, as a form of payment at most U.S. locations. Learn the details of our payment and credit identification policy.

Avis rents vehicles to individuals who are 25 or older. A surcharge applies to qualified renters between 18 and 24. Read our full age requirement policy.

What to Bring for Car Rental Pickup

To pick up a rental car, you need a valid form of identification (usually a driver’s license) and a form of payment (usually a credit card). Learn which forms of ID and payment are required for renting.

Avis requires renters to have a driving record free from recent, serious moving violations and accidents. Read the details of our driving record policy for more information.

Florida Only:  Certain, limited out-of-state licenses are not, pursuant to state law, recognized by the State of Florida to drive a vehicle on public roads.  These licenses are not valid for identification purposes and will have a statement similar to:

o             Not For Federal Identification

o             Driving Privilege Only

o             Not Valid for Identification

This policy applies to any state that issues this type of driver’s license, including Connecticut & Delaware.