Curious what is needed to rent a car and get on the road? Stop wondering! We’ve made it easy for you with this convenient table. Find additional details with the links in the right column, or read the complete requirements below the table.

What is required to rent a car?

Avis requires that each customer and additional driver meet the Avis minimum age requirements, present a valid driver's license, have an acceptable driving record, and present an Avis-honored charge card or cash rental qualification. All requirements must be met at the time of rental.

Acceptable Driver’s Licenses

The driver's license must be valid at the time of rental and remain valid throughout the rental period. All drivers must meet Avis's requirements. 

Driver's licenses accepted in the U.S. are:

• Any license issued by a U.S. state, territory, or possession.

• 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.

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. 

Driving Record Requirements

At the time of rental, the renter, authorized driver, or additional driver may be subject to an electronic DMV check from the state that issued the driver’s license or may be required 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 an accident or left 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.

   

International Rentals

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. 

Avis may also require that renters outside of their home country and renters with a foreign driver’s license (other than a U.S. or Canadian driver’s license) present a valid passport or a secondary form of identification at the time of checkout. The name on the passport must match the name displayed on the driver’s license.  

Acceptable Secondary Identification

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 on the passport or military ID 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.

• A current copy (within the last 60 days) of your cellphone bill, home telephone bill, bank statement, or utility bill that 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.

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

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

• A valid US passport or current U.S. military identification card. The name on the passport or military ID must match the name on the U.S.-issued driver's license.

Forms of accepted identification may vary by rental location. Review the Terms and Conditions for your pickup location before you arrive to begin your rental period. You may also wish to contact your pickup location to confirm that the forms of ID listed above are accepted at that specific location.

Canadian Citizens Renting in the U.S.

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.