Rent a car in Washington

Car rental in Washington DC

Traveling by car in America is very popular among both tourists and locals. And if the latter most often go on a road trip in their own car, then the guests of the country are rescued by rental companies. Below we will analyze how a car rental in Washington is actually arranged, tell you about the nuances and features of a car rental in the capital, and also help you avoid all possible pitfalls, even if you are planning a trip on a rental car for the first time.

Car rental: basic rules

First, consider the general rules for everyone who wants to rent a “wheelbarrow”.

To carry out the transaction, you must be in the country legally, that is, you must have a passport with a valid United States visa. You will also need an international driver's license, and a credit card (attention! Not a debit, but a credit card) to pay the deposit already when signing the contract at the agency's office.

Car rental will be available to a driver over 23 years old (some companies allow 21 years old, but this is rather an exception). It happens that car rental companies set a "young driver" fee for certain age categories of the driver. It is important to clarify this when booking. Driving experience is also very important and should be at least 2 years, and for some premium models - from 3 years.

When you rent a car in Washington DC, the following is included in the price by default:

• SLI insurance. This is the base option. If you wish, you can pay for extended insurance, which is highly recommended. It's called SLI + CDW, and may or may not be franchised. The “no deductible” option is the most expensive, but in this case you will not have to pay for any damage.
• Mileage. Car rental can be issued both with unlimited mileage and with restrictions. This point must be specified when booking. Important! You receive a car with a full tank, in the same form you will have to return it, that is, the cost of refueling falls on you. You can choose not to fill the tank before returning, but you will be charged the cost of fuel at prices higher than at a gas station.
• GPS navigator. Most often, it is provided free of charge, but some car rental companies in Washington will ask for an additional fee. Think in advance whether you need it or whether navigation on your phone will be enough.

For an additional fee, you will be offered a toll device, a child car seat or booster, the ability to transfer the steering wheel to another driver, as well as the ability to return the car in another city.

Where to start when renting a car?

So, you have decided to travel, and now you need to book a vehicle. What are your actions?

It will be great if you plan your trip in advance, because booking a car for rent a few months in advance, you can save a lot. In addition, if you contact the rental agency already upon arrival, the desired option with the necessary additional options may simply not be there. And another plus of early booking. Even if the agency does not have the car you ordered, you will be offered another option, often a higher class. Profit!

Let's move on to choosing a vehicle. In America, you can rent literally any car, from an electric car to a spacious SUV. It all depends on your needs and of course your budget. There are hundreds of offers, and it is difficult to navigate them. We advise you to use the Rentservice24.com service for quick and convenient selection of the desired option.

When you have already chosen a car for rent, immediately think about what additional options you will need. We wrote about them above. Of course, they don't have to be booked now, but what is the guarantee that the car seat will be available at your agency's office when you come to them without prior reservation?

Car rental in Washington has an important feature - you need to return the car at a strictly agreed time. You will be forgiven for a few minutes of being late, but additional money will be withdrawn for a delay of more than an hour. Also remember, if you decide to extend the lease term, you need to do it not at the last moment. Car rental policies in Washington state that you must contact the car rental company and discuss the possibility of extending the rental period of the car at least three days before the end of the reservation.

Car rental in Washington - driving and parking rules

Each state has its own nuances in the rules of the road, but there are also restrictions that are common to all:

• Drunk driving is prohibited. For young drivers, even the minimum blood alcohol content is unacceptable.
• It is forbidden to use a mobile phone while driving (not in all states, to be specified).
• The need to use car seats for preschool children. Different states have different requirements, so if your car is rented in Washington and you plan to drive it out of state, ask them about the traffic rules in advance.
• Dipped headlights must be on around the clock, at any time of the year.
• All passengers and the driver must wear seat belts.

If your car is rented in Washington DC, it is important to remember that the District of Columbia has speed limits on city highways. Speed ​​limits vary from state to state, please be aware of this.

Washington is in the TOP 9 cities in America with the most expensive parking. You can park for free only at supermarkets or restaurants, and even then not everywhere. To make your car rental in Washington DC pleasant and hassle-free, it is also important to study the parking rules. In general, they are simple. You can not block traffic, leave the car on the railway tracks, on bridges, in tunnels. It is also prohibited to park at red curbs, at fire hydrants and under the “No Parking” sign.

Fines in the US are quite high, so to avoid trouble, we strongly recommend that you study our recommendations on how to behave on the roads.

Well, in general, car rental in Washington is not difficult, and if you know and follow all the rules, your trip will be easy and pleasant.