Rental car keys and driver's license on a car dashboard, representing the driver's license scanning process by rental companies.
When you approach the rental car counter, handing over your driver’s license is a standard procedure. It’s a necessary step to get behind the wheel of your rental. But beyond verifying your identity and license validity, you might wonder: do rental car companies actually scan your driver’s license to check your driving record? The answer isn’t always straightforward, but it’s essential to understand what could happen and how it might affect your rental.
Why Rental Car Companies Might Scan Your Driver’s License
While not every rental car company scans your driver’s license to delve into your driving history, many do, or reserve the right to. There are a few key reasons behind this practice:
- Identity Verification and License Validity: The primary reason for checking your license is to confirm you are who you say you are and that your license is current and valid. This is a basic step for any car rental agreement.
- Risk Assessment: For some companies, checking your driving record is a way to assess risk. They want to minimize the chance of renting to drivers with a history of unsafe driving, which could lead to accidents, damage to their vehicles, and liability issues.
- Protecting Their Assets: Rental car companies own valuable assets – their vehicles. By screening drivers, they aim to protect these assets and reduce potential losses from accidents or irresponsible renters.
However, it’s important to note that policies vary significantly between rental companies, and even within the same company, depending on location and specific circumstances.
Which Rental Car Companies Are Likely to Scan?
Different rental car groups have different approaches to driver record checks. Here’s a breakdown based on publicly available information:
Avis Budget Group: Avis, Budget, and Payless
Companies under the Avis Budget Group, including Avis, Budget, and Payless, are known to be more proactive in driver record checks.
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Avis: Avis explicitly states they “may choose to run a driver record check.” They also list specific criteria that could disqualify a renter, including:
- License suspension, expiration, revocation, cancellation, or surrender.
- Reckless driving convictions within the last 36 months.
- DUI, DWI, or DWAI convictions within the past 48 months.
- Failure to report or leaving the scene of an accident within the last 36 months.
- Vehicle theft or using a vehicle in a crime.
- More than three moving violations in the last 24 months.
- More than three accidents within the last 36 months.
- Avis may also require renters to sign a document confirming they meet these criteria.
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Budget: Budget’s policy is similar to Avis, indicating they “may or will” run a driver record check. They also share similar disqualifying factors related to driving history.
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Payless: Payless also states they “may” run a driver record check and “may deny a rental car based on a negative driving record.” While less specific than Avis and Budget, the potential for a check is clearly there.
Hertz Global Holdings: Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty
Hertz, along with its subsidiaries Dollar and Thrifty, also have policies that allow for driver record checks.
- Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty: These companies have policies in place for driver record checks, but they are less transparent about the specific disqualifying criteria publicly. Historically, Hertz’s policy has been closely aligned with Avis’s, suggesting similar types of violations could be problematic. Invalid licenses, vehicular crimes, a high number of accidents, or numerous tickets are generally considered red flags.
Enterprise Holdings: Alamo, Enterprise, and National
Enterprise Holdings, which includes Alamo, Enterprise, and National, generally has a less stringent approach to driver record checks compared to Avis Budget Group and Hertz Global Holdings.
- Alamo, Enterprise, and National: Aside from restrictions related to ignition interlock devices (breathalyzers), these companies do not have publicly stated corporate policies detailing routine driver record checks. This suggests they are less likely to conduct these checks as a standard practice.
What Could Cause a Rental Car Denial?
Regardless of which company you choose, certain driving record issues are almost guaranteed to cause a rental car denial:
- License Restrictions Requiring an Ignition Interlock Device: Any requirement for a breathalyzer device on your license is a major red flag, indicating prior DUI offenses. This will likely result in denial across all major rental companies.
- Using a Fake ID: Attempting to use a fake driver’s license is a serious offense and will immediately disqualify you from renting.
- Suspended or Revoked License: An invalid license is an obvious reason for denial. Rental companies need to ensure every driver is legally allowed to operate a vehicle.
- Recent DUI/DWI Convictions: As mentioned in Avis’s policy, recent convictions (within the last 48 months for Avis) for driving under the influence are significant disqualifiers.
- Reckless Driving Convictions: A history of reckless driving, especially recent convictions (within the last 36 months for Avis), indicates risky behavior and can lead to denial.
- Multiple Moving Violations or Accidents: While the threshold varies, accumulating a high number of moving violations or accidents within a short period (e.g., 2-3 years) can be problematic, particularly with companies like Avis and Budget.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
For most drivers, a routine driver’s license scan will be a non-issue. However, if you have concerns about your driving record, here’s how to prepare:
- Know Your Driving Record: Be aware of your driving history. If you have recent violations or points on your license, it’s wise to understand the policies of different rental companies.
- Be Honest and Upfront: If asked about your driving history, be honest. Attempting to conceal information could lead to more significant problems.
- Consider Enterprise Holdings Companies: If you are concerned about a driver record check, renting from Alamo, Enterprise, or National might be a safer bet, as they are less likely to conduct routine checks.
- Ensure Your License is Valid: Double-check that your driver’s license is current and valid before attempting to rent a car.
In Conclusion
While the prospect of a driver’s license scan might sound concerning, for the vast majority of renters with clean or reasonably clean driving records, it’s not something to worry about. Rental car companies primarily use these checks as a risk management tool. By understanding which companies are more likely to conduct these checks and what factors might lead to a denial, you can be better prepared and ensure a smooth car rental experience. The most important thing is to drive responsibly and maintain a valid driver’s license.
