When a Rental Car Company Does a Driver Record Check - AutoSlash
Last Updated on August 1, 2026 byJonathanEvery rental car company maintains aDo Not Rentlist. Landing on that list gets you blackballed from renting from that company. Usually, a rental company puts a renter. . .
Last Updated on August 1, 2026 byJonathanEvery rental car company maintains aDo Not Rentlist. Landing on that list gets you blackballed from renting from that company. Usually, a rental company puts a renter on a Do Not Rent list after an unfortunate incident with a rental car. In addition, a checkered driver history can lead to big issues, and the subsequent exclusion may be permanent or temporary. Ask AutoSlash for a Quote on a Cheap Car RentalYou’ll provide your driver’s license at the start of the car rental process, primarily for identity verification and to ensure that your license is in good standing. But some rental car companies will also run a driver record check. Will You Pass the Car Rental Driver Record Check?Nothing requires a rental car company to run driver record checks, but there are two main schools of thought. On one hand, some companies use driver record checks as a proactive measure to block the riskiest drivers. Other companies don’t bother running driver checks so long as a driver presents a valid license. Your valid license generally absolves the rental car company from responsibility. Buy Collision Insurance For Less Than What You’ll Pay at the Rental CounterThe Good news? The vast majority of drivers will pass the driver record check. It wasn’t always that way. When a rental car company had to worry about lawsuits bankrupting the firm, as many as one in 10 drivers failed driver record checks. Nowadays, unless a driver is unaware of having a suspended license, surprises are rare. Still, a driver might be right to worry if he’s got so many points that his license is close to being revoked. There are two issues that will immediately cause a driver to be rejected without fail by every rental car company:A requirement on the license for an ignition interlock device, also known as a breathalyzer. These restrictions are a red flag that the driver is a repeat DUI offender. This would get you banned even fromcompanies that do not conduct driver record checks. Getting caught using a fake ID. Which Car Companies Run Checks?Avis Budget Group: Avis, Budget and PaylessAvismay choose to run a driver record check or have the renter sign a document attesting that Avis’s driver criteria are met. The website states that the renter must have:a valid license that is not currently suspended, expired, revoked, canceled or surrenderedno reckless driving convictions within the last 36 monthszero convictions for driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), or driving while alcohol impaired (DWAI) within the past 48 monthsno charges of failing to report or leave the scene of an accident within the last 36 monthsnever been in possession of a stolen vehicle or used a vehicle in a crimefewer than three convictions for moving violations (including seat belt violations) within the last 24 monthsfewer than three accidents within the last 36 monthsBudgettries to have it both ways, alternately stating that it may or will run a driver record check, with similar disqualifying activities as Avis. Let AutoSlash Track Your Car Rental for Price DropsPaylessmay run a driver record check and “may deny a rental car based on a negative driving record. ”Hertz Global Holdings: Hertz, Dollar and ThriftyThe three Hertz Global Holdings companies (Dollar,Hertz, andThrifty) have policies allowing driver record checks but they do not provide details about the disqualifying factors. Historically, Hertz’s policy closely mirrors Avis’s policy. Invalid licenses (for any reason), vehicular crimes, high numbers of accidents, or extensive tickets are the common no-go scenarios. Enterprise Holdings: Alamo, Enterprise and NationalAside from the breathalyzer restrictions, the three companies in this group don’t have explicit corporate policies for driver checks. How to Avoid a Driver Record CheckIn conclusion, a driver with a lot of points on his license should probably avoid the Avis Budget Group and rent from one of the Enterprise companies. If you have enough infractions on your record to be ineligible at Avis or Budget, consider buying theexpensive but comprehensive rental car insurance productsoffered by the rental car companies. Related:Why do Car Rental Companies do Credit Checks?How to Avoid Landing on a Rental Car Do Not Rent List