Renting a Car Without a Credit Card: Using a Debit Card Made Easy

Many travelers choose not to use credit cards, whether for personal reasons or lack of access. So the question arises: can you rent a vehicle with a debit card? Wondering how to hire a car without a credit card? The short answer is yes, you can rent a car with a debit card. However, it is important to know some key nuances and requirements that rental companies may have.

Renting a Vehicle with a Debit Card: What You Need to Know

Renting with a debit card often involves a deposit, additional ID verification, or a credit check. Vehicle choices are usually limited to smaller classes such as economy or compact, and some companies don’t allow rentals for drivers under a specific age.

Don’t confuse debit cards with prepaid cards. Prepaid cards come with a fixed balance and aren’t tied to a bank account, while debit cards are linked to your account and use your actual funds. Prepaid cards are sometimes accepted by car rental companies, but usually only when returning the car, not when picking it up.

How to Hire a Car Without a Credit Card

1. Choose a rental company that accepts debit cards, such as WayRent, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, or National.
2. Have your ID and driver’s license ready. If you are under 25 and paying with a debit card, some companies may ask you to pay a young driver fee.
3. Check the terms of the deposit and hold. This is standard company practice. The hold on a debit card can be between $200 and $500.
4. Be prepared for a credit check because the company needs to know whether to lend you a car or not.

Extra Requirements When Using a Debit Card

The rules for renting a car with a debit card vary by company and location. For instance, Enterprise requires debit card users to pay a deposit ranging from $200 to $850 at the time of rental to cover potential costs outlined in the rental agreement.

In the U.S., you can usually rent a car starting at age 21— though a young driver surcharge may apply. However, some companies require drivers to be at least 25 when paying with a debit card. There are also rental companies that prohibit debit card users from driving a rental car out of state and that limit the types of vehicles they can rent.

Tips for Renting with a Debit Card

• Check the company’s policies before booking to be aware of requirements and restrictions.
• Book early to have more car options to choose from.
• Make sure your debit card is personalized and features a Visa or Mastercard logo.
• Provide the necessary documents: a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Get full insurance — this increases the chances of rental approval.

Please check the booking details carefully, including rental period, vehicle type and payment information, before signing the contract.

Pros and Cons of Renting with a Debit Card

Conclusion

Looking to skip the credit card? Renting a car with a debit card is simple. Book through WayRent and take advantage of our flexible payment methods now!