Once you hit age 16, so many people are excited to get their driver’s license and experience the freedom of the open road. Driving yourself around gives you a new sense of independence which can be exciting for a lot of young people. However, driving also comes with a lot of responsibility. Operating a motor vehicle can also be a dangerous activity when you aren’t fully focused. This is why it’s such a strict law that you shouldn’t drive when under the influence of any drugs or alcohol. This is also why rental car companies are very specific about who they will take reservations from.
If you are traveling or looking to rent a car for any reason, you should be aware that these rental companies will look into your driving history before offering you a car rental. If you have a past history of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, you may have a harder road to renting a car. Let’s take a look at some of the specifics when it comes to renting a car with a DUI on your record.
When might you need to rent a car?
There are plenty of different reasons people may need to rent a car. One of the big ones is when you’re going away on vacation. Once you land at the airport, you want to be able to travel on your own without relying on public transportation or friends and family picking you up. You can often even sign up for your car hire when you book your flight and your hotel. American Hotels offers you the best deals for car hire companies that have great selections and easy reservation systems. This will allow you to quickly pick up your car from any of the top brands right when you get where you’re going. Enjoy a streamlined rental service that helps you get the right choice at a great price for your rental car, no matter the purpose. Now, you just need to be sure you have a clean record to get a rental.
What exactly is a DUI?
DUI stands for Driving Under the Influence and it is a permanent mark on your driving record. Many states have similar laws and distinctions for what constitutes a DUI. A DUI in Florida, for example, is when you’re operating a vehicle while displaying impairment of regular functions or you have a blood-alcohol level of higher than 0.08%. In these instances, you won’t be able to get your DUI wiped from your record. This will be something that you’ll carry with you for rental deals, car insurance, and other automotive transactions throughout your life.
Most rental car companies won’t let you rent with a DUI.
So, can you rent a car if you have a DUI? The short answer is “no.” Most car rental companies have the right to refuse service to anyone and they often will refuse to rent to individuals with this mark on their record. Now, sometimes time will factor into it, so if you had a DUI from four or five years in the past, some companies may let you rent with a bit on an additional cost.
There are other options if you can’t rent a car
If you are unable to rent a car due to a DUI, there are still plenty of options to help you get where you’re going. You can always utilize public transportation in a city you’re traveling to or take advantage of rideshare apps like Uber or Lift. For longer journeys consider buying a train or plane ticket to get where you’re going rather than driving. There are creative ways to still travel in style even if you can’t rent a car.
