Driving License

Non-US drivers do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP), though you may need to have a translation of your driver's license into English if it is not in English, and an IDP accomplishes that for you.

An IDP by itself, without a valid government-issued driver's license, is not sufficient to rent a car or to drive legally in the USA.

Credit Cards

Though a credit card is not required, it is almost a necessity. Without a credit card you must leave a sizable cash deposit, perhaps $100 per day for the estimated length of the rental, or perhaps a flat $2000 or more as security deposit.

Car Rental Rates

Rental rates vary among companies. The well-known international companies with car rental desks right in the major airports tend to be more expensive than the small local agencies, though standards of service vary among the small agencies. Moderate-sized agencies with airport shuttle buses to take you to their "off-airport" locations are often good bets: not as convenient, but perhaps cheaper.

Cheapest rates are for the smallest cars, rented on "weekends" (Thursday noon through Monday noon), or for an entire week or more with unlimited mileage, and returned to the place of rental, or at least to the city of rental.

Fuel

Always return a rental car to the agency with as much gas in it as when the rental began (usually a full tank). Agencies will charge you if they must refuel the car, and most charge high prices at their pumps.

Insurance

Among the high charges for car rental are those for insurance. The so-called Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver can cost from $14 to $22 or more per day.

If your own auto insurance covers damage to a rental car, you needn't waste money on CDW or LDW; check with your auto insurance agent to be sure. Otherwise, if you have a credit card with car rental insurance coverage, it may provide coverage for any rental car rented with the card. Check your credit card agreement to see what coverage is provided.

In Case of Damage to the Car...

In case of damage, rental car companies may require not only that you pay for repairs, but that you pay normal rental fees for all the time that the rental car is out of commission for repairs. These "loss-of-use" fees may be covered by your credit card or your own auto insurance—check to be sure.

Local Car Rental Companies

Besides the large national companies there are many small, local car rental companies in each New England city. Many of these small companies specialize in renting cars to local people whose cars have been damaged or stolen, and who are waiting for their insurance companies to process their claims, but they also rent to vacationers and business travelers. Though they do not have the national companies' far-flung systems of agents, these local companies often provide good local service at excellent rates.

Most offer free delivery and pickup at the airport or at a hotel, unlimited mileage, and good late-model cars. Since New England is not a large region, you may not be too far from the rental agency if a problem arises.

---

Driving to New England Driving Laws Auto Fuel Costs Car Rental Travel by Bus in New England Travel by Train in New England Travel by Plane in New England New England Transportation