When you rent a car, you probably just assume that the paperwork is in order. But surprisingly, some travelers have reported getting pulled over for having an expired license plate on their rental car.
While it’s rare, it does happen. A Las Vegas Fox News affiliate reported that a man was ticketed in Hawaii when his Ace Rent A Car vehicle had expired paperwork.
Here’s what to do to avoid driving away in a rental car with an expired license plate. And what to do if it ever happens to you.
Check Your Rental Car’s Tags Before Getting in the Car
It’s always a good idea to check your rental car’s condition before driving off the lot.
When you pick up your car, take a few minutes to look over the car before driving away. Get out your smartphone. If your camera has a timestamp function, turn that on. Take pictures of every dent, ding, and scratch on the vehicle’s exterior and interior. Take photos of the wheels and the windshield. No pucker, crack or scratch is too small to document. If you ever need to file a damage claim, you’ll thank yourself.
Considering the scenarios mentioned above, we also recommend checking your rental car’s tags as part of this process. Ensure that the rental car’s license plate has visible tags that will be valid for the duration of your trip. If not, don’t hesitate to point this out to the agent and ask for another car.
What Happens if Your Rental Car Has Expired Tags?
In most U.S. states, driving or parking a car with expired tags is illegal. Having expired tags on a rental car could lead to a fine, misdemeanor charge or both. Whether a police officer will pull you over and give you a fine depends on the specific situation. For example, an ABC news station in Virginia reported that a new law keeps police from pulling over drivers within four months after the expiration date. But many other states are not as forgiving. For example, North Carolina might hit you with a misdemeanor charge.
What To Do If You Get Ticketed for Expired Tags
If you get pulled over or ticketed for having expired tags on your rental car, the first step is to take a deep breath and stay calm. If a police officer is present, explain that you are driving a rental car and therefore not in charge of keeping that vehicle’s registration up to date. This may be enough to get you off the hook with a warning. However, you may find a ticket on your parked rental car. In that case would be expected to pay the fine. In either scenario, let the rental car company know immediately that your car’s tags are expired and insist that it take responsibility.
The rental car company should step in on your behalf, based on past situations. In the Hawaii incident, Ace offered to go to court on behalf of the customer. And a 2011 news story detailed how Hertz cleared up charges after a technical glitch originally left a customer with the bill.
So, always check a rental car to make sure its tags are up to date. And if you get pulled over for expired tags, make sure to notify the rental car company so it can solve the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you require a car to travel around Europe?
The best solution to your problem depends on where you live, what you do and how you think. A typical European town might have different priorities than a rural location.
Consider how long you intend to stay in each place. If you’re planning to move around frequently, then an economical car may not suit you as well as if you are going to settle in one place for a while.
Renting a car is usually more affordable than buying a second-hand vehicle. Renting a car in Europe can be more expensive than buying a second-hand vehicle. There are many reasons for this. For example, you can save money on fuel and parking fees, maintenance costs and insurance.
Another benefit is that the car can be driven safely.
Many websites provide information about renting a car in Europe. Our recommendations are below.
Which countries are willing to accept US drivers licenses?
The United States does NOT recognize driver’s licenses from other countries as valid on its roads. However, Canada, Mexico, and the District of Columbia recognize them.
Canada recognizes American driver licenses issued by all 50 United States and District of Columbia.
Mexico also recognizes American driver’s permits, but they are only recognized in Chihuahua.
The District of Columbia will accept driver’s licenses of all 50 US states, except Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, West Virginia, and Texas.
Which is the biggest car rental company worldwide?
Hertz Corporation is America’s largest car rental agency. Harry Hertz founded Hertz Corporation in 1919.
Hertz Corporation has more than 6,000 locations around North America and Europe. Hertz Corporation also owns other businesses like hotels, financial service providers, and automotive parts manufacturing.
The company employs nearly 4 million people worldwide today.
Statistics
- The perks vary from partner to partner, but you can expect discounts of up to 35 percent on some rentals and the ability to earn anywhere from 50 bonus American AAdvantage miles per day or 500 per rental. (afar.com)
- Automatics are more expensive (usually about 50 percent more) and may only be available if you upgrade to a bigger, pricier car. (ricksteves.com)
- If you’re a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
- American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
- Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
External Links
autoslash.com
alamo.com
avis.com
sixt.com
How To
How to report a rental-car accident
You can get into an accident while driving in a rental vehicle. You could get into an accident, your luggage might get stolen, or even worse, someone gets injured! If this happens, you’ll want to know how to file a claim against the insurance company so that you don’t lose any money because of what happened.
The United States requires that any accident involving a car should be reported immediately. The police will then be able to document the details of the accident and notify you about their investigation results. They will then either issue you a ticket or make a note of the incident at the scene. Then, they’ll file a lawsuit against your driver’s license.
After being in an accident, it is important to immediately call 911. A dispatcher will ask the basic questions and determine if anyone was injured. After answering basic questions, a dispatcher will let you know where to go or who to call next. In most cases, the first thing you’ll do when dealing with an accident is to exchange contact information with the other party. The other party will likely give you the number and name of their contact information. Next, ensure everyone is well. You will try to assist anyone who is disabled or injured.
Even if someone was not hurt, it’s important to record everything. You should record the time, place, weather conditions, road conditions and type of collision. Also, make sure to note names of those involved. You should seek medical attention if anyone has been injured. Also, you’ll want to keep track of your damages, including damage to your vehicle and the other party’s vehicle.
After that, you will need to follow up with the insurer. You will first need to fill out an online claim form. Your insurance provider may offer to pay the initial deductible amount before you receive the remainder of the claim. After the claim has been paid, both you and the other driver will need to sign a release agreement. The insurer will send you a check.
Once you have filed your claim, it’s important that you follow all guidelines set forth by your insurer. For example, if your insurance policy allows you to use another car or have someone drive your rental car, adhere to these rules.
