Quick Summary:
- Expect a quick document scan, plate check, and barrier release.
- Photograph all existing damage, wheels, glass, interior, and dashboard warnings.
- Ensure mileage, fuel level, date, time, and stall number are recorded.
- If no staff appear, use the app, photos, and call support.
When you collect a car hire at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the final step before you join the road is usually the exit booth inspection. It is the small checkpoint at the end of the car park lane, where a member of staff confirms you are leaving with the right vehicle and that the paperwork matches the car. It normally takes less than a minute, but what happens there matters because it can be your last easy opportunity to have existing issues acknowledged.
This guide explains what staff typically check at the booth, what you should record for your own protection, how to get existing damage noted properly, and what to do if the booth is unattended. The aim is not to slow you down, it is to help you leave the LAX facility with clear evidence of the car’s condition and the agreement details.
What the LAX exit booth inspection usually is
The exit booth is primarily an inventory and contract verification point. Staff are there to confirm the vehicle that is leaving matches a valid rental agreement, and to reduce errors like driving out in the wrong car or with an unactivated contract. Depending on the brand and time of day, the booth may be staffed by a person, replaced by an automated gate with a camera, or staffed intermittently.
If you arranged your car hire via Hola Car Rentals for LAX, you may see references to LAX options such as car hire Los Angeles LAX, or specific supplier pages like Avis car hire California LAX or Budget car hire California LAX. Regardless of supplier, the booth routine is broadly similar.
What staff typically check at the exit booth
In most cases, the exit attendant focuses on items that confirm identity, authorisation, and the vehicle’s basic status. Common checks include:
Rental agreement and authorised driver. They may scan your contract barcode, check the name, or confirm the vehicle class and dates. If the agreement is not fully opened in the system, they may direct you back to the counter.
Vehicle registration details. Staff commonly confirm the number plate, the vehicle identification number (VIN) or a fleet unit number, and that it matches the contract. Sometimes the system reads the plate automatically.
Mileage and fuel (basic). Some booths visually confirm the fuel gauge, or ask you to state the fuel level. Others record the odometer reading, especially if mileage tracking is strict for that vehicle.
Vehicle class or upgrade flags. If the system believes you collected a different category than contracted, the booth is where this mismatch can be caught. This is especially important if you were offered an alternative vehicle due to availability.
Time of departure. The system logs when the barrier opens, which becomes the effective start time for your rental in many setups.
Quick visual walk-by. Some attendants glance at the car’s exterior as it rolls forward. This is not a detailed inspection, and they may not notice minor scrapes. That is why your own records matter.
What you should record before you reach the booth
The most reliable approach is to record everything at the stall before you drive to the exit lane. By the time you reach the booth, you may be holding up a queue and may feel rushed. Build a simple, repeatable checklist that takes five to ten minutes.
1) Photos and video of the exterior. Take clear, well-lit shots of each side, plus front and rear. Then add close-ups of any marks you notice. Include:
Scratches, scuffs, dents, cracked trim, misaligned bumpers, and paint transfer. Do not forget the roof line if it is an SUV, the lower sills, and the area near the boot lid where luggage can cause marks.
2) Wheels, tyres, and windscreen. Wheel rash is easy to miss at first glance and is frequently disputed later. Photograph each wheel and tyre sidewall. Capture the windscreen, especially around the edges, plus mirrors and headlights for chips or cracks.
3) Interior condition. Take photos of seats, dashboard, door panels, and the boot area. If there are stains, tears, heavy odours, missing floor mats, child-seat marks, or a damaged parcel shelf, record it.
4) Dashboard at start-up. With the car on, photograph the instrument cluster showing the odometer and fuel level. If any warning lights are on (tyre pressure, engine, airbag, low washer fluid), capture them clearly.
5) Date, time, and location identifiers. Take at least one shot that proves when and where you recorded the car. Helpful details include the parking bay number, row marker, or any signage in the frame. If your phone camera embeds timestamps, keep originals.
6) Paperwork and options. Keep a screenshot or photo of your rental agreement summary, any add-ons, and the fuel policy shown on the document. This helps if there is later confusion about what you accepted at the desk.
How to get existing damage acknowledged properly
The key is making sure the supplier’s records match reality. Your photos are useful evidence, but having the condition report updated is even better.
Check the condition sheet or digital report. Many suppliers provide a printed damage diagram or a digital check-out record. Review it before leaving, and compare it to what you can see. If the diagram shows no damage but the car clearly has scrapes, do not assume it will be fine later.
Ask for the damage to be added before you exit. If you notice unrecorded damage, return to the kiosk or pick-up area where staff can update the report. The exit booth attendant may not be able to edit details, even if they agree it is pre-existing.
Use specific language. Instead of saying “there’s a scratch”, note precise locations and sizes, for example “rear bumper, passenger side corner scuff, about 10 cm” or “driver-side front wheel rash”. Clear descriptions reduce ambiguity.
Get a written or digital acknowledgement. Best case is an updated report or an email confirmation in the system. If that is not possible, ask the staff member to initial the paper diagram or provide a printed revision. If all you get is verbal reassurance, your photos become even more important.
Do not rely on booth visibility. A booth glance is not a proper inspection. If you discovered something meaningful, such as a dent, cracked lens, or torn upholstery, sort it out at the pick-up area before joining traffic.
What happens if the exit booth is unattended
At busy times, you may find a lane open but no attendant in the booth, or the barrier may lift automatically. If there is no one to speak to, you can still protect yourself with a clear record and a sensible escalation path.
1) Stop safely without blocking traffic. If there is a safe pull-in area near the exit lane, pause there to take any missing photos. Avoid stopping where you obstruct other vehicles or create a hazard.
2) Use the supplier’s app or kiosk tools. Many rental brands allow you to log damage through an app, sometimes with photo upload. If you can submit a “damage report at pick-up” immediately, do it. Keep confirmation screens.
3) Call the location directly. Use the phone number on your agreement. Tell them you are at LAX, the booth is unattended, and you want to report pre-existing damage at pick-up. Ask for the note to be added to your contract and request confirmation by email if available.
4) Email evidence to yourself. Send a short email to your own inbox with key photos attached and a summary, including date, time, vehicle make and model, number plate, and the damage locations. This creates a simple timestamped record.
5) Report again at the earliest staffed point. If you can safely loop back to the return area or customer service without significant disruption, do so. Otherwise, report as soon as you stop at your first destination.
Common booth outcomes and how to handle them
The attendant waves you through quickly. This is normal. Ensure you already have your photos, odometer, fuel, and contract details recorded. If you still need damage noted, ask whether they can update it, and if not, go back to the pick-up staff.
The system flags a mismatch. Sometimes the plate or unit number does not match the agreement, especially if you switched cars in the lot. Do not try to “solve it later”. Return immediately for correction, as this can become a billing and liability issue if the wrong vehicle is attached to your contract.
You are asked about fuel policy. Confirm what your paperwork states. If you are on a full-to-full arrangement, photograph the fuel gauge while still on the lot. Fuel can drop quickly in slow airport traffic, so documenting the starting level is helpful.
You notice a warning light on the dash. If it is safety-related, such as airbag, brakes, overheating, or major engine warning, return to exchange the vehicle. Photograph the warning light, and note the time you observed it.
What to do if you find damage after you have left
Sometimes you only spot a scuff or cracked trim once you reach better light. If you are already off the LAX property, act promptly.
Document it immediately. Take photos and a short video in good light, including the number plate and an overall shot of the vehicle.
Contact the supplier right away. Call the location or the general customer support line shown on your agreement. Ask them to note “damage found immediately after pick-up” with your contract number and time.
Do not attempt repairs. Even minor fixes can create disputes. Let the supplier handle any assessment.
Why this matters for car hire at LAX
LAX is a high-volume environment. Vehicles turn around quickly, staff rotate shifts, and lighting in car parks can make small issues hard to see. A careful, consistent record protects you from being linked to pre-existing wear, and it also helps you avoid practical problems, like starting a road trip with a low tyre or a warning light you did not notice.
If you are comparing different California airport locations, the same approach applies at Orange County airports too, for example car hire airport Santa Ana SNA. The key habits are universal: document first, confirm what the supplier has recorded, and keep evidence with your agreement.
Mini checklist you can screenshot before you drive out
Before moving the car: photograph all sides, wheels, glass, interior, dash warnings, fuel, and odometer.
On the paperwork: confirm vehicle class, dates, driver name, fuel policy, and any add-ons.
If damage exists: get it added to the condition report, or logged via app, with confirmation.
At the booth: ensure contract matches plate or unit number, then keep your records.
FAQ
What exactly is the exit booth inspection at LAX? It is a final checkpoint where staff or an automated system matches your car hire agreement to the vehicle leaving, often recording the departure time and sometimes mileage or fuel.
Do exit booth staff check for damage in detail? Usually no. They may take a quick look, but it is not a full condition inspection. Your own photos and an updated condition report are the safest protection.
What should I record before I drive out? Record exterior photos, close-ups of any damage, wheels and windscreen, interior condition, dashboard warnings, fuel gauge, odometer, plus date, time, and bay location.
What if the booth is empty and the barrier opens automatically? Take photos immediately, then report any pre-existing damage via the supplier app or by calling the location using the number on your agreement, and keep written proof.
What if I realise later that I drove out in the wrong vehicle? Contact the rental location immediately and return if instructed. A mismatch between the agreement and the car can create insurance and billing issues if not corrected quickly.
