Car Rental
District of Columbia

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car rental brands operating in District of Columbia, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes benefits that no other company can match:

• Free liability coverage starting at US$ 300,000 in case of an accident (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your rental period
• Premium travel medical assistance providing up to US$ 150,000 in coverage for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of a medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this comes at no extra cost, ensuring a fully protected rental experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in District of Columbia.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in District of Columbia are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in District of Columbia charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the rental partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

Pickup at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the closest airport to the District of Columbia, depends on which rental brand you booked.

Most brands operate from the consolidated Rental Car Center located in Terminal Garage A. From baggage claim, follow the Ground Transportation and Rental Car Shuttles signs. If you arrive at Terminal 1, go to the curb shuttle stop. If you arrive at Terminal 2, exit through doors 4 or 5 to the outer curb. Complimentary dedicated shuttles run continuously to Garage A, where you complete paperwork at the counter and walk to your vehicle in the garage.

Some brands, including Budget and Avis, operate off-airport facilities and run their own branded shuttles. Do not board a generic airport bus for these providers.

Sixt offers an alternative: a roughly 5-minute walk from the terminals to Garage A Level 1. If you hold a QR code reservation, proceed to Level 2.

Counter hours at DCA typically start between 5 AM and 7 AM. There are no 24-hour counters, so plan your arrival accordingly. After-hours pickup is limited or unavailable without prior arrangement at most locations serving the District of Columbia.

No, the District of Columbia itself has no toll roads within its boundaries. You will not encounter any tolls while driving exclusively inside the District of Columbia.

However, if your trip takes you into neighboring Maryland or Virginia, tolls apply on several major routes. All toll facilities in the DC metro area use cashless, all-electronic tolling. There are no cash booths. Cameras photograph license plates and charges are billed through a transponder, a rental company toll program, or a video toll invoice.

Common toll routes near the District of Columbia include:

• Wilson Bridge (I-95/I-495) crossing between Maryland and Virginia: approximately US$6 to US$8 per crossing
• 495 Express Lanes on the Virginia side of the Beltway: US$4 to US$20 dynamically priced per segment during peak hours
• Dulles Toll Road to or from Dulles International Airport: approximately US$5.75 to US$6.25 one way
• I-95 Express Lanes toward Baltimore: approximately US$8 to US$15 total

E-ZPass is the primary interoperable electronic toll system across the Mid-Atlantic region. Your rental vehicle comes pre-equipped for electronic tolling. At pickup you can enroll in an unlimited toll package (approximately US$11 to US$25 per day) or pay per use, where the rental company bills actual tolls plus a daily processing fee of approximately US$4.95 to US$5.35.

To collect your rental car in the District of Columbia, bring the following physical documents to the counter:

• Your original, unexpired driver's license in the main driver's name
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the physical card, used for the security deposit hold
• A valid passport or government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from outside the United States)

If your driver's license is not in English and not issued by an EU or EEA country, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended. An IDP is mandatory if your license uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original license.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at rental counters in the District of Columbia or anywhere else in the United States.

Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit hold, even if you prepaid your booking online. Bring a major credit card with sufficient available credit to cover the hold, which is typically US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles in the United States.

Yes, all bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your rental, including any tolls incurred on routes near the District of Columbia such as the Wilson Bridge, the 495 Express Lanes, or the Dulles Toll Road.

Because the District of Columbia itself has no toll roads, this benefit applies when you drive into Maryland or Virginia on toll-bearing highways during your rental period.

To claim your cashback, email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle. Include:

• Your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation
• A copy of the rental agreement signed at pickup
• A receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid (toll provider invoice, final rental invoice with itemized toll line, or transponder statement)

The refund is processed to the same payment method used for your original booking and typically takes 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your rate. You still pay tolls normally through the rental company's toll program or directly, and Hola Car Rentals reimburses you afterward up to the 5% cap.

Speed limits in the District of Columbia are significantly lower than in neighboring Maryland and Virginia, and enforcement is strict.

Most local streets in the District of Columbia have a default speed limit of 20 mph, reduced from the previous 25 mph standard as part of the district's Vision Zero safety initiative. The District of Columbia enforces an absolute speed limit law, meaning any speed above the posted limit is technically a violation.

Fines for speeding in the District of Columbia are structured as follows:

• Up to 10 mph over the limit: US$100
• 11 to 15 mph over: US$150
• 16 to 20 mph over: US$200
• 21 to 25 mph over: US$300 with potential license points
• 26 mph or more over: US$500, possible license suspension, and a potential reckless driving charge

The District of Columbia operates 547 automated speed cameras across the district. These cameras issue citations when a driver exceeds the posted limit by at least 10 mph. This level of automated enforcement is more extensive than in most neighboring jurisdictions.

Speed camera fines are typically billed to the renter by the rental company after the rental ends, often with an additional administrative processing fee. Budget for these costs if you plan to drive in the District of Columbia.

No, left turns on red are expressly prohibited throughout the District of Columbia. This is one of the most important traffic rules to know before driving a rental car in the District of Columbia.

This differs from neighboring states. In Maryland and Virginia, left turns on red are generally permitted onto one-way streets under specific conditions. Drivers accustomed to those rules may instinctively attempt a left turn on red in the District of Columbia and risk a traffic violation.

Other notable driving rules in the District of Columbia that differ from surrounding states include:

• Handheld electronic devices are prohibited while driving under the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act. This includes holding a phone, texting, watching videos, or taking pictures. Hands-free use only is permitted.
• Daylighting laws prohibit parking within specific distances of crosswalks to improve pedestrian visibility. This affects where you can legally stop near intersections.
• The default speed limit on most local streets is 20 mph, lower than typical limits in Maryland and Virginia.

Traffic violations incurred during your rental in the District of Columbia are typically billed to the renter by the rental company after the rental ends, along with an administrative processing fee. Always review the rental agreement for how fines are handled.

The return process in the District of Columbia varies depending on where you picked up your vehicle.

If you are returning at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), follow the instructions provided by your rental brand. Sixt accepts 24-hour drop-offs at marked spaces in Garage A. Budget and Avis use off-airport staffed lots with branded shuttles back to the terminal. Note that Budget does not permit returns between closing time and 4:30 AM, so plan your return accordingly. After-hours key drops are available at some locations, but check your rental agreement for restrictions.

If you picked up at a downtown District of Columbia location such as Union Station, returns must generally be made during office hours. Key drop boxes are available at some locations for after-hours returns, but you remain liable for the vehicle until the next business day when staff inspect it. Document the vehicle's condition with photos before dropping the keys.

Regardless of return location in the District of Columbia, follow these steps:

• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return point to comply with the full-to-full fuel policy
• Photograph the dashboard showing the fuel gauge and odometer
• Keep your fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• Follow any specific parking or drop-off instructions in your rental agreement

Yes, drivers aged 21 to 24 renting a car in the District of Columbia are subject to a daily young-renter surcharge, also called an underage fee. The minimum age to rent without this surcharge is 25.

Typical daily surcharge amounts by brand in the United States, including the District of Columbia, are:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per rental day, capped at US$65 plus taxes
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per rental day, capped at US$189 plus taxes
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day plus taxes

In addition to the surcharge, most vehicle classes are restricted for drivers under 25. Economy, compact, medium sedan, standard sedan, compact SUV, and medium SUV categories are typically available. Premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible classes generally require the main driver to be at least 25.

Drivers from Latin America or the Caribbean aged 21 to 24 may qualify for a young-renter fee waiver on eligible Avis or Budget rates booked through Hola Car Rentals in the District of Columbia. The waiver must appear explicitly on the booking confirmation and applies to the main driver only on eligible vehicle categories.

Drivers aged 18 to 20 cannot rent in the District of Columbia under standard rules, as the state-law exceptions that apply in New York and Michigan do not apply here.

Most bookings through Hola Car Rentals include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if an unexpected situation arises during your rental in the District of Columbia or on routes into neighboring Maryland and Virginia.

Core benefits typically include:

• Travel insurance with medical coverage for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This coverage is designed for travelers renting abroad and applies to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this benefit.

If you need assistance during your rental in the District of Columbia, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

• Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

When you call, have your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number (for example, HOLA1000000), your current location, and a brief description of the situation ready. Follow the coordinator's instructions and keep all receipts and reports for any reimbursement claim.

This travel assistance does not cover damage to the rental vehicle (that is CDW/LDW) or liability to third parties (that is LIS/ALI/SLI). Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms applicable to your reservation.

Yes, downtown pickup locations in the District of Columbia, including Union Station, are available through partner brands such as Alamo and Enterprise. At these locations, vehicles are parked on-site and no shuttle is required. You walk directly to the counter or parking area to collect your car.

However, downtown District of Columbia locations differ from airport counters in important ways:

• They do not operate 24 hours. Access is limited to office hours, so early-morning or late-night pickups may not be possible without prior arrangement.
• Returns must generally be made during operating hours. After-hours key drop boxes are available at some locations, but you remain liable for the vehicle until staff inspect it the next business day.
• If you return after hours using a key drop, document the vehicle's condition with photos and keep a copy of any drop envelope or receipt.

If you are arriving by plane, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) offers a consolidated Rental Car Center in Terminal Garage A and is the most common pickup point for visitors to the District of Columbia. Dulles International Airport (IAD) is another option, though it is located in Virginia rather than the District of Columbia itself.

Always confirm the exact address and operating hours of your chosen District of Columbia pickup location before your arrival, as hours can vary by brand and season.

When renting a car in the District of Columbia, two main types of coverage are worth understanding before you pick up your vehicle.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the rental vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW and LDW do not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.

Third-Party Liability (LIS, ALI, or SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving in the District of Columbia or on surrounding roads in Maryland and Virginia. Not all U.S. states require rental companies to include minimum liability coverage by default, so check your booking confirmation to confirm whether this is included or needs to be added.

Common exclusions to be aware of in the District of Columbia and surrounding areas include:

• Driving under the influence, reckless driving, or off-road use voids both CDW and liability coverage
• Drivers not listed on the rental agreement are not covered
• Tires, undercarriage, and roof damage are often excluded from standard CDW

Review your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation carefully to see which protections are included in your rate and whether a deductible applies. If in doubt, adding supplemental liability coverage is strongly recommended for driving in and around the District of Columbia.

The standard fuel policy for rental cars in the District of Columbia is full-to-full. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

To avoid fuel charges on your District of Columbia rental, follow these steps:

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep the final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• For after-hours returns in the District of Columbia, leave the receipt in the drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, the rental company may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refueling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refueling service fee.

Fuel stations are available along exit routes near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, including along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. If you are returning to a downtown District of Columbia location, plan your refueling stop before entering the city center, where station access may be less convenient.

Some counter locations may offer a prepaid fuel option. If you accept it, any unused fuel is typically non-refundable, so the full-to-full approach is usually better value.

Yes, driving your District of Columbia rental car into neighboring Maryland and Virginia is generally permitted under standard rental agreements, as these are common routes for visitors to the region.

However, there are important considerations before crossing state lines from the District of Columbia:

• Confirm with your rental agreement that interstate driving is authorized. Some vehicle classes or rate types may have restrictions.
• Toll roads begin as soon as you leave the District of Columbia on many major routes. The Wilson Bridge on I-95/I-495, the 495 Express Lanes in Virginia, and the Dulles Toll Road all use cashless electronic tolling. Your rental vehicle is pre-equipped for electronic toll billing.
• Speed limits increase significantly once you leave the District of Columbia. Virginia and Maryland interstate highways typically allow 55 to 70 mph, compared to the 20 mph default on most District of Columbia streets. Adjust your driving accordingly.
• Left turns on red, prohibited in the District of Columbia, may be permitted in certain situations in Maryland and Virginia. Follow posted signs in each jurisdiction.

Cross-border travel to other countries, such as Canada or Mexico, is a separate matter and is generally not permitted without prior written authorization from the rental company. For travel within the United States from the District of Columbia, always review your rental agreement and confirm any territory restrictions at the counter.