Car Hire
in Tennessee

EASTER  45% OFF   

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Tennessee, 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 hire 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 car hire experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in Tennessee.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 hire 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)

No, Tennessee has no toll roads, toll bridges, or toll tunnels anywhere in the state. You can drive freely on any route in Tennessee, including major motorways like I-40 between Nashville and Knoxville or I-65, without encountering any toll plazas or cashless toll points.

Because there are no tolls in Tennessee, you do not need to enrol in any toll programme such as E-ZPass, PlatePass, or similar services for travel within the state. Hire car toll programmes offered by partners like Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, or Budget are simply not necessary for driving in Tennessee.

There are also no congestion charges, emissions zones, or city-centre driving fees anywhere in Tennessee.

If your trip takes you beyond Tennessee into neighbouring states that do have tolls, the Tolls Cashback benefit included with your booking lets you claim back up to 5% of your total booking value for any tolls paid during your hire period.

At Nashville International Airport (BNA), Tennessee's busiest airport, hire car collection does not happen inside the main terminal for most providers. Instead, you need to exit the terminal on Level 1 and head to the ground transportation area, where you can either walk or take a short shuttle to the hire car centre located in the garage adjacent to the terminal.

Here is what to expect step by step:

• After collecting your luggage, exit the terminal on Level 1 towards ground transportation
• Follow signs for hire cars to reach the terminal-adjacent hire car garage or the shuttle stop for your provider
• Off-site providers may have their own shuttle pickup points at the marked ground transportation area
• Counter hours at BNA typically run from around 6 to 7 AM through 11 PM to midnight, though this varies by partner
• After-hours collection may be available through pre-arranged instructions, lockboxes, or kiosks depending on your hire partner

Always check your booking confirmation for the specific counter location and hours for your partner brand at BNA. If your flight is delayed by less than 24 hours, your Tennessee hire reservation will be held. For delays beyond 24 hours, contact support as soon as possible.

To collect a hire car in Tennessee, you must present all of the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driving licence in the main driver’s name (physical card, not digital)
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, in the main driver’s name, for the authorisation hold
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher if required by your partner
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

If your driving licence is not in English and not issued by an EU or EEA country, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended. If your licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an IDP is mandatory alongside your original licence. The IDP is a translation only and cannot be used without the original licence.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at any Tennessee hire counter. Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold.

Yes, every booking includes the Tolls Cashback benefit, which lets you claim back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire.

Since Tennessee itself has no toll roads, this benefit is most relevant if your trip takes you into neighbouring states that do have tolls, such as Kentucky, Georgia, or North Carolina. Any tolls you pay during your hire period, regardless of which state you drive through, are eligible for the cashback claim.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after your Tennessee hire:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for your booking

Refunds are processed to your original payment method and typically arrive within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Submissions received more than 30 days after vehicle return are not accepted.

Tennessee enforces specific speed limits that every driver should know before getting behind the wheel of a hire car in the state.

• Rural motorways: maximum 70 mph
• Urban motorways and dual carriageways: typically 55 to 65 mph
• Most two-lane roads outside towns and cities: 55 mph
• Municipal and urban areas: towns and counties in Tennessee can set limits as low as 15 mph in school zones and up to 55 mph in urban corridors, so limits can change frequently

Tennessee uses a points-based enforcement system for speeding offences. Points range from 1 point for driving 1 to 5 mph over the limit up to 8 points for exceeding the limit by 46 mph or more. Accumulating enough points can lead to licence suspension. Fines for a first speeding offence start at around US$77.75, and fines in roadworks zones range from US$250 to US$500.

Reckless driving in Tennessee carries up to 7 points, a fine of up to US$500, and the possibility of up to 6 months in prison. First-time visitors to Tennessee should pay close attention to posted speed limit signs, especially when transitioning between rural motorways and urban areas, where limits can drop significantly.

An IDP is not always mandatory to hire a car in Tennessee, but whether you need one depends on your licence.

If your driving licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an IDP is required alongside your original licence at any Tennessee hire counter. Without it, the hire partner may refuse to hand over the vehicle.

If your licence is in English or uses the Latin alphabet, an IDP is not strictly required in Tennessee, but it is strongly recommended as a precaution, since individual hire partners may request one at their discretion.

Important points to keep in mind:

• The IDP is a translation document only. It is not a standalone licence and will not be accepted without your original driving licence
• You must obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling to Tennessee. Organisations in the United States such as AAA do not issue IDPs to holders of non-US licences
• All documents presented at the counter must be physical originals. Digital versions are not accepted

When in doubt, obtaining an IDP before your trip to Tennessee is the safest approach.

In Tennessee, the standard minimum age to hire a car without additional surcharges is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire in Tennessee but will be charged a young-driver surcharge, and most vehicle classes are restricted to drivers aged 25 and older.

Tennessee does not have the same state-law exceptions as New York or Michigan, where hire companies are required to hire to drivers aged 18 and older. In Tennessee, the minimum eligible age is generally 21, subject to each partner’s policy.

Vehicle classes typically restricted to drivers aged 25 and older in Tennessee include:

• Full-size saloons and SUVs
• Minivans and vans
• Convertibles, luxury, and premium vehicles

Drivers aged 21 to 24 are generally limited to economy, compact, medium saloon, standard saloon, compact SUV, and medium SUV categories.

One exception worth noting: certain Hola Car Rentals rates fulfilled by Avis or Budget waive the young-driver surcharge for main drivers aged 21 to 24 who are citizens or residents of Latin America or the Caribbean, provided the waiver is explicitly shown on the booking confirmation. A valid passport proving eligibility must be presented at the Tennessee hire desk.

When hiring a car in Tennessee, there are two main types of cover to consider: protection for the hire vehicle itself and protection for third parties.

Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW) covers damage to the hire vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other people or their property.

Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving in Tennessee. Not all U.S. states require hire companies to include state-minimum liability cover, so it is important to check whether your Tennessee hire confirmation includes this or whether you need to add it.

Key points to review before collecting your Tennessee hire:

• Check your booking confirmation to see which covers are already included in your rate
• Confirm the deductible or excess amount for CDW/LDW on the hire agreement at the counter
• Verify that all drivers listed on the agreement are covered, since unnamed drivers are not protected
• CDW/LDW typically excludes tyres, undercarriage, roof, and keys unless a specific add-on is purchased

If you are unsure about your cover level for Tennessee, review the rate details in your booking confirmation before arriving at the counter.

Most bookings include Travel Assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be especially useful if you experience a medical emergency or accident while driving in Tennessee, including on rural stretches of I-40 through the Appalachian region or on remote two-lane roads in the eastern part of the state.

The Travel Assistance benefit typically includes:

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

To reach assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free or collect), or contact via WhatsApp at +1 208 910 1001, or email [email protected]. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call.

Important: This benefit applies only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for Travel Assistance. Coverage details, limits, and exclusions vary by booking, so always review your confirmation for the exact terms that apply to your Tennessee hire.

Tennessee has a few driving rules that are worth knowing before you get on the road with your hire car.

Cell phone use: Tennessee does not currently have a statewide hands-free mandate for all drivers, making it more permissive than neighbouring states such as Missouri, which enforces a fully hands-free law. However, local ordinances may vary, and distracted driving can still result in fines or contribute to an accident that voids your hire coverage.

Right turn on red: Permitted in Tennessee after a complete stop, unless a posted sign prohibits it. This applies at most intersections across the state.

Blocking emergency access: Tennessee treats blocking a highway or emergency access route as a misdemeanour, with fines around US$200. This is enforced more strictly than many visitors expect.

Speed enforcement: Tennessee uses a points-based system. Speeding fines start at approximately US$77.75 for a first offence, and reckless driving can result in fines up to US$500 and potential jail time. Municipal areas in Tennessee can set their own speed limits, so posted signs can change frequently, especially when moving between rural motorways and city streets.

Always carry your hire agreement and driving licence when driving in Tennessee, as law enforcement may request both during a traffic stop.

The standard fuel policy for hire cars in Tennessee is Full to Full. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

Here is how to handle fuel correctly during your Tennessee hire:

• At collection, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge before leaving the lot
• Ask the agent at collection about the nearest fuel stations to the return location, particularly at Nashville International Airport (BNA) or whichever Tennessee location you are returning to
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• For after-hours returns in Tennessee, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, the hire partner may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus an administrative service fee. Returning the car full is always the most cost-effective option in Tennessee.

When collecting a hire car in Tennessee, the hire partner will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge, but it reduces your available credit until the hold is released after you return the vehicle.

For standard vehicles hired in the United States, including Tennessee, typical holds range from approximately US$300 to US$400. The exact amount varies depending on the hire partner, the vehicle class, the specific location such as Nashville International Airport (BNA) versus a city branch, and the length of your hire.

Important things to know about the deposit in Tennessee:

• Only a major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card is accepted for the hold. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted
• The card must be in the main driver’s name and presented physically at the counter
• Premium or speciality vehicles may require a higher hold than the standard range
• After returning your Tennessee hire, the hold is released by the partner, but your bank controls when the funds appear back on your statement, which can take up to 15 working days
• Notify your bank of your travel to Tennessee in advance to prevent the authorisation from being flagged as suspicious

Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined at the Tennessee counter.

Yes, after-hours returns are generally possible at major Tennessee airports such as Nashville International Airport (BNA), though the process varies by hire partner.

Most hire partners at Tennessee airports provide one or more of the following after-hours return options:

• A secure key drop box located near the hire car return lot or garage
• Pre-arranged instructions provided at collection or in your booking confirmation
• Self-service kiosks at some locations

To return your Tennessee hire car after hours without issues:

• Park in the designated return area for your hire brand at the Tennessee airport
• Document the vehicle condition with photos before leaving, including the fuel gauge showing a full tank
• Drop the keys in the secure key box and keep your drop receipt if one is issued
• Leave your fuel receipt in the key envelope so the partner can verify the tank level
• A final email confirmation of the return is typically sent later once the partner processes the vehicle

Be aware that until the hire partner formally checks in the vehicle at the Tennessee location, you may remain responsible for the car. Always confirm the after-hours procedure for your specific partner when you collect the vehicle, as policies differ between brands at BNA and other Tennessee airports.