Avis Car Hire in Nova Scotia

Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car hire companies in Nova Scotia, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes extra benefits that no other company can match:

• Full vehicle coverage with no excess (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: get back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls charged during your hire
• Premium travel medical assistance for up to 5 passengers in case of emergency, covering up to CAD 200,000 (pre-existing conditions excluded)
• 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 at no additional cost, ensuring a unique hire experience with complete protection and peace of mind during your trip in Nova Scotia.

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

The Avis counter at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) in Nova Scotia is located inside the terminal in the baggage reclaim area. After collecting your luggage, follow the Arrivals and Baggage Claim signs to reach the counter. Your hire vehicle will be parked outside near the baggage reclaim area.

If you are an Avis Preferred member and included your flight information on your reservation, a preprinted agreement and keys may be available at the counter or at a parking garage kiosk, allowing you to proceed directly to your vehicle.

The Avis counter at Halifax YHZ is open daily from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM. After-hours vehicle returns are available via a 24-hour key drop box. If you are arriving outside counter hours, plan your pickup accordingly or contact the location in advance.

The Avis location at Sydney Airport in Nova Scotia operates on a schedule that differs from the Halifax YHZ location. Hours vary by day, with the counter generally open Monday through Friday with extended late service, and reduced hours on weekends. As a general reference, Saturday hours run approximately 11:00 AM to 7:30 PM with late service available.

A 24-hour key drop box is available at Sydney Airport for after-hours vehicle returns, so you can return your Avis hire outside of staffed hours without issue.

Avis also operates a downtown Sydney location at 160 Welton St, which keeps shorter hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, also with 24-hour drop-off.

Counter hours can change on public holidays, so confirm the schedule on your booking confirmation before your travel date. If your flight is delayed, Avis will generally hold your Nova Scotia reservation for up to 24 hours from the original pickup time.

Yes, there are toll roads in Nova Scotia that can affect your Avis hire, though the network is limited compared to many other regions.

• Cobequid Pass on Highway 104: This is a 45-km tolled section between Masstown and Thomson Station. The toll for passenger cars is CAD 4.00 per one-way trip. Cash lanes are available at the toll plaza. If your Avis hire carries Nova Scotia plates, attendants may wave you through at cash lanes, but this exemption is not guaranteed. Out-of-province vehicles are charged the standard rate.
• Halifax Bridges (Angus L. Macdonald and A. Murray MacKay): As of 17 March 2025, tolls on these bridges have been removed entirely. No payment is required to cross them.

If you drive through a cashless toll lane without paying, the toll agency will capture your plate and bill the hire company, which will then charge you the toll amount plus an administrative fee of approximately CAD 15 to CAD 25. To avoid this, use cash lanes at the Cobequid Pass and carry Canadian coins and notes.

Avis may offer a transponder or toll programme at the Nova Scotia counter. Review the terms carefully, as daily fees typically apply regardless of whether you use any tolls.

Yes, you can get cashback on tolls paid during your Avis hire in Nova Scotia. All Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses you up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during the hire period.

In Nova Scotia, the main toll road is the Cobequid Pass on Highway 104, where the one-way toll for passenger cars is CAD 4.00. Even if your total toll costs are modest, the cashback benefit still applies.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after returning your Avis vehicle in Nova Scotia:

• 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 booking confirmation, the signed Avis hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your original booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days will not be accepted, so keep your toll receipts throughout your Nova Scotia trip.

To pick up your Avis hire car in Nova Scotia, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name. If your licence is not in English and uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended.
• A major credit card physically printed with the main driver’s name, with sufficient available credit to cover the authorisation hold. Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit.
• A valid passport or government-issued photo ID.
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting Nova Scotia from abroad.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the Avis counter in Nova Scotia.

The IDP is a translation document only and must always be carried alongside your original licence. It cannot be used as a standalone document.

Yes, a major credit card is required for the security deposit when picking up your Avis hire in Nova Scotia. The card must be physically present, printed with the main driver’s name, and have sufficient available credit to cover the hold.

For Avis hires in Canada, the typical security deposit hold is approximately GBP 200 to GBP 300, though some locations may place a hold of up to GBP 400 depending on the vehicle class and location. This is a temporary authorisation, not a charge, and it reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends.

• Debit cards are not accepted for the deposit hold
• Prepaid or virtual cards are not accepted
• Someone else’s card cannot be used, even with their permission
• Digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are not accepted at the counter for the deposit

After you return your Avis vehicle in Nova Scotia, the hold is released. Your bank controls how quickly the credit becomes available again, which can take up to 15 business days. Bringing a backup credit card in your name is recommended in case your primary card is declined.

Yes, a young driver surcharge applies to Avis hires in Nova Scotia for drivers between the ages of 21 and 24. The underage surcharge is GBP 20.00 per day, which is charged at the counter and is not included in your prepaid rate.

This surcharge applies across all Canadian provinces except Saskatchewan, so it is standard practice for Avis in Nova Scotia. Drivers under 21 are generally not permitted to hire.

If you are adding an additional driver who is under 25, note that for Avis in Nova Scotia the additional driver must also be at least 25 years old to avoid the young driver surcharge. If the additional driver is between 21 and 24, the daily surcharge will apply to them as well.

Plan for this cost when budgeting your Nova Scotia trip, as the surcharge accumulates daily for the full hire period. The fee is paid directly at the Avis counter and cannot be prepaid through your booking.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Avis hire in Nova Scotia, but the process and cost depend on your booking rate.

If your booking confirmation states that an additional driver is included at no charge, you simply bring that person to the Avis counter at pickup. If it is not included, Avis charges GBP 10.00 per hire day for an additional driver, with a maximum charge of GBP 50.00 plus applicable taxes for the hire period.

Requirements for adding an additional driver at any Avis location in Nova Scotia:

• The additional driver must be physically present at the counter at pickup
• They must present a valid driver’s licence and any required ID
• For Avis in Nova Scotia, the additional driver must be at least 25 years old to avoid the young driver surcharge
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement

Only drivers listed on the Avis hire agreement are covered by the vehicle’s protections, including CDW and liability coverage. If someone not listed on the contract drives the vehicle in Nova Scotia, coverage may be void and additional charges could apply.

Most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance coverage through Terrawind Global Protection, and this applies to Avis hires in Nova Scotia as well. However, this benefit is available only to non-North American customers. Canadian and United States residents do not qualify for this coverage.

For eligible renters driving through Nova Scotia, including on remote stretches like Highway 104 through the Cobequid Pass or along the Cape Breton Highlands, the travel assistance coverage includes:

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

If you need assistance during your Avis hire in Nova Scotia, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

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

Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. This coverage does not replace CDW for vehicle damage or third-party liability insurance, which are separate protections for your Avis hire.

When you hire with Avis in Nova Scotia through Hola Car Rentals, the coverage included depends on the rate plan you selected. It is important to review your booking confirmation carefully to understand exactly what is covered.

In Canada, including Nova Scotia, provincial law requires every hire vehicle to carry third-party liability insurance. This statutory liability is included by default with your Avis hire in Nova Scotia, meaning basic coverage for injury or property damage to others is built into the hire. You can still purchase higher supplemental liability limits if you want additional protection.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the Avis hire vehicle itself. Whether this is included depends on your specific rate. Check your confirmation for the deductible amount, as you may still be responsible for a portion of any damage costs.

• CDW and LDW do not cover third-party injuries or property damage to others
• Personal injuries to you or your passengers require separate Personal Accident Insurance
• Tires, undercarriage, and roof damage are commonly excluded unless a specific add-on is purchased

At the Avis counter in Nova Scotia, review the hire agreement carefully before signing to confirm all coverages match your booking confirmation.

Avis hires in Nova Scotia follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. This means you receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the Avis agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard showing both the odometer and the fuel gauge before leaving the lot.

When returning your Avis vehicle in Nova Scotia:

• Refuel within approximately 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
• Take a photo of the full gauge at the station as backup evidence
• For after-hours returns at Halifax YHZ or Sydney Airport, leave the receipt in the key drop envelope and keep a copy for yourself

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, Avis will charge you for the fuel shortfall at the partner’s refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refuelling service fee. The Full-to-Full policy applies regardless of how far you drove during your Nova Scotia hire.

Yes, after-hours vehicle returns are available at Avis locations in Nova Scotia. All major Avis locations in the province offer 24-hour key drop boxes, so you can return your vehicle outside of staffed counter hours.

At Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), the Avis counter is open daily from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM, and 24-hour drop-off is available. At Sydney Airport, the counter has variable hours but also offers 24-hour drop-off. Downtown locations in Halifax, Dartmouth, and Sydney similarly provide 24-hour key drop facilities.

For an after-hours return at any Avis location in Nova Scotia:

• Park the vehicle in the designated return area as instructed on your hire agreement
• Lock the car and take all personal belongings
• Place the completed hire contract and keys in the key drop box
• Keep a photo of the vehicle condition and your fuel receipt as documentation

Note that after-hours pickup is a separate matter and is not always available. If your flight arrives outside counter hours at Halifax YHZ or Sydney Airport, confirm in advance whether Avis can accommodate your pickup time, as the Halifax YHZ counter closes at 2:00 AM.

Yes, one-way hires within Nova Scotia are possible with Avis, such as picking up at Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) and returning at Sydney Airport or a downtown location. However, a drop-off fee may apply depending on the specific route.

Drop-off fees for Avis one-way hires in Nova Scotia are route-specific and vary based on the cities involved, the vehicle class, and the season. The fee is not included in your prepaid rate and is paid at the Avis counter at pickup.

When booking a one-way Avis hire in Nova Scotia through Hola Car Rentals:

• The drop-off fee, if applicable, will appear on the booking details page under the section labelled To pay at destination
• If no fee is shown, no drop-off charge applies to your specific route
• Changing your return location after booking may reprice the hire and add or increase the drop-off fee

Cross-border one-way hires, such as picking up in Nova Scotia and returning in another Canadian province or the United States, may be restricted or subject to higher fees. Confirm cross-border permissions with Avis at the counter before your trip, as driving outside permitted areas can affect your insurance coverage.