Car Hire
in Maine

EASTER  45% OFF   

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in Maine, 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 Maine.

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

At Portland International Jetport (PWM), Maine's busiest airport, hire car counters are located on the first floor of the main terminal in the ground transportation area. There is no consolidated hire centre and no mandatory shuttle required.

Brands including Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, National, and Thrifty all have counters directly inside the terminal. After collecting your baggage, walk to the adjacent counters and then proceed via a short covered walkway to the on-site vehicle lot.

Counter hours at PWM are generally 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily. If your flight arrives after hours, some providers offer key-drop or self-service kiosk arrangements, but these must be arranged in advance. Always confirm after-hours procedures with your hire partner before arriving in Maine.

To pick up a hire car in Maine, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, for the authorisation hold
• A passport or valid 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 licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, for example if it uses Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For licences in English or a Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required in Maine.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the counter. Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling, as it cannot be issued abroad.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not always mandatory to hire a car in Maine, but it depends on your licence.

If your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an IDP is required alongside your original licence when hiring in Maine. The IDP is a translation document only and is never valid on its own.

If your licence is in English or uses a Latin alphabet, an IDP is strongly recommended but not strictly required. Some hire partners at Maine counters may request one at their discretion.

Obtain your IDP from an authorised issuer in your home country before travelling to Maine. Organisations such as AAA in the United States do not issue IDPs to holders of non-US licences. Always carry both your original licence and the IDP together at the counter.

The Maine Turnpike (I-95, running from Kittery to Augusta) is the primary toll road in Maine and operates on the E-ZPass electronic toll system. Cash booths have largely been eliminated, so tolls are collected electronically either via a transponder or by plate-based billing.

Hire vehicles in Maine come equipped with an electronic toll device. At the counter you will typically have two options:

• Purchase an unlimited toll package (approximately US$11 to US$25 per day, depending on the partner) that covers all Maine Turnpike tolls for a fixed daily fee
• Decline the package and pay per use, in which case the hire company will charge you the actual toll amount plus an administrative processing fee per transaction

If you drive through an E-ZPass lane without enrolling in the hire company's toll programme, the hire company will receive a notice and charge your card for the toll plus fees, often weeks after the hire ends.

There is no charge on days when you do not use a toll road in Maine. Review the toll programme terms carefully before signing the hire agreement.

Yes, every booking made through Hola Car Rentals includes Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Maine hire, including charges on the Maine Turnpike.

To claim your cashback after returning the vehicle in Maine:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of vehicle return
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid

The refund is calculated as the lesser of the actual tolls paid or 5% of your booking total. For example, if your Maine booking totals US$500, the cap is US$25. If you paid US$18 in Maine Turnpike tolls, you receive US$18 back. If you paid US$40, you receive US$25.

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Maine enforces one of the strictest hands-free driving laws in the northeastern United States. Since 2019, all drivers in Maine are prohibited from using any handheld device while operating a vehicle, including when stopped at a red light if the engine is running.

Key points for hire car drivers in Maine:

• Handheld phone use, including texting at stops, is a primary offence and police can pull you over solely for this violation
• Fines start at US$250 for a first adult offence and increase for repeat violations
• Drivers under 18 face stricter enforcement and higher penalties
• Hands-free devices such as Bluetooth or a mounted phone are permitted

This law is stricter than neighbouring New Hampshire, which bans handheld texting only, and Vermont, which restricts handheld use primarily for drivers under 21. Visitors hiring a car in Maine who are accustomed to more permissive rules elsewhere should be aware that enforcement is active, particularly on coastal routes such as Route 1.

Speed limits in Maine vary by road type and are actively enforced, particularly on scenic and coastal routes popular with visitors.

• Motorways (including the Maine Turnpike): 70 to 75 mph, higher than the 65 mph maximum in neighbouring Vermont
• Rural highways: 55 to 60 mph
• Residential and commercial districts: 25 mph
• School zones: 15 mph

Maine applies a basic speed law, meaning you must reduce speed below posted limits when conditions such as rain, fog, or ice require it. Fines escalate quickly: 1 to 9 mph over the limit carries a fine of approximately US$134, while exceeding the limit by 30 mph or more is a criminal offence that can result in licence suspension.

No-passing zones on double yellow lines are strictly enforced on two-lane coastal and rural roads such as Route 1 and Route 9, where logging trucks and slow traffic are common. Fines for illegal overtaking range from US$150 to US$500. Visitors hiring a car in Maine should plan for slower travel times on these routes.

Yes, a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name is required at every hire counter in Maine. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual or digital wallet cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold.

At pickup, the hire partner will place a temporary authorisation hold on your card. Typical hold amounts in the United States range from approximately US$300 to US$400 for standard vehicles, though the exact amount varies by partner, vehicle class, and location. Premium or specialised vehicles may carry higher holds.

The hold reduces your available credit until the hire is closed and your bank releases the authorisation, which can take up to 15 business days after the vehicle is returned in Maine.

To avoid issues at the Maine counter:

• Bring a physical card with the driver’s name printed on it
• Ensure sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges
• Set a travel notice with your bank to prevent fraud blocks on in-person authorisations
• Carry a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined

Most bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be especially useful when driving in Maine's more remote coastal and rural areas where roadside help may be farther away.

Core benefits typically included are:

• Medical cover for up to 5 passengers for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses
• Legal assistance in the event of a road accident in Maine
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This cover applies only to travellers who are not residents of the United States or Canada. US and Canadian residents do not qualify for this benefit.

If you need assistance while driving in Maine, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Cover limits, exclusions, and eligibility details appear on your booking confirmation. This benefit does not replace CDW/LDW for vehicle damage or third-party liability cover.

Yes, drivers aged 21 to 24 hiring a car in Maine are subject to a daily young-renter surcharge on top of the base hire rate. The standard minimum age to hire without a surcharge in Maine is 25.

Typical daily surcharge amounts by partner in Maine:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per hire day, capped at US$65 per hire period (plus taxes)
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per hire day, capped at US$189 per hire period (plus taxes)
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day (plus taxes, no stated cap)

Vehicle class restrictions also apply. Most partners in Maine limit under-25 drivers to economy, compact, and intermediate categories. Premium, luxury, full-size SUV, minivan, and convertible classes typically 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 in Maine. Check your booking confirmation to see if this waiver is shown.

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

At pickup in Maine, 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 gauge and odometer.

Before returning your vehicle at Maine airports, refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location. Convenient options near Portland International Jetport (PWM) include a Sunoco station approximately 0.5 miles west on Jetport Road and an Irving station approximately 1 mile away via Congress Street, both open 24 hours. Near Bangor International Airport (BGR), a Citgo station is approximately 0.3 miles away on Union Street.

If you return the car below the recorded fuel level in Maine, the hire company may charge:

• A fuel shortfall at the hire company’s refuelling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices
• An additional refuelling service or administrative fee

Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address as proof in case of any dispute.

Maine winters can be severe, and the state has regulations that affect vehicle equipment from October through April. While there is no universal statewide mandate requiring hire customers to specifically request winter tyres, Maine law permits enforcement of vehicle equipment standards, and hire partners at Maine airports may offer or recommend vehicles with snow tyres or all-wheel drive (AWD) options during winter months.

When picking up a hire car in Maine during winter:

• Ask the counter agent whether the vehicle is equipped with winter or all-season tyres
• Consider requesting an AWD or 4WD vehicle if you plan to drive on rural or coastal roads in Maine where conditions can deteriorate quickly
• Confirm at pickup that the vehicle meets Maine's winter equipment standards, as this may be inspectable

Maine's basic speed law also requires you to reduce speed below posted limits when road conditions demand it, regardless of vehicle type. If you are unsure whether your hire vehicle is suitable for Maine winter driving, ask the agent before leaving the lot.

Returning a hire car after hours at Maine airports is straightforward if arranged in advance, but procedures differ by location.

At Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Maine, follow the Hire Car Return signs to the on-terminal lot at 115 Hearne Road. Park in the marked stalls for your hire brand and drop the keys in the provider's designated key box, for example the Alamo/National box or the Hertz/Avis drop box. Lock the vehicle before leaving.

At Bangor International Airport (BGR) in Maine, return to the dedicated lot off Godfrey Boulevard and use the key drop box at your provider's area, such as the Budget box near stage 3.

For smaller Maine airports such as Augusta State Airport (AUG) and Bar Harbor Airport (BHB), after-hours returns are fully reservation-based. Keys go into locked Enterprise drop boxes at the lot. Counter hours at these locations are limited, often 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays with shorter weekend hours.

For all Maine locations:

• Refuel before returning, as fuel stations near Maine airports are open 24 hours
• Take photos of the vehicle condition and fuel gauge before dropping the keys
• Keep your key drop receipt or photo as confirmation of return time