Car Hire in Maryland

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

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in Maryland, hire car counters are not inside the terminals. All major brands operate from a Consolidated Hire Car Centre (CHCC) located off the main terminal buildings.

After collecting your luggage, follow the "Hire Car" signs to the curbside shuttle zones outside the terminal. Board the airport-operated consolidated shuttle, which runs frequently and takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to reach the CHCC. Inside the shared facility you will find counters and kiosks for all partner brands including Avis, Hertz, Alamo, Enterprise, Budget, Dollar, National, Payless, and Thrifty.

If you are collecting from a downtown Baltimore or Annapolis branch in Maryland rather than BWI, the process is different. City branches allow direct walk-up access without a shuttle, though they have less structured signage and lower staffing levels than the airport CHCC.

For after-hours pickups at BWI, check your booking confirmation for key-drop or meet-and-greet procedures, as shuttle frequency may be reduced outside peak times.

Maryland has several major tolled facilities that drivers will commonly encounter, and the state's toll system is primarily cashless and E-ZPass-compatible.

Key tolled roads and crossings in Maryland include:

• Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95): US$3 to US$6 for standard vehicles
• Baltimore Harbour Thruway Tunnel (I-895): US$3 to US$6
• William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge: US$2.50 with E-ZPass for standard vehicles
• Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge (US-301): US$4.50 to US$9
• John F. Kennedy Memorial Highway (I-95): US$6 to US$12
• Intercounty Connector (MD 200): US$0.07 to US$0.35 per mile

If you do not have a transponder, Maryland uses a Pay-by-Plate or Video Toll system that captures your licence plate and mails an invoice. Administrative fees are added to the toll amount, making this option more expensive. Unpaid tolls can result in violations and vehicle registration suspension.

Maryland has no congestion charges, emissions zones, or city-centre driving fees comparable to systems in other countries.

When hiring a car in Maryland, you have several options for handling tolls on cashless roads like the Fort McHenry Tunnel and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Hire company toll programmes available in Maryland include:

• National Car Rental TollPass: US$4.95 per day convenience charge plus actual tolls, with a maximum of US$34.65 for the hire period
• Transponder rental programmes at similar daily rates with per-hire caps
• Avis E-Toll: electronic toll processing available for vehicles in the North-east region
• Dollar PlatePass: pre-paid unlimited toll service at a daily rate

Alternatively, you can use a third-party service such as NextPass by adding your hire vehicle's licence plate number to their app and selecting your hire dates.

If you drive through a Maryland toll without enrolling in any programme, the toll agency captures your plate and the hire company passes the charge to your credit card along with administrative processing fees. These fees can add significantly to the base toll cost, so enrolling in a programme before using tolled roads is generally the more predictable option.

All vehicles in Maryland come equipped with an electronic toll device. Review the hire agreement at the counter before signing to understand the daily rate and any caps that apply.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which lets you recover up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Maryland hire.

This benefit is especially useful in Maryland, where tolled roads such as the Fort McHenry Tunnel, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, and the Intercounty Connector can add meaningful costs to a trip, particularly if you are driving between Baltimore, Annapolis, and the Eastern Shore.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after your Maryland hire:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - Reservation {Your Confirmation Number}
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid during the hire period

The refund is calculated as the lesser of the actual tolls paid or 5% of your booking total. For example, if your booking total is US$500, the maximum cashback is US$25. If you paid US$18 in Maryland tolls, you receive US$18 back. Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Maryland has several driving rules that can catch visitors off guard, particularly those arriving from neighbouring states or from abroad.

• Handheld mobile phone ban: Maryland prohibits all drivers from using a handheld phone while driving under primary enforcement, meaning police can stop you solely for this violation. Fines start at US$75 to US$83 for handheld use and US$70 plus points for texting. Drivers under 18 cannot use a phone even hands-free.
• Right turn on red: Allowed statewide unless posted otherwise, but Montgomery County near Washington DC has banned right turns on red at many large intersections. Visitors driving in that area of Maryland should watch for posted signs carefully.
• Move Over law: Maryland requires drivers to change lanes or slow down for any stopped vehicle displaying flashing lights, including emergency vehicles, utility trucks, and tow trucks.
• Boulevard Rule: When merging from a side road onto a major highway in Maryland, you must come to a full stop and yield to all traffic on the main road.
• Speed limits: Maryland motorways such as I-95 and I-70 have a maximum of 70 mph. Some older sources incorrectly cite 55 mph. Always obey posted signs, as Maryland uses speed cameras that pursue out-of-state violators.

Understanding these Maryland-specific rules before you drive can help you avoid fines and drive safely throughout the state.

To collect your hire car in Maryland, you must present physical, original documents at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

Required documents include:

• A valid, unexpired driving licence in the main driver's name (physical card)
• A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the security deposit hold. Debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the deposit
• A passport or valid government photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting Maryland 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. An IDP is mandatory if your licence 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 licence, not as a replacement.

Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling to Maryland, as US issuers such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-US licence holders.

All additional drivers must also be present at the Maryland counter with their own valid licence and ID to be added to the hire agreement.

When collecting a hire car in Maryland, the partner desk will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card at the time of pickup. This is not a charge but it reduces your available credit until the hire is closed and your bank releases the hold.

For standard vehicles hired in the United States, including Maryland, typical holds range from approximately US$300 to US$400. Premium or speciality vehicle classes may carry higher holds. The exact amount is set by the hire company desk and local policy, not by Hola Car Rentals, so the figure can vary by brand, location, and season.

To prepare for your Maryland pickup:

• Bring a physical major credit card with your name printed on the card and sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the deposit
• Notify your bank of your travel to Maryland to prevent fraud blocks on the authorisation
• Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined

After you return the vehicle in Maryland, the hold is released. Your bank or card issuer controls when the credit reappears on your account, which can take up to 15 working days.

When hiring a car in Maryland, two main types of cover are worth understanding before you reach the counter.

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) covers damage to the hire vehicle itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero. 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 Maryland. Some US states require hire companies to include state-minimum liability by law, but not all do. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding Liability Insurance Supplementary (up to US$300,000) to your Maryland hire to ensure you are protected against third-party claims.

Common exclusions in Maryland and across the US include:

• Damage caused by prohibited use such as off-road driving, DUI, or unauthorised drivers
• Tires, wheels, undercarriage, and roof damage unless a specific add-on is purchased
• Incidents not reported promptly to the hire partner

Only drivers named on the hire agreement are covered. If you plan to share driving in Maryland, add all additional drivers at the counter at pickup.

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can help if you face an emergency during your Maryland hire, such as a medical situation on a motorway or a serious incident in a remote area of the state.

Core benefits typically included are:

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

This cover is designed for travellers visiting Maryland from abroad. It does not apply to US residents or Canadian residents, who do not qualify for this benefit.

If you need assistance during your Maryland hire, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

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

Have your full name, Hola Car Rentals confirmation number (for example, HOLA1000000), your location in Maryland, and a brief description of the situation ready when you call. Travel assistance does not cover damage to the hire vehicle (that is CDW or LDW) or liability to third parties (that is LIS or SLI). Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

Returning a hire car at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) in Maryland follows a straightforward process through the same Consolidated Hire Car Centre (CHCC) used for pickup.

Steps for returning your Maryland hire at BWI:

• Follow airport signage directing you to the CHCC return lanes, which are adjacent to the pickup shuttle zones
• GPS-guided lots within the CHCC direct you to your specific hire company's return slots
• A staff member will typically check the vehicle and close your contract on the spot
• For after-hours returns, use the lockbox key drop at the CHCC entrance per your hire company's policy. Keep a photo of the fuel gauge and odometer before dropping the keys

Fuel policy in Maryland, as with most US hires, is Full-to-Full. You receive the car with a full tank and must return it full to avoid a refuelling charge at the partner's rate, which is typically higher than pump prices, plus a service fee. Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the BWI CHCC before returning. Fuel stations are available on-airport or within 1 to 2 miles via exit roads from the airport.

For downtown Baltimore or Annapolis returns in Maryland, there is no CHCC or shuttle. Returns are made directly at the branch location, with standard fuel stations nearby.

Yes, hiring a car in Maryland involves several taxes and fees on top of the base hire rate, particularly at BWI Airport.

Common charges that apply to Maryland hires include:

• Maryland state sales tax of 6% on the hire
• Vehicle hire excise tax, which may apply in certain Maryland counties
• Airport Concession Recovery Fee (ACRF) at BWI, typically around 10% to 12% of the base rate
• Customer Facility Charge (CFC) at BWI, approximately US$4.50 per hire day, which funds the Consolidated Hire Car Centre

Combined, these Maryland airport fees and taxes can add 20% to 30% above the base rate shown during your search. Off-airport locations in Baltimore or Annapolis generally avoid the concession recovery fee and CFC, which is why off-airport rates in Maryland can be 15% to 30% lower than airport rates for comparable vehicles.

Your booking confirmation will show which taxes and fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are due at the Maryland counter. If your confirmation states "Taxes and Fees: Included," you should not be billed separately for those items at pickup. If you are charged for something not disclosed on your confirmation, the No Extra Charges© guarantee may apply. Contact Hola Car Rentals support after completing your hire with your documentation.

Yes, drivers between 21 and 24 years old can hire a car in Maryland, but a young-driver surcharge applies and certain vehicle classes are restricted.

In Maryland, as in most US states, the standard minimum age without surcharges is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 are permitted to hire but will pay a daily young-driver fee at the counter. Typical surcharges by brand include:

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

Vehicle class restrictions also apply in Maryland for under-25 drivers. Economy, compact, and intermediate SUV categories are generally available, while full-size sedans, minivans, premium, luxury, and convertible classes are typically restricted to drivers 25 and older.

One exception applies at Maryland hire locations for drivers aged 21 to 24 from Latin America and the Caribbean: certain Hola Car Rentals rates fulfilled by Avis or Budget may waive the young-driver fee when the waiver is explicitly shown on the booking confirmation. Check your confirmation to see if this applies to your Maryland reservation.

Drivers under 21 cannot hire in Maryland outside of New York and Michigan state rules, which do not apply here.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Maryland hire, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a daily fee paid at the counter.

Check your booking confirmation before arriving at the Maryland counter. If it states "Additional driver free of charge" or "Additional driver included," the first extra driver is covered at no extra cost. If it is not included, the fees by brand are:

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

Requirements for adding a driver at a Maryland counter:

• The additional driver must be physically present at pickup
• They must present a valid driving licence and any required ID
• If their licence uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit is required
• They must meet the minimum age requirements for Maryland hires
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement

Only drivers named on the Maryland hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW, LDW, and liability cover. Anyone who drives the vehicle without being listed on the contract may void those protections entirely.