National Car Hire
in California

EASTER  45% OFF   

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

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

To pick up your National hire car in California, you must present all documents in physical form. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• A passport or government-issued photo ID
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, used for the authorisation hold
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for international visitors)

If your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic), you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original licence. The IDP is a translation only and is not valid on its own.

At National locations across California, including major airports such as LAX, SFO, and SAN, the counter agent may also request a second form of photo ID, particularly if you are paying with a debit card or renting a higher-value vehicle category. Bring a backup credit card in your name as well, in case your primary card is declined during the deposit authorisation.

At Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), National operates its hire counter at 9020 Aviation Blvd. After collecting your baggage, take the hire car shuttle from the designated stop at baggage claim to reach the National counter.

National Emerald Club members can use the Emerald Aisle at LAX, which allows you to select your vehicle directly from the lot without waiting at the counter. If you are not an Emerald Club member, proceed to the counter, present your documents, and sign the hire agreement before receiving your vehicle.

• Shuttle stop: follow signs from baggage claim at LAX terminals
• Counter address: 9020 Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles, California
• After-hours return: not available at LAX; the counter does not offer a key-drop option

At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), National is located at the Rental Car Centre at 780 N McDonnell Rd. After-hours returns are available at SFO: park in the shared return area, leave the keys inside the unlocked vehicle, remove your belongings, and board the AirTrain from Level 1. Always confirm your specific California location's hours on your booking confirmation, as counter hours can vary by airport.

Yes, National applies a young driver surcharge in California for renters under 25 years old.

In the United Kingdom, the standard minimum age to hire without additional fees is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can hire from National in California but will be charged a daily young-renter surcharge at the counter. This fee is not included in your prepaid rate and is paid locally when you pick up the vehicle.

• National's additional driver fee for Alamo, National, and Enterprise is US$15 per day plus applicable taxes
• Vehicle class restrictions apply: categories such as full-size SUVs, premium, luxury, convertibles, and vans are typically restricted to renters aged 25 and older
• Economy, compact, and intermediate SUV classes are generally available to drivers aged 21 to 24

California does not have a state law requiring National or other hire companies to hire to drivers under 21, so the minimum age at most California locations is 21. Always verify the surcharge amount and eligible vehicle classes on your booking confirmation, as amounts can vary between airport and city locations across California.

California uses the FasTrak electronic toll system on all toll roads, bridges, and express lanes statewide. Cash payment is no longer accepted at most facilities, so understanding how tolls work before driving your National hire car in California is important.

Your National hire vehicle in California will include an electronic toll device or a plate-based billing system. At pickup, you will typically be offered two options:

• Unlimited toll package: a fixed daily rate of approximately US$11 to US$25 per day, covering all toll usage during your hire period
• Pay per use: the hire company charges you the actual toll amounts plus daily or administrative processing fees, billed to your card after the hire ends, sometimes weeks later

Common toll costs in California include approximately US$8.50 to US$9.75 per crossing for Bay Area bridges such as the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridge. In Southern California, Orange County toll roads (SR-73, SR-241, SR-261, SR-133) and Los Angeles express lanes (I-10, I-110) add variable charges depending on usage.

If you plan to pay tolls yourself, you can opt out of the National toll programme at pickup and pay directly through the toll agency's website, or add your hire vehicle's licence plate to a personal FasTrak account for the hire period. Notify the counter agent so they can deactivate the vehicle's default toll device and help you avoid duplicate charges.

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 National hire in California.

California has significant toll exposure, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area (bridge crossings of US$7 to US$15 each) and in Southern California's Orange County toll roads and Los Angeles express lanes. The Tolls Cashback benefit helps offset these costs.

To claim your cashback after returning your National hire car in California:

• 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 toll invoice or statement showing charges paid
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for your booking

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your booking; you still pay tolls normally and claim reimbursement afterwards.

When picking up a National hire car in California, the counter will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge; it reduces your available credit until the bank releases it after you return the vehicle.

For standard vehicle classes at National locations in the United Kingdom, including California, the typical hold is approximately US$300 to US$400. However, the exact amount can vary based on:

• The specific California location (airport versus city counter)
• The vehicle class you are hiring (premium and speciality vehicles carry higher holds)
• The hire season and duration

The hold must be placed on a physical, major credit card in the main driver’s name, with the driver’s name printed on the card. Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual card numbers are not accepted for the deposit at National counters in California.

After you return the vehicle, the hold is released. Your bank or card issuer controls how quickly it reappears as available credit, which can take up to 15 business days. Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined during authorisation.

Not automatically at the level most renters expect. In California, as in most U.S. states, National and other hire companies are not required by state law to include supplementary third-party liability cover beyond a basic statutory minimum.

Your National hire agreement in California will include state-minimum liability, but this may not be sufficient to cover serious accidents involving injuries or significant property damage to others. For broader protection, you can add Liability Insurance Supplementary (LIS), also referred to as ALI or SLI, which provides cover up to US$300,000 for third-party bodily injury and property damage.

• LIS/ALI/SLI covers injury and property damage you cause to other people while driving the hire vehicle
• It does not cover damage to the National hire vehicle itself (that requires CDW/LDW)
• It does not cover your own injuries or personal belongings

Check your booking confirmation to see whether LIS is included in your selected rate or listed as an optional add-on. If you are unsure whether your personal auto insurance policy or credit card extends liability cover to a California hire, confirm with your insurer before declining this cover at the National counter.

Yes, one-way hires between National locations in California are generally possible, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on the route.

National operates 24 locations across California, including major airports such as LAX, SFO, SAN, OAK, SMF, SJC, BUR, LGB, ONT, SNA, PSP, SBA, FAT, and MRY, as well as some city and resort locations. This wide network makes one-way travel between California cities practical for many itineraries.

• Same-city airport to downtown: often no drop-off fee
• Between different California cities or airports: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by route, distance, and vehicle class
• The fee is shown under the "To pay at destination" section during booking and on your confirmation

The drop-off fee is paid at the National counter in California and cannot be prepaid through your booking. It is separate from fuel, tolls, and taxes. If you change your return location after booking, the hire may be re-priced and the drop-off fee recalculated. Always verify the fee on your confirmation before pickup to avoid surprises at the counter.

Most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is particularly relevant when driving in California, where some routes pass through remote areas such as the Sierra Nevada, the Mojave Desert, or the coastal ranges far from major cities.

Coverage typically includes:

• Medical assistance for up to 5 passengers (for non-pre-existing conditions and accidents)
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident
• Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

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

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

Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your location in California, and a brief description of the situation. Follow the coordinator's instructions before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorisation.

Important: this travel assistance benefit applies only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United Kingdom and Canada do not qualify for this cover. It also does not cover damage to the National hire vehicle (that is CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (that is LIS/ALI/SLI).

National hire cars in California follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the National agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Ask the agent for the nearest petrol stations to the return location

Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the National return location so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive. Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address as proof in case a fuel charge is disputed.

If you return the vehicle below the recorded starting level, National may charge you for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refuelling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. At California airport locations such as LAX and SFO, petrol stations are available near the hire car return areas.

For after-hours returns at locations that allow it, such as SFO, leave your fuel receipt in the vehicle and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone. The Full-to-Full policy applies regardless of whether you return during or after counter hours.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your National hire in California, either as part of your rate or for a fee paid at the counter.

Some rates include one additional driver at no extra cost. Check your booking confirmation for the line stating additional driver free of charge. If it is not included, National charges US$15 per day plus applicable taxes for each additional driver in California.

• The additional driver must be present at the National counter in California at pickup
• They must present a valid driver’s licence and any required ID documents
• They must sign the hire agreement to be covered by CDW/LDW and liability protections
• They must meet the minimum age requirements; a young-driver surcharge may apply if they are under 25

Only drivers listed on the National hire agreement in California are covered by the vehicle's insurance protections. If someone who is not named on the contract drives the vehicle, cover may be void and additional charges could apply. If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a National branch in California to update the agreement, as phone or chat requests are generally not sufficient to make this change.

Yes, California has FasTrak express lanes on several major motorways, and driving in them without a valid transponder or enrolment in a toll programme can result in violations and penalty charges on your National hire.

Express lanes in California that require FasTrak include:

• I-10 and I-110 in the Los Angeles area
• SR-91 in Orange and Riverside counties
• I-15 in San Diego County
• I-580 and I-680 in the Bay Area

Unlike standard toll roads where plate-based billing is an option, express lanes in California are designed for FasTrak transponder use. Solo drivers using express lanes without a transponder may receive a violation notice billed through the hire company, which typically adds high administrative processing fees on top of the toll amount.

Your National hire vehicle in California includes an electronic toll device. If you enrol in the National toll programme at pickup (approximately US$11 to US$25 per day), express lane usage is covered. If you opt out, you can add your hire vehicle's licence plate to a personal FasTrak account for the hire period to avoid violations. Inform the National counter agent in California if you plan to use your own FasTrak account so they can deactivate the vehicle's default device and prevent duplicate charges.

If you return your National hire car in California after the agreed drop-off time, additional charges may apply once the grace period has passed.

The standard grace period at National and most hire partners is approximately 30 minutes, though this is not guaranteed at every California location. If you exceed the grace period:

• You may be charged for additional hours or a full extra day, depending on how late the return is
• A late return fee may also apply on top of the extra time charge

If you know in advance that you will need the vehicle longer, contact the National location in California or request an extension through your booking before the original return time. Extending the hire in advance is generally less expensive than being charged for an unplanned late return.

For after-hours returns at California locations that allow it, such as SFO, park in the designated return area, leave the keys inside the unlocked vehicle, and keep a photo of the odometer and fuel gauge. Note that LAX does not offer after-hours key drop for National hires. Your liability for the vehicle continues until the National agent in California formally checks it in, so document the vehicle's condition at drop-off regardless of the time.