SUV Hire
in British Columbia

EASTER  45% OFF   

Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car hire companies in British Columbia, 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 British Columbia.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in British Columbia 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 British Columbia 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 an SUV hire in British Columbia, you must bring the following physical documents to the counter:

• A valid, unexpired 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 photo ID (required for international visitors)
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher

If your driver’s licence is not in English or French, you must also present an International Driving Permit (IDP). 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.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies, screenshots, or virtual wallets are not accepted at any SUV hire counter in British Columbia.

You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to hire an SUV in British Columbia if your driver’s licence is not in English or French, or if it uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script.

If your licence is in English or French, an IDP is not mandatory, though it is recommended as it can make the SUV hire process smoother. Hire partners in British Columbia accept valid foreign licences that meet the language requirement.

Important points to keep in mind:

• The IDP is a translation document only, not a standalone licence. You must carry both your IDP and your original licence at all times.
• Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling. It cannot be issued abroad.
• All documents presented at the counter must be physical originals. Digital versions are not accepted.

Several major hire brands offer on-site SUV pickup and return at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia. The brands operating directly at YVR include Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.

All of these brands have dedicated airport zones for SUV vehicle pickup and return, so you do not need to take a shuttle to an off-site location when hiring at YVR. This makes YVR one of the most convenient SUV hire hubs in British Columbia, with the largest selection of SUV classes available, from compact SUVs to full-size models.

If you are hiring an SUV in other cities across British Columbia, Enterprise also operates at locations in Victoria, Kelowna, Penticton, Prince George, Nanaimo, and other cities. Availability of SUV classes outside Vancouver may be more limited, so booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially for AWD models during winter or peak travel periods.

British Columbia has very few toll roads. The Port Mann Bridge, located in the Vancouver area, is currently the only tolled crossing in the province. All other major highways in British Columbia, including the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Kamloops, are toll-free. The Coquihalla tolls were removed in 2008.

The Port Mann Bridge uses a fully cashless tolling system. There are no cash lanes. Charges are captured electronically via licence plate photo and billed to the registered vehicle owner or hire company.

If you are hiring an SUV in British Columbia and plan to cross the Port Mann Bridge, you have two options:

• Enroll in your hire company’s toll programme at pickup. Enterprise, for example, offers TollPass, which charges a convenience fee of US$3.95 to US$4.95 per day, capped at US$30 per hire period. Hertz offers a similar service called PlatePass.
• If you do not enrol, the toll authority will invoice the hire company, which will then charge you the toll amount plus administrative fees, typically billed 4 to 6 weeks after you return the SUV.

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

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 SUV hire in British Columbia.

In British Columbia, the only tolled crossing is the Port Mann Bridge near Vancouver. If you cross it in your SUV and pay the toll, you can submit a claim after returning the vehicle.

To claim your Tolls Cashback:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning your SUV
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - followed by your reservation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking 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 British Columbia SUV booking totals GBP 600, the maximum cashback is GBP 30. Refunds are issued to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted.

Yes, AWD (all-wheel drive) SUVs are available for hire in British Columbia, and they are strongly recommended for certain conditions and routes in the province.

British Columbia's terrain includes mountain highways, gravel forest service roads, steep grades, and coastal roads that receive over 1,100 mm of rainfall annually in the Vancouver area. An AWD SUV provides significantly better traction and stability on wet roads, snow, and unpaved surfaces compared to a standard two-wheel-drive vehicle.

AWD SUVs are particularly useful if you plan to drive:

• Mountain routes such as the Sea-to-Sky Highway towards Whistler
• Gravel forest service roads leading to trailheads across British Columbia
• Higher-elevation areas during winter months when snow and ice are common

Because AWD SUV inventory in British Columbia is limited and demand is high during winter and peak travel seasons, it is important to book as early as possible to secure availability. Note that hire companies guarantee a vehicle class, not a specific model, so confirm AWD availability with the counter agent at pickup if it is essential for your trip.

When you pick up an SUV hire in British Columbia, the hire company will place a temporary authorisation hold on your major credit card. This hold is not a charge but reduces your available credit until it is released after you return the vehicle.

For hires in Canada, typical security deposit holds range from approximately GBP 180 to GBP 300. Some locations in British Columbia may require a hold of up to GBP 450, particularly for larger or premium SUV classes.

Important requirements for the deposit:

• The credit card must be a major credit card (not debit or prepaid) in the main driver’s name, with the driver’s name printed on the physical card
• Digital wallets, virtual cards, and someone else’s card are not accepted
• You must have sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges

After you return the SUV, the hold is released. Your bank or card issuer controls when the funds become available again, which can take up to 15 business days. Bringing a backup credit card is recommended in case your primary card is declined at the counter in British Columbia.

Yes, drivers under 25 years old typically face an additional young driver surcharge when hiring an SUV in British Columbia. The exact amount varies by hire brand.

As a general guide for SUV hires in British Columbia:

• Budget charges approximately GBP 22 per day for drivers aged 21 to 24, in addition to the base hire rate
• National Car Rental requires drivers aged 21 to 24 to present a valid credit card and may conduct a driving record screening, with applicable surcharges depending on the location
• Minimum hire age is typically 21 at most British Columbia locations, though some brands may allow drivers as young as 18 with higher surcharges

These surcharges are paid directly at the counter and are not included in your prepaid rate. If you are adding an additional driver to your SUV hire in British Columbia who is under 25, a young driver surcharge may also apply to them. Always confirm the exact surcharge amount with the hire brand at pickup, as rates can vary by location within British Columbia.

Most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be especially valuable when driving an SUV through British Columbia's remote mountain areas, forest service roads, or coastal highways far from major cities.

The travel assistance coverage typically includes:

• Medical coverage for up to 5 passengers during the trip
• Legal assistance in the event of an accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This coverage does not include damage to the hire SUV itself (that is handled by CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/ALI/SLI). It also does not apply to pre-existing medical conditions.

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

Important: this benefit applies only to non-North American customers. Canadian and US residents do not qualify for this travel assistance coverage on their British Columbia SUV hire.

SUV hires in British Columbia follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the SUV with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.

To avoid fuel charges on your British Columbia SUV hire:

• Check the fuel gauge with the agent at pickup and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge at pickup
• 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

If you return the SUV with less than a full tank, the hire company may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a refuelling service fee.

Full-size SUVs are less fuel-efficient than smaller vehicles, particularly in urban driving around Vancouver. Budgeting for fuel costs is especially important for longer drives across British Columbia, such as routes to Whistler or the interior of the province.

SUV hires in British Columbia are subject to several provincial and federal taxes and fees that may be due at pickup or included in your prepaid rate depending on how you booked.

Common taxes and fees applied to SUV hires in British Columbia include:

• Passenger Vehicle Rental Tax (PVRT): GBP 1.10 per day (or portion thereof) for hires over 8 hours
• Provincial Sales Tax (PST): 7% to 10% depending on the fair market value of the SUV. Vehicles valued under GBP 40,000 are taxed at 7%, while higher-value SUVs attract higher PST rates
• Goods and Services Tax (GST): 5% federal tax applied to the hire

Your booking confirmation will show which taxes and fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are due at the counter in British Columbia. If your confirmation states that taxes and fees are included, you should not be billed again at the counter. If you are charged for something not disclosed on your confirmation, the No Extra Charges© guarantee may apply. Review your confirmation carefully before pickup to avoid surprises at the British Columbia SUV hire counter.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your SUV hire in British Columbia, either as an included benefit or for an extra fee depending on your rate.

Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads Additional driver free of charge. If it appears, the first additional driver is included at no extra cost. If it does not appear, fees apply at the counter:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: approximately GBP 10 per day plus taxes, capped at GBP 50 plus taxes
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: approximately GBP 13 per day plus taxes, capped at GBP 180 plus taxes
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: approximately GBP 14 per day plus taxes

Requirements for adding a driver to your British Columbia SUV hire:

• The additional driver must be present at pickup with a valid driver’s licence and, if applicable, an IDP
• They must meet the minimum age requirement for the hire location
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement

Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW. Anyone not named on the contract who drives the SUV in British Columbia may void your cover.

The best SUV size for your British Columbia hire depends on where you plan to drive.

For road trips outside Vancouver, such as routes to Whistler, Vancouver Island, the Sea-to-Sky Highway, or the interior of British Columbia, a full-size or standard SUV is a strong choice. These vehicles offer higher ground clearance (typically 20 to 30 cm more than a saloon), available AWD for mountain highways and gravel forest service roads, and more cargo space for gear and luggage.

For driving primarily within downtown Vancouver or other urban areas in British Columbia, a compact SUV is more practical. Larger SUVs can be challenging to manoeuvre on narrow streets, one-way roads, and in tight parking structures common in Vancouver, Burnaby, and Richmond. Compact models with shorter wheelbases handle urban environments more easily.

Key considerations when choosing your SUV hire in British Columbia:

• Book AWD early if you plan mountain or winter driving, as availability is limited during peak seasons
• Full-size SUVs are less fuel-efficient, which matters on longer drives across British Columbia
• Hire companies guarantee a vehicle class, not a specific model, so the exact SUV you receive may vary