Van Hire
in Chicago

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

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

All van hire brands at Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) operate from the centralised Multi-Modal Facility (MMF) at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd., Chicago, IL 60666.

After landing, follow these steps:

• Exit your terminal and follow signs to baggage claim, then look for the Airport Transit System (ATS), a free automated people mover
• Ride the ATS to the MMF / Rental Cars stop, which serves Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 5 around the clock
• The journey takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes; allow a few extra minutes for station walks and lifts
• Inside the MMF, follow signage to your brand counter to complete your van hire agreement and collect your keys

Before driving off, inspect the van for any pre-existing damage and ask the agent to note it on the hire agreement. Bring your physical credit card, driver’s licence, and booking confirmation to the counter.

Yes, Chicago enforces strict van-specific restrictions that differ significantly from most other US cities, and every van hire driver should be aware of them before heading into the city.

• Most commercial vans are banned from residential streets citywide. Non-commercial vans under 8,000 lbs GVWR may be permitted in certain areas, but only with a city wheel tax emblem and in designated ward zones
• Vans 6 feet tall or taller are prohibited within 20 feet of pedestrian crossings, alleys, driveways, and fire lanes throughout Chicago
• Street parking requires the vehicle to be within 12 inches of the kerb, which is stricter than many other US cities
• Commercial van operators need a special permit issued by the local alderman, and these are limited to one per owner

These rules apply ward by ward, so restrictions can vary block by block. If your Chicago van hire is a larger or taller model, plan your stops carefully and consider using suburban or off-street locations when possible to avoid fines or towing.

Chicago operates one of the most extensive speed camera networks in the United States, and van hire drivers need to be especially careful in school and park zones throughout the city.

• Cameras issue a US$35 fine for driving 6 to 10 mph over the posted limit in designated Children's Safety Zones, which extend 1/8 mile around schools and parks
• Driving 11 mph or more over the limit triggers a US$100 fine
• Cameras operate on school days from 7 AM to 7 PM near schools, and from 6 AM to 11 PM near parks, including weekends and late nights
• Active camera hotspots include the Southeast Side, Beverly, North Park, and areas around Garfield and Douglass Parks on the West Side
• Dozens of new camera locations were activated in 2025, including W Grand Ave, W Logan Blvd, and S Archer Ave

Fines are linked to the vehicle registration and will be billed to the hire company, which will then charge your credit card along with an administrative fee. Drive at or below posted limits throughout your Chicago van hire, particularly near schools and parks.

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

Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area have several active toll roads, including the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Illinois Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294), the Ronald Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), and the Chicago Skyway (I-90/I-94 toward Indiana). Tolls on these routes range from a few dollars to over US$47 on the Skyway depending on vehicle type and time of day.

To claim your cashback after returning your van:

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

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

Illinois toll roads use a mix of electronic transponders and cashless plate-based billing, so your Chicago van hire will encounter tolls on several major routes without traditional cash booths.

The main toll systems in Illinois are I-Pass and E-ZPass. For hire drivers, the two practical options are:

• Hire company toll programme: brands such as Avis, Budget, and National offer a daily unlimited toll pass, typically priced around US$11.99 per hire day at Chicago airport locations. This covers all tolls incurred that day but adds up quickly on days you do not use toll roads
• Pay-by-plate: if you decline the hire company programme, cameras automatically read your van's registration number and bill tolls at the standard plate rate, which is slightly higher than the I-Pass discounted rate but avoids daily service fees

If you drive a toll road without enrolling in any programme, the toll is still recorded and eventually billed to the hire company, which will charge your card plus an administrative fee. Ignoring toll bills can lead to escalating penalties. Illinois has no congestion charges or city-centre driving fees beyond the toll roads listed above.

To pick up your van hire in Chicago, 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 uses a non-Latin alphabet such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory and must be carried alongside the original licence
• 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
• Round-trip flight tickets or itinerary showing your return date (required for international visitors)

All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the counter. If your licence is in English or issued by an EU/EEA country but uses the Latin alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly mandatory. Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling, as US issuers do not issue IDPs to non-US licences.

Yes, van hire in Chicago is subject to age restrictions that are stricter than those for standard car classes.

In the United States, the minimum age to hire without a surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may hire but will be charged a daily young-hirer surcharge, and most hire partners restrict van and minivan categories to drivers aged 25 and older. This means that if you are under 25, you may not be able to book a van in Chicago regardless of the surcharge.

• Drivers 25 and older: no age surcharge, full access to van categories
• Drivers 21 to 24: young-hirer surcharge applies daily; van and minivan classes are typically restricted and may not be available
• Drivers under 21: generally not eligible to hire in Illinois outside of New York and Michigan exceptions, which do not apply in Chicago

If you are between 21 and 24 and need a van in Chicago, contact customer service before booking to confirm whether any eligible van category is available for your age group at your chosen location.

When you pick up your van in Chicago, the hire company will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card as a security deposit. This is not a charge but it reduces your available credit until the hire is concluded and your bank releases the hold.

For standard vehicles in the United States, typical holds range from US$300 to US$400. For a van, which is a larger vehicle class, the hold may be higher depending on the brand, location, and hire duration. Airport locations such as O'Hare may apply different amounts than downtown Chicago locations.

• Only a physical, major credit card in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name printed on the card is accepted for the deposit
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted
• After returning the van, the hold is released, but your bank may take up to 15 working days to reflect the release

Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined, and notify your bank of your travel dates to prevent fraud blocks on in-person authorisations in Chicago.

Most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be valuable if an unexpected situation arises during your Chicago van hire, such as a medical emergency on the motorway or a flight disruption before or after your trip.

Core benefits typically include:

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

This coverage applies only to non-North American customers. Residents of the United States and Canada do not qualify for this benefit.

If you need assistance during your Chicago van hire, contact Terrawind 24/7 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. Travel assistance does not cover damage to the van itself (that is CDW/LDW) or liability to third parties (that is LIS/ALI/SLI). Review your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your reservation.

The insurance included with your Chicago van hire depends on the rate plan selected at booking. It is important to understand what each coverage type protects before you arrive at the counter.

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the van from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero deductible. Tyres, undercarriage, and roof are commonly excluded
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people or vehicles while driving the van in Chicago. Some US states require a minimum level of liability; Illinois renters are strongly encouraged to add supplementary liability cover

CDW/LDW and LIS/ALI/SLI are separate protections. CDW/LDW covers the van itself; LIS/ALI/SLI covers others. Neither covers your personal injuries or belongings.

Review your booking confirmation before arriving in Chicago to confirm which coverages are included and whether any deductible applies. All drivers must be listed on the hire agreement for cover to be valid.

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

At pickup, 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.

When returning your van in Chicago:

• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location, whether that is the O'Hare MMF at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd. or a centre in Chicago
• Keep your fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• Take a photo of the full gauge before handing over the keys

If you return the van below the recorded starting level, the hire company may charge you for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee. For after-hours returns in Chicago, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge as your record.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your van hire in Chicago, either as an included benefit or for a daily fee paid at the counter, depending on your rate plan.

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

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

The additional driver must be present at the Chicago pickup counter with a valid driver’s licence and any required IDP. They must sign the hire agreement. Only drivers listed on the agreement are covered by the van’s insurance protections. For Avis, Budget, and Payless, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old at pickup. If the additional driver is under 25, a young-hirer surcharge may apply or they may not be accepted depending on the Chicago location's rules.

Yes, renting a van at Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) includes several location-specific charges on top of the base van hire rate. These are standard airport surcharges and are not unique to any one brand.

• Concession recovery fee: typically US$10 to US$15 per day, charged by hire companies to recover the cost of operating at the airport
• Customer facility charge (CFC): approximately US$4.50 per day, covering the cost of the Multi-Modal Facility at 10255 W. Zemke Blvd.
• City vehicle tax: 6% on the gross hire amount
• Cook County use tax: 1%

Combined, airport-specific surcharges at Chicago O'Hare can add 15% to 25% on top of the base van hire rate. If you want to reduce these fees, off-airport locations such as centres in downtown Chicago operated by Enterprise, Budget, or Avis typically avoid the concession and facility charges, though they have more limited hours and may not carry the same van inventory as the airport MMF. Your booking confirmation will show which fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are due at the Chicago pickup counter.