Van Hire in Detroit

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

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Detroit 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 Detroit 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 major van hire brands at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) operate from a single consolidated Rental Car Centre located at the north-east corner of the airport along Lucas Drive (338 Lucas Drive, Detroit, MI 48242). You do not go to separate brand counters inside the terminals.

After collecting your baggage, follow the Ground Transportation signs to the lower level of your terminal. A shared courtesy shuttle runs frequent loops between both the McNamara Terminal and the Evans Terminal (North Terminal) and the Rental Car Centre. Shuttle stops are clearly marked near the baggage claim exits.

The shuttle ride takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes from the closest terminal and around 11 minutes from the farthest terminal. Standard counter hours run from 5:30 AM to 11:59 PM daily. After-hours van returns are available: drive to the hire vehicle facilities, follow the return signs for your brand, and a shuttle will take you back to your terminal's Ground Transportation Centre.

Michigan has a limited number of toll facilities, so driving a van in and around Detroit is largely toll-free on motorways. The main toll points you may encounter are:

• Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario via I-75): US$6.50 per crossing, or US$5.75 with the Nexpress app. This tunnel is cashless, so cash is not accepted.
• Mackinac Bridge (on I-75, if you travel north): US$4 for a standard 2-axle vehicle.
• Grosse Ile Toll Bridge: US$3 to US$7 depending on payment method.

No E-ZPass or similar statewide electronic toll network operates in Michigan. Your van hire will typically come equipped with a toll transponder. At the counter you can enrol in an optional toll programme (pay-per-use with daily fees of US$3.95 to US$10.99, or an unlimited daily pass at US$10.99 to US$25.99 per day). If you skip enrolment and drive through a cashless toll, the hire company will bill the toll plus an administrative fee to your card after the hire ends.

Note that larger vans may be classified as multi-axle vehicles at some facilities, which can result in higher toll rates than those listed for standard 2-axle cars. Confirm your van's axle classification at the counter.

To collect your van hire in Detroit, bring the following physical documents to the counter:

• A valid, original driving licence in the main driver’s name (not a digital copy).
• 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-issued photo ID (required for international visitors).
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher.
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad.

If your driving licence uses a non-Latin alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Cyrillic, etc.), you must also carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original licence. The IDP is a translation only and is not valid without the original licence. Obtain it in your home country before travelling, as U.S. issuers do not issue IDPs to non-U.S. licence holders.

All documents must be physical originals. Digital versions shown on a phone or tablet will not be accepted at the Detroit van hire counter.

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

Detroit-area toll facilities include the cashless Detroit-Windsor Tunnel (US$6.50 per crossing) and, if you travel further afield, the Mackinac Bridge and Grosse Ile Toll Bridge. Any tolls you pay out of pocket during your hire period are eligible for the cashback claim.

To claim after returning your van in Detroit:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of the vehicle’s return.
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA[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 capped at 5% of your booking total. For example, if your booking total is US$600, the maximum cashback is US$30. If you paid US$18 in tolls, you receive US$18 back. Refunds are issued to the original payment method within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Submissions received after 30 days are not accepted.

Michigan state law prohibits age discrimination in public services, which means hire companies at Detroit locations are required to hire to licensed drivers aged 18 and older. However, a young-driver surcharge applies to drivers under 25.

There is an important vehicle-class restriction to be aware of for your Detroit van hire: minivans and full-size vans are typically restricted to drivers aged 25 and older across most hire brands. If you are between 18 and 24, you may not be eligible to hire a van category specifically, even though you can hire smaller vehicle classes.

If you are aged 21 to 24 and booking with Avis or Budget, a young-driver fee waiver may be available for certain vehicle categories if you are a citizen or resident of Latin America or the Caribbean and the waiver is explicitly shown on your booking confirmation. This exception does not extend to van or minivan categories.

Always confirm age eligibility for the specific van class you want before completing your Detroit booking, as counter staff apply the rules shown on your hire agreement.

Yes, Detroit has height restrictions in many parking garages and underpasses that can directly affect your van hire. Standard minivans such as the Chrysler Pacifica or Dodge Grand Caravan typically clear most garage entrances, but larger cargo vans and 15-passenger vans often exceed common clearance limits and may be blocked from entering multi-storey garages entirely.

When driving a larger van hire in Detroit, keep these points in mind:

• Check the posted clearance height before entering any parking structure. Many downtown Detroit garages have clearances of 6 feet 2 inches or lower, which will block full-size vans.
• Oversized vans may require designated oversized vehicle spaces, which are less common in dense urban areas of Detroit.
• Certain underpasses on Detroit surface streets also carry height restrictions, so plan your route accordingly if driving a tall van.
• Weight limits apply to some roads, bridges, and tunnels in the Detroit area, including sections of I-75.

Before setting out in your Detroit van hire, confirm the vehicle's exact height and weight with the hire counter agent so you can plan routes and parking that accommodate your specific van model.

When you pick up your van hire in Detroit, the hire counter will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge; it reduces your available credit until the hire is closed and your bank releases the hold.

For standard vehicles in the United States, typical holds range from US$300 to US$400. For larger van categories, the hold may be higher depending on the brand, location, and hire duration. The exact amount is set by the hire partner at the counter.

Key requirements for the deposit on your Detroit van hire:

• A physical, major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, in the main driver’s name. Digital wallets, virtual cards, and prepaid cards are not accepted.
• Sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges.
• The card must be enabled for in-person transactions. If your bank applies international transaction controls, set a travel notice before arriving in Detroit.

After returning your van, the hold is released by the hire company. Your bank or card issuer controls when it reappears in your available credit, which can take up to 15 working days. Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined at the Detroit counter.

Most bookings include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection at no extra cost. This benefit is relevant if you experience a medical emergency or other covered incident while driving your van in Detroit or on Michigan roads.

Coverage typically includes:

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

If you need assistance during your Detroit van hire, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorisation:

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

Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number (format: HOLA1000000), your location, and a description of the situation ready when you call.

Important: this travel assistance benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada. It also does not cover damage to the van itself (that is handled by CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/ALI/SLI). Check your booking confirmation for the exact terms applicable to your Detroit van hire.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory for your Detroit van hire if your driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script. In that case, you must carry both your original licence and the IDP together at all times.

If your licence is printed in the Latin (Roman) alphabet, an IDP is recommended but not strictly required at most Detroit hire counters. However, individual hire brands may apply stricter rules, so carrying one is always a safe precaution.

Key points about the IDP for your Detroit van hire:

• The IDP is a translation document only. It is not a standalone licence and will not be accepted without your original licence.
• Obtain your IDP in your home country before travelling. U.S. organisations such as AAA do not issue IDPs to non-U.S. licence holders.
• All documents presented at the Detroit hire counter must be physical originals. Digital copies are not accepted.
• International visitors must also present a valid passport alongside their licence and IDP.

If you are unsure whether your licence qualifies, check with the hire brand listed on your booking confirmation before arriving in Detroit.

Hiring a van at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) adds several fees on top of the base rate. These are standard charges applied to all airport van hires in Detroit and are not unique to any single brand.

• Customer Facility Charge (CFC): approximately US$4.50 to US$5.00 per hire day, covering the consolidated Rental Car Centre at 338 Lucas Drive.
• Concession Recovery Fee: typically 8% to 10% of the base rate, reflecting the airport's concession agreement with hire brands.
• Wayne County vehicle hire taxes: approximately 4% to 6% of the base rate.

In total, airport surcharges and taxes on a Detroit van hire commonly add 20% to 30% above the advertised base rate. Your booking confirmation will show which fees are prepaid and which are payable at the Detroit counter under the To Pay at Destination section.

If you want to reduce these fees, off-airport van hire locations in nearby Romulus or Dearborn (5 to 10 miles from DTW) skip the airport concession charge and can be 15% to 25% cheaper. However, you will need transport to reach those locations after landing. Weigh the cost saving against the convenience of the on-airport Rental Car Centre when planning your Detroit van hire.

Detroit van hire counters typically offer a range of minivan and full-size van models, though the exact vehicle is not guaranteed and a similar substitute may be provided if your booked model is unavailable.

Common minivan models available in Detroit include:

• Chrysler Pacifica
• Dodge Grand Caravan
• Toyota Sienna

Full-size cargo and passenger vans available in Detroit may include:

• Ford Transit
• Chevrolet Express

Minivans in Detroit typically seat 7 to 8 passengers, while full-size vans can accommodate more passengers or larger cargo loads. Note that full-size vans are subject to height restrictions in many Detroit parking garages and some underpasses, so confirm your van's dimensions at the counter before driving into the city.

Vehicle availability varies by season and demand. To secure the van category you need for your Detroit trip, booking in advance is recommended, particularly during summer months when van hire demand in Detroit peaks. Your booking confirmation will show the vehicle category reserved, not a guaranteed specific model.

Your Detroit van hire uses a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the van with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

Follow these steps to avoid extra fuel costs on your Detroit van hire:

• 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.
• During the hire: use the correct fuel type for your van. Check the fuel cap or ask the agent whether your Detroit van requires regular petrol or diesel.
• Before return: refuel within approximately 10 miles of the Rental Car Centre at 338 Lucas Drive, Detroit, so the gauge does not drop below full before you arrive. Keep the receipt showing the station address, date, and time.
• At return: show the gauge at Full and keep your receipt in case a fuel charge appears on your statement later.

If you return the van to Detroit with less than a full tank, the hire company will charge for the fuel shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than pump prices, plus a service fee. For after-hours van returns at Detroit DTW, leave the fuel receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge as your record.

Yes, Michigan has specific speed enforcement rules that differ from many other U.S. states and are worth knowing before driving a van in Detroit.

Key enforcement points for Detroit van hire drivers:

• Construction zone speed cameras: Michigan has activated speed cameras in MDOT work zones, but only when workers are physically present. Signage appears approximately 1 mile before the camera zone. Fines are US$150 for a second offence and US$300 for a third offence. A first offence results in a warning notice only.
• Red light cameras: Detroit does not use red light cameras for routine traffic enforcement. Traffic light cameras in the city monitor only criminal activity and are not used to issue standard moving violations.
• Highway speeds: Michigan motorways allow up to 70 mph. Vans have longer braking distances than standard cars at these speeds, so allow extra following distance when driving your Detroit van hire on I-75 and other motorways.

There are no congestion charges, emissions zones, or city-centre driving fees in Detroit or anywhere in Michigan. Your van hire is not subject to any daily urban access fee of the kind found in some European cities.