Van Hire
in Washington

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

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Washington 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 Washington 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 a van hire in Washington, you must present all of the following physical documents at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name
• A major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, used for the authorisation hold
• A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets if you are visiting from abroad

If your driver’s licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For all other non-English licences, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original licence. It is not valid on its own.

Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold on a van hire in Washington. Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined.

Yes, a major credit card is required to hire a van in Washington. The card must be in the main driver’s name with the driver’s name physically printed on the card, and it must be presented in person at the counter.

At pick-up, the hire partner places a temporary authorisation hold on your card. For a standard van hire in Washington, typical holds in the United States range from US$300 to US$400, though the amount can be higher for larger or premium van categories. This hold reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the hire ends, which can take up to 15 business days.

• Debit cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold
• Prepaid and virtual cards are not accepted
• Someone else’s card cannot be used, even if they are present
• Digital wallets such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are not accepted at the counter

Make sure your card is enabled for in-person transactions and that you have sufficient available credit to cover both the hold and any expected charges during your van hire in Washington.

Washington, D.C. itself has no toll roads within its boundaries, but van hires in Washington frequently encounter tolls when crossing into nearby Maryland or Virginia.

Common toll routes and approximate costs for hire vehicles using video toll rates include:

• Wilson Bridge (I-95/I-495, crossing between DC, Maryland, and Virginia): approximately US$6 to US$8 per crossing
• 495 Express Lanes on the Virginia side of the Beltway: US$4 to US$20 dynamically priced per segment during peak hours
• Dulles Toll Road and Greenway (connecting Washington to Dulles Airport): approximately US$5.75 to US$6.25 one way
• I-95 Express Lanes toward Baltimore: approximately US$8 to US$15 total

Nearly all toll facilities in the Washington area are cashless, meaning no cash booths exist. Vehicles are billed by licence plate camera or transponder. Your van hire will come equipped with an electronic toll device. At the counter you can choose an unlimited toll package (typically US$10.99 to US$25.99 per day) or a pay-per-use option (approximately US$4.95 to US$5.35 per usage day plus the actual toll amount). There are no congestion charges or emissions zones in Washington, D.C.

All van hire bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire in Washington and on nearby toll routes in Maryland and Virginia.

Because Washington area toll roads are fully cashless and charges often appear days after your hire ends, this benefit helps offset those costs after the fact.

To claim your cashback after returning your van in Washington:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number (for example, HOLA1000000)
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for your booking

The refund is issued to the same payment method used for your reservation and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your van hire rate; you still pay tolls normally and claim reimbursement afterwards.

Every van hire in Washington comes equipped with an electronic toll device, since virtually all toll facilities in the Washington, D.C. area and surrounding Maryland and Virginia highways are cashless with no cash booths.

At the counter you have two main options:

• Unlimited toll package: a flat daily rate of approximately US$10.99 to US$25.99 per day, covering all tolls regardless of how many you use
• Pay-per-use: approximately US$4.95 to US$5.35 per day that you use a toll road, plus the actual toll amount billed at the video toll rate, which can be 25% to 100% higher than the E-ZPass discounted rate

If you drive through a toll without enrolling in a programme, the hire company will automatically enrol your van in pay-per-use plate billing and charge the fees to your card, sometimes weeks after the hire ends. Unpaid tolls can also generate administrative fees of US$15 to US$30 per instance.

If you prefer to use your own E-ZPass transponder in your Washington van hire, inform the counter agent at pick-up and ask them to deactivate the vehicle’s default toll device to avoid duplicate charges.

Yes, you can pick up a van hire at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The process depends on which hire brand you have booked.

For brands such as Alamo and Enterprise, counters are located on the first floor of Terminal Garage A (2500 National Ave, Garage A, Arlington, VA 22202). After collecting your baggage, you can walk to Garage A, which takes approximately 10 minutes from Terminals A and B and about 15 minutes from Terminal C. Vehicles are located on the second floor of the garage, and self-service kiosks are available for faster check-in.

For brands such as Avis and Budget, the van hire counter is at an off-airport lot accessed by a dedicated shuttle. After baggage claim, proceed to the hire car shuttle area: the middle curb between Doors 1 and 2 in Terminal 1, or near Doors 3 and 8 in Terminal 2. Follow the purple signs for off-airport shuttles. Airport shuttles run 24 hours.

From the time you collect your baggage to driving away in your Washington van hire, allow approximately 30 to 60 minutes depending on shuttle frequency and counter wait times.

To return your van hire at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) in Washington, follow the hire car return signs directing you to Terminal Garage 1 or Garage A. Park in the designated section for your hire brand, such as the Enterprise or Alamo area on the designated floor.

For most brands, you leave the keys on the dashboard with the van unlocked and a staff member or kiosk will process the return. A short walk or shuttle ride will take you back to the terminal. Airport shuttles run 24 hours a day.

For after-hours returns of your Washington van hire:

• Enterprise and Alamo allow after-hours key drop on the dashboard
• Avis staff return from 4:30 AM; no returns are accepted between closing time and 4:30 AM, but an early shuttle to the terminal is available

Before returning your van in Washington, refuel within approximately 10 miles of the airport to comply with the full-to-full fuel policy and avoid refuelling charges. Keep your fuel receipt as proof in case of any dispute.

The minimum age to hire a van in Washington without a young-renter surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may hire in Washington but will be charged a daily young-renter surcharge, and van categories are specifically restricted for under-25 drivers.

Van and minivan vehicle classes are listed among the restricted categories that most hire partners reserve for drivers aged 25 and older. This means that if you are under 25, you may not be able to book a van hire in Washington regardless of the surcharge.

Young-renter surcharge amounts by partner (paid at the counter in Washington):

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: US$13 per hire day, capped at US$65
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: US$13.50 per hire day, capped at US$189
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: US$15 per day with no stated cap

Washington, D.C. is not in New York or Michigan, so the standard U.S. rule applies: the minimum age is set by the hire partner, and 25 is the common threshold. If you are between 21 and 24 and need a van in Washington, contact customer service before booking to confirm availability for your specific van category.

Yes, most van hire bookings made through Hola Car Rentals include Travel Assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can help in the event of an emergency or breakdown during your Washington van hire. However, this benefit does not apply to residents of the United States or Canada.

Coverage typically included with your Washington van hire:

• 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 experience an emergency while driving your van in Washington or on nearby highways in Maryland or Virginia, contact the assistance line immediately:

• Phone (toll-free or collect): +1 888 980 9992, available 24 hours a day
• WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
• Email: [email protected]

Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your current location, and a brief description of the situation. Always contact the assistance line before incurring expenses, as some reimbursements require prior authorisation. Check your booking confirmation for the exact coverage limits and terms that apply to your Washington van hire.

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

Check your booking confirmation for the line that reads "Additional driver free of charge." If it appears, the first additional driver is included. If it does not appear, the fees by partner are:

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

To add an additional driver to your Washington van hire at the counter:

• The additional driver must be present in person at pick-up
• They must present a valid driver’s licence and any required IDP
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement
• For Avis, Budget, and Payless, additional drivers must be at least 25 years old

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

Yes, one-way van hires in Washington are available, allowing you to pick up your van in Washington and return it to a different city or airport. However, a drop-off fee typically applies and the amount varies by route, hire partner, vehicle class, and season.

Key things to know about one-way van hires from Washington:

• The drop-off fee is shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section and will also appear on your booking confirmation
• This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid at the counter
• Routes between nearby cities in the same region may carry lower fees, while long-distance or cross-country one-ways typically carry higher fees
• Cross-border one-ways, such as from Washington to Canada, may be restricted or require special approval from the hire partner
• Changing your return location after booking may reprice the entire van hire and recalculate the drop-off fee

If the counter charges a drop-off fee that differs from what your confirmation shows for your Washington van hire, keep all paperwork and contact support. Hola Car Rentals' No Extra Charges© Coverage may apply if the fee was not disclosed at the time of booking.

The insurance and coverages included in your Washington van hire depend on the rate plan you selected at booking. Check your Hola Car Rentals confirmation for the specific protections listed.

Common coverages available for van hires in Washington:

• Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire van from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation states zero deductible
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people while driving the van in Washington. Some U.S. states require a minimum level of liability; not all do, so confirm whether this is included or optional on your rate

CDW/LDW and LIS/ALI/SLI are separate protections. CDW/LDW covers the hire van itself; LIS/ALI/SLI covers damage or injury to others. Neither covers your personal belongings or your own medical costs.

Important exclusions for your Washington van hire:

• Prohibited use such as off-road driving, racing, or driving under the influence voids cover
• Only drivers named on the hire agreement are covered
• Tires, undercarriage, and roof damage are often excluded unless a specific add-on is purchased

Van hires in Washington use a full-to-full fuel policy by default. You receive the van with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.

Steps to follow for your Washington van hire:

• At pick-up, 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 odometer and fuel gauge
• Use the correct fuel type as specified in the hire agreement; wrong-fuel incidents are not covered
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the return location at DCA or your drop-off point in Washington before returning the van
• Keep the fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• For after-hours returns, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge

If you return the van in Washington with less than a full tank, the hire partner 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. These charges are separate from the authorisation hold.

If the van was not full at pick-up, ask the agent to record the exact starting level on the agreement and return it at that same level to avoid any fuel charges.