Budget Car Hire
District of Columbia

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

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

Budget operates 7 locations across the District of Columbia, all within Washington, D.C. The most popular is the downtown counter at 1908 L Street NW, used by the majority of renters. Other city locations include 99 H Street NE at Union Station, 5911 Blair Rd NW, 4400 Connecticut Ave NW, 616 E Street NW in the Penn Quarter Garage, and 1072 Wisconsin Ave NW. A new location at 4215 Connecticut Ave NW is scheduled to open in late 2025.

For travellers arriving by air, Budget also has counters at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). At Reagan National, the Budget counter is located within the terminal with a short walk to the car park.

Counter hours vary by location. As a general guide:

• 1908 L St NW: Sunday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM
• 5911 Blair Rd NW: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM; weekends 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• 99 H St NE (Union Station): Sunday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM
• 4215 Connecticut Ave NW: Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM; Saturday from 8:00 AM; Sunday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Always confirm hours directly with your chosen Budget location in the District of Columbia before travel, as hours can change on holidays.

No, the District of Columbia itself has no toll roads within its boundaries. However, if you drive your Budget hire beyond D.C. into neighbouring Maryland or Virginia, you will encounter cashless toll roads where E-ZPass is the primary electronic toll system used across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Common toll routes near the District of Columbia include:

• Wilson Bridge (I-95/I-495 crossing between Maryland and Virginia): approximately US$6 to US$8 per crossing
• 495 Express Lanes on the Virginia side: dynamic pricing of roughly US$4 to US$20 per segment during peak hours
• Dulles Toll Road to or from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD): approximately US$5.75 to US$6.25 one way

Nearly all toll facilities in the area are fully cashless, meaning vehicles are billed by licence plate camera if no transponder is present. Your Budget hire vehicle comes equipped for E-ZPass-compatible electronic tolling.

At the Budget counter in the District of Columbia, you can choose a toll programme:

• Pay-per-use: approximately US$4.95 to US$5.35 per usage day plus the actual toll amount at video rates
• Unlimited daily pass: a flat daily fee covering all tolls for that day

If you drive a toll road without enrolling in a programme, Budget will automatically enrol you in pay-per-use plate billing and charge the applicable fees after your hire ends. There are no congestion charges or emissions zones in the District of Columbia.

To pick up your Budget hire car in the District of Columbia, you must present the following physical documents at the counter:

• A valid, original driver’s licence in the main driver’s name (photocopies and digital licences are not accepted)
• 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)
• 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 driver’s licence is not issued in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet such as 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 cannot be used as a standalone document.

For Budget hires in the District of Columbia, all documents must be physical originals. Name mismatches between your licence, passport, and credit card can cause problems at the counter, so verify that all names match before you travel.

Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Budget hires in the District of Columbia, include Tolls Cashback of up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire.

While the District of Columbia has no toll roads within its own boundaries, tolls apply when driving your Budget hire into nearby Maryland or Virginia on routes such as the Wilson Bridge, the 495 Express Lanes, or the Dulles Toll Road. Any tolls you pay on those routes are eligible for the cashback benefit.

To claim your Tolls Cashback after returning your Budget hire in the District of Columbia:

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation confirmation 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 issued to the same payment method used for your booking and typically processes within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted, so keep your toll receipts and submit promptly.

The minimum age to hire a Budget vehicle in the District of Columbia is 21 years old. Renters between the ages of 21 and 24 are subject to a daily young-renter surcharge and face restrictions on which vehicle classes they may hire.

For Budget hires in the District of Columbia, drivers aged 21 to 24 are generally limited to economy, compact, medium sedan, standard sedan, compact SUV, and medium SUV categories. Premium vehicles, luxury cars, full-size SUVs, minivans, and vans are typically restricted to renters aged 25 and older.

The standard young-renter surcharge for Budget in the United Kingdom is GBP 13 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum charge of GBP 65 plus taxes per hire period.

One important exception applies: if you are a citizen or resident of Latin America or the Caribbean and your Hola Car Rentals confirmation explicitly states that the underage fee is waived, you may qualify for a fee exemption on eligible Budget vehicle categories in the District of Columbia. You must present a passport or government ID proving your nationality or residency at the Budget counter to use this benefit.

Renters aged 25 and older pay no young-renter surcharge when picking up a Budget hire in the District of Columbia.

When you pick up your Budget hire in the District of Columbia, the counter agent will place a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge; it reduces your available credit until the hold is released after you return the vehicle.

For Budget hires in the United Kingdom, including the District of Columbia, the typical hold is approximately GBP 300 to GBP 400 for standard vehicle classes. Premium or specialised vehicles may carry a higher hold amount.

Key requirements for the deposit at Budget counters in the District of Columbia:

• A physical, major credit card with the driver’s name printed on the card, in the main driver’s name
• Sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted for the security deposit

After you return your Budget hire in the District of Columbia, the hold is released. Your bank or card issuer controls how quickly the funds appear back on your account, which can take up to 15 business days. Bringing a backup credit card in your name is always a good precaution in case your primary card is declined.

Yes, after-hours returns are available at some Budget locations in the District of Columbia, though not all locations offer this option. The downtown location at 1908 L Street NW has after-hours key drop returns available. Other District of Columbia locations, such as Union Station (99 H Street NE) and the Connecticut Avenue sites, do not specify after-hours drop options, so you should confirm directly with your chosen Budget location before your hire begins.

If you plan to use an after-hours key drop at a Budget location in the District of Columbia:

• Park the vehicle in the designated return area as instructed by the location
• Leave the key in the drop box provided
• Keep a photo of the fuel gauge showing a full tank and a photo of the vehicle's exterior condition
• Retain your fuel receipt from a station near the return location

Note that for after-hours returns, the hire agreement is not formally closed until a Budget agent inspects the vehicle the next business day. Keep all documentation until you receive your final receipt confirming no additional charges were applied to your District of Columbia hire.

Yes, Budget charges a young-renter surcharge for drivers aged 21 to 24 in the District of Columbia. The standard fee is GBP 13 per hire day plus applicable taxes, capped at a maximum of GBP 65 plus taxes for the hire period.

In addition to the surcharge, Budget in the District of Columbia restricts younger drivers to certain vehicle categories. Drivers aged 21 to 24 are generally limited to:

• Economy and compact cars
• Medium and standard sedans
• Compact and medium SUVs

Luxury vehicles, premium SUVs, minivans, full-size SUVs, and vans are typically reserved for renters aged 25 and older at Budget locations in the District of Columbia.

There is one exception worth noting: travellers from Latin America or the Caribbean who book an eligible Hola Car Rentals rate fulfilled by Budget may have the young-renter surcharge waived for the main driver. This waiver must appear explicitly on your booking confirmation, and you must present proof of Latin American or Caribbean nationality or residency at the Budget counter in the District of Columbia. This exception applies to the main driver only and does not extend to additional drivers aged 21 to 24.

Yes, most Hola Car Rentals bookings, including Budget hires in the District of Columbia, include travel assistance coverage provided by Terrawind Global Protection. This benefit is particularly useful if you experience a medical emergency or other travel disruption while driving in or around the District of Columbia.

Core benefits typically included are:

• 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

If you need assistance while driving your Budget hire in the District of Columbia or on surrounding highways in Maryland or Virginia, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day:

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

Provide your full name and your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number 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 Budget hire vehicle itself (that is handled by CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (covered by LIS/ALI/SLI). Always review your booking confirmation for the exact terms applicable to your District of Columbia hire.

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

To avoid fuel charges on your Budget hire in the District of Columbia:

• Check the fuel gauge with the Budget agent at pickup and confirm the starting level is recorded on your hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge at pickup
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles of your return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep your final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address
• Show the gauge at Full when you return the vehicle

If you return your Budget hire in the District of Columbia with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the partner's refuelling rate, which is typically higher than retail pump prices, plus a refuelling service fee.

For after-hours returns at Budget locations in the District of Columbia, leave the fuel receipt in the key drop envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge on your phone as evidence in case any dispute arises.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your Budget hire in the District of Columbia, but the additional driver must be present at the Budget counter at pickup with a valid driver’s licence to sign the hire agreement.

Whether the additional driver fee is included or charged at the counter depends on your rate:

• If your booking confirmation states the additional driver is included, no extra fee applies for the first additional driver
• If not included, Budget charges GBP 13 per hire day plus taxes, with a maximum of GBP 65 plus taxes for the hire period in the District of Columbia

Important rules for additional drivers on Budget hires in the District of Columbia:

• The additional driver must meet the same document requirements as the main driver
• For Budget, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old at pickup
• If the additional driver’s licence uses a non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is also required
• Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by the vehicle's protections such as CDW/LDW

If you need to add a driver after pickup, visit a Budget branch in the District of Columbia to update the agreement. Phone or chat requests alone are typically not sufficient to add a driver mid-hire.

When picking up a Budget hire in the District of Columbia, you will be offered several insurance and protection options at the counter. Understanding what each covers helps you avoid paying for duplicate cover.

The main options available for Budget hires in the District of Columbia are:

• Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW): reduces your financial liability for damage to the Budget hire vehicle from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation shows zero deductible. This does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
• Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI): covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving your Budget hire in the District of Columbia. Some U.S. states require a minimum level of liability, but coverage levels vary. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding supplemental liability up to US$300,000.
• Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): covers medical costs for you and your passengers in the event of an accident.

CDW/LDW and LIS/ALI/SLI are separate protections and should be considered together. If your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation already includes CDW/LDW, verify this on the hire agreement at the Budget counter in the District of Columbia before accepting any duplicate cover offered at the desk.

Yes, one-way hires are possible with Budget in the District of Columbia, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your return location. The fee is route-specific and varies by destination, vehicle class, and season.

General patterns for one-way Budget hires originating in the District of Columbia:

• Returning to another Budget location within the same city or metro area: often no drop-off fee
• Returning to a different city or state: a drop-off fee typically applies and will be shown under the "To pay at destination" section during your Hola Car Rentals booking
• Cross-border returns (for example, into Canada): may be restricted or carry higher fees depending on Budget's policies

The drop-off fee for your Budget hire in the District of Columbia is always disclosed during the booking process on the Hola Car Rentals website. Review the rate details page and your booking confirmation carefully to confirm whether a fee applies to your specific route.

This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid directly to Budget at the return location. If the counter charges a different amount than what appeared on your confirmation, keep all paperwork and contact Hola Car Rentals support, as the No Extra Charges© guarantee may apply if the fee was not properly disclosed.