Quick Summary:
- Carry your driving licence, rental agreement, and proof of insurance every time.
- A passport copy can help, but it is not a legal substitute.
- Keep your original passport locked away unless you must show it.
- If stopped, stay calm, show licence first, then rental documents.
When you are driving a hire car in the United States, it is natural to wonder whether you must keep your passport on you at all times. The short, practical answer is that most drivers do not need to carry their original passport while driving, but you do need to be able to identify yourself and prove you are legally driving that vehicle. For visitors, the simplest approach is to carry the documents that police actually ask for at the roadside, and keep high risk identity documents secured unless a specific situation requires them.
This guide focuses on what to keep with you versus locked away, what you can show if you are stopped, and how to reduce the risk of identity theft while still staying prepared.
Is it legally required to carry your passport when driving?
In the United States, roadside traffic stops are governed by state law and standard police procedure. For drivers, the key requirement is typically a valid driving licence and, depending on the state and circumstances, evidence of insurance and vehicle registration. A passport is not usually a required driving document for tourists.
That said, you may have reasons to carry a passport on certain days, for example if you will need it to enter a secure building, check into accommodation that requires it, or complete an age verification where a foreign driving licence is not accepted. Those are practical needs rather than driving requirements.
If you arranged your car hire in advance, you will likely have presented your passport at collection. After you have the vehicle, the documents most relevant during a stop are your licence and the rental paperwork.
What to keep with you in the car
To minimise friction if you are stopped, keep the items below in the vehicle, ideally together in a slim document wallet. Do not leave them visible on the seat or dashboard.
1) Your driving licence
Carry the physical licence you used to rent the car. If your licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit can be useful, and in some states it can be expected even if not always enforced. The safest approach is to carry both if you have them.
2) Your rental agreement
This shows you are authorised to drive the vehicle and lists the rental company details. Many agreements include a page that is intended for roadside checks. If you booked through Hola Car Rentals, your confirmation and the agreement you receive at pick up are the key pieces to keep handy. For general information about car hire options in the destination, see car rental United States.
3) Proof of insurance or coverage information
In the US, insurance expectations vary by state, and rental coverage can be structured several ways. Your agreement may list liability coverage and optional protections. If your cover is through a separate travel policy or credit card benefit, keep a summary note and policy number accessible, but do not hand over unnecessary personal documents at the roadside unless asked.
4) A secondary ID option
A photocopy of your passport photo page, or a clear image stored offline on your phone, can help confirm your identity if you misplace another document. It is not the same as carrying the original passport, but it can be useful in practical situations. If you do store images on your phone, protect them with a strong passcode and keep them in a secure folder.
What to lock away or keep on your person instead
Your original passport is often the highest value identity document you carry, and it is difficult and stressful to replace on a trip. Unless you expect to need it that day, many travellers prefer to keep it locked away, for example in a hotel safe, a locked suitcase, or a secure travel pouch kept out of sight in accommodation.
Leaving a passport in an unattended car is usually a poor choice. Vehicles are common targets for opportunistic theft, especially in tourist areas and at trailheads. Even if the car is locked, a break in can happen quickly.
If you are staying somewhere without a safe, consider carrying the passport on your person in a concealed, zippered wallet when you genuinely need it, rather than leaving it in the vehicle. The goal is to avoid the two worst outcomes, losing it in a roadside incident or having it stolen from the car.
Is a passport copy enough if you are stopped?
For most routine traffic stops, the officer wants to confirm you are licensed to drive and that the vehicle is properly authorised and insured. A passport copy can be helpful context, but it does not replace a driving licence. If you can provide your licence and rental documents, you will usually be in good shape.
If you cannot produce your licence, a passport copy may help establish your identity while the officer checks records, but it does not fix the underlying issue of driving without having your licence available. In many states, failing to carry your licence while driving can result in a citation even if you are licensed.
So think of a passport copy as a backup identity aid, not as your primary roadside document.
What to do if police stop you in a hire car
Traffic stops can feel intimidating, especially in a new country. A calm, structured approach helps.
Pull over safely and stay visible
Signal, pull over to a safe spot, and stop. At night, consider switching on interior lights. Keep your hands visible on the wheel, and ask before reaching into glove boxes or bags.
Provide the standard documents first
Typically, you will be asked for your driving licence and the rental agreement, and sometimes proof of insurance. Hand over what is requested. Avoid offering extra documents that are not relevant, because it can slow the interaction and increase the risk of misplacing something.
Explain clearly if a document is stored elsewhere
If your passport is locked away at your accommodation, say so simply. If you have a copy, you can mention it as a supporting item, but focus on the documents that are required for driving.
Do not consent to unnecessary access to your phone
If you have a passport image on your phone, you can show it on screen if it helps. You do not need to hand your phone over unless required. Keep the interaction polite and straightforward.
Know who is authorised to drive
The driver should match the authorised driver on the agreement. If you are travelling as a group, make sure additional drivers are properly added. If you are comparing suppliers and policies before your trip, Hola’s destination pages can help you understand common requirements, including car hire United States and van hire United States.
Identity protection tips for travellers using car hire
Car hire trips often involve moving between airports, hotels, parking garages, and attractions, which increases the chance of losing or exposing documents. These steps reduce risk without making travel inconvenient.
Carry less, but carry the right things
Keep your licence and rental paperwork with you when driving. Keep your passport stored securely unless you need it that day. This reduces the impact if your day bag goes missing.
Make a high quality copy set
Have a paper copy of your passport photo page and visa or entry stamp page if applicable. Keep a second copy separately in your luggage. Store a digital copy offline, not just in email, so you can access it without logging into accounts on a public network.
Use a dedicated document pouch
A slim pouch that stays in one place, for example inside a zipped compartment of your bag, helps prevent documents being scattered between pockets, glove boxes, and console storage.
Be careful with glove box storage
Some drivers store the rental agreement in the glove box for convenience. That is fine, but do not store your passport there. If you will use the glove box, keep only the documents you would be comfortable replacing quickly.
Watch out for hotel photocopy requests
Hotels may request ID at check in. Ask whether a driving licence is acceptable, and if a passport is required, present it and put it away immediately. Avoid leaving it at reception longer than necessary.
Know what you actually need for flights
Domestic flights within the US have ID requirements that can differ for non US citizens. If you are flying the same day as you drive, you may genuinely need your passport with you, which changes the best practice. When that happens, keep it on your person, not in the car.
Common situations where you might need the original passport
Even if you do not need a passport to drive, you may need it for related travel tasks. Plan those days so you are not tempted to leave it in the car.
Picking up the vehicle
At collection, staff may need to verify your passport and match it to the booking and payment method. If you are choosing between brands, you can compare information pages such as Hertz car rental United States and Enterprise car rental United States.
Checking into certain accommodation
Some properties request passports for international guests. Bring it to reception, then store it immediately afterwards.
Crossing an international border
If your road trip involves leaving the US, for example to Canada or Mexico, you will need your passport and may need specific permission from the rental company. In those cases, keep the passport with you in a secure travel wallet, and confirm the rental rules well in advance.
Bottom line: what is best practice?
For most visitors driving a hire car in the United States, you do not need to carry your original passport while on the road. You do need your driving licence and rental documents, and it is wise to have an insurance or coverage summary accessible. A passport copy can be a helpful backup, but it is not a substitute for the licence.
The safest routine is to keep the passport locked away in secure accommodation, and only carry it on days you genuinely need it for flights, border crossings, or formal identification checks. That approach answers the core question directly and helps protect you from the biggest travel headache of all, a lost or stolen passport mid trip.
FAQ
Can I drive in the US with just a photo of my licence?
Usually no. A photo can help explain your details, but police typically expect the physical licence. Carry the original licence you used for the rental.
Will a police officer accept a passport copy as ID?
They may look at it as supporting information, but it does not replace a driving licence. Expect to be asked for your licence and rental agreement first.
Should I keep the rental agreement in the glove box?
Yes, it is a sensible place for the agreement and insurance page. Avoid storing your passport in the car, even in the glove box.
What if my passport is stolen during my trip?
Report the theft to local police, contact your embassy or consulate, and secure replacement travel documents. Keep copies of your passport details to speed up the process.
Do additional drivers need to carry ID too?
Yes. Any authorised driver should carry their own driving licence. If stopped while driving, they should be able to show they are permitted under the rental agreement.
