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Frequently Asked Questions
What does my Hola Car Rentals booking in Canada include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is a premium partner of the leading car rental companies in Canada, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes extra benefits that no other company can match:
- Full vehicle coverage with no deductible (applies only for certain rates and itineraries)
- Toll cashback: get back up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls charged during your rental
- Premium travel medical assistance for up to 5 passengers in case of emergency, covering up to CAD 200,000 (pre-existing conditions excluded)
- 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 at no additional cost, ensuring a unique rental experience with complete protection and peace of mind during your trip in Canada.
Will I face unexpected charges at the counter when I rent a car in Canada through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in Canada 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 Canada 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 rental 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)
What documents do I need to pick up a rental car in Canada?
To pick up a rental car in Canada, you must bring the following physical documents to the counter:
- A valid, original driver's license in the main driver's name
- A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card (debit and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit)
- A valid passport or 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 license is not in English and does not use a Latin alphabet (for example, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic script), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory in Canada. For licenses in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original license at all times.
All documents must be physical originals. Digital copies shown on a phone or tablet are not accepted at the counter in Canada.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Canada?
It depends on your license. In Canada, a foreign driver's license is generally valid for renting a car, but an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required if your license uses a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic (Russian). For licenses in other non-English languages, an IDP is strongly recommended even if not strictly mandatory.
The IDP is a translation document only. It is not a standalone license and will not be accepted in Canada without your original driver's license presented alongside it.
If you think you may need an IDP, obtain it in your home country before traveling to Canada. Issuers such as AAA in the United States do not issue IDPs to non-US license holders, so plan ahead.
At the counter in Canada, present your passport, original driver's license, and IDP together to avoid any delays at pickup.
How does the security deposit work when renting a car in Canada?
When you pick up a rental car in Canada, the rental company places a temporary authorization hold on your credit card. This is not a charge, but it reduces your available credit until the hold is released after you return the vehicle.
Typical hold amounts in Canada range from CAUS$ 300 to CAUS$ 500 for standard vehicles. Some locations may require a hold of approximately CAUS$ 750. Premium or specialty vehicles may carry higher holds.
- Only a major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card is accepted for the deposit in Canada
- Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual cards are not accepted
- The card must be in the main driver's name
- Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined
After you return the car in Canada, the hold is released. Your bank controls how quickly it reappears in your available balance, which can take up to 15 business days. Notify your bank of your travel to Canada before you arrive to prevent fraud blocks on the authorization.
Are there toll roads in Canada and how do they work for rental cars?
Yes, toll roads exist in Canada, though most highways are toll-free. The main toll road is the Highway 407 ETR, a 108 km all-electronic highway crossing the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario. Other tolls apply on select bridges and roads in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.
All tolls in Canada are fully cashless. There are no cash booths. License plates are photographed and bills are sent to the vehicle owner, which for a rental means the rental company charges you.
When renting a car in Canada, you have several options for handling tolls on the 407 ETR:
- Flat-rate unlimited toll program: approximately CAUS$ 10 to CAUS$ 15 per day, covering all tolls during the rental
- Pay-per-use: actual toll amount plus an administrative fee per transaction
- No enrollment: the rental company bills you the toll plus high processing fees after the rental ends, often weeks later
A 25 km peak-period trip on the 407 ETR without a transponder can cost approximately CAUS$ 30 including camera and trip charges. If you want to avoid tolls entirely in Canada, set your GPS to avoid toll roads and use free 400-series highways such as the 401 or the QEW.
All Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your Canada rental. See the next FAQ for details.
What is the minimum age to rent a car in Canada?
The minimum age to rent a car in Canada is generally 21, though some rental companies and provinces set the minimum at 25 for certain vehicle categories. In Saskatchewan, the minimum age is 18 at select locations.
Renters aged 21 to 24 in Canada are subject to a daily young driver surcharge. This fee varies by rental company and location. In addition, drivers in this age group may face restrictions on vehicle types, typically excluding luxury cars, minivans, and large SUVs.
- Avis and Budget: the additional driver must be at least 25 years old at pickup in Canada
- Saskatchewan: minimum age is 18 with no underage surcharge at some locations
- Graduated or provisional licenses (such as Ontario G2 or Alberta GDL Class 5) may be accepted at some Canada locations with an additional daily surcharge
If you are under 25 and planning to rent a car in Canada, check the specific surcharge and vehicle restrictions with your chosen rental brand before booking, as amounts and rules vary by province and company.
How does Tolls Cashback work for rentals in Canada?
Yes, all Hola Car Rentals bookings include Tolls Cashback, and it applies to toll charges you pay during your Canada rental, including on the Highway 407 ETR in Ontario and any other tolled roads or bridges you use.
The benefit reimburses the lesser of the total tolls you paid or up to 5% of your Hola Car Rentals booking total. For example, if your Canada booking totals US$600, the cap is US$30. If you paid US$18 in tolls, you receive US$18 back. If you paid US$50, you receive US$30.
To claim your Tolls Cashback after your Canada rental:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the vehicle
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA followed by your confirmation number
- Attach your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed rental agreement, and a toll receipt or statement showing charges paid during the rental period
- Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used for the booking
Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Claims submitted after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your Canada booking rate. You still pay tolls normally and claim reimbursement afterward.
Is third-party liability insurance included when renting a car in Canada?
Yes, when you rent a car in Canada through Hola Car Rentals, basic third-party liability coverage is included by default. Canadian provincial law requires every vehicle on the road to carry third-party liability insurance, and this statutory coverage follows the rental car automatically.
This means you are covered for bodily injury and property damage you may cause to other people while driving the rental in Canada. However, the statutory minimum may be lower than what is recommended for full protection.
- Ontario requires a minimum of CAUS$ 200,000 in third-party liability
- Many experts recommend at least CAUS$ 1,000,000 in coverage for driving in Canada
- You can purchase supplemental liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) to increase your coverage limit above the provincial minimum
Third-party liability does not cover damage to the rental vehicle itself. For that, you need Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW). Review your booking confirmation to confirm exactly what is included in your Canada rate before you arrive at the counter.
How do I add an additional driver to my rental car in Canada?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your rental car in Canada, either at the time of pickup or later by visiting a branch with both the main driver and the additional driver present.
Requirements for adding an additional driver in Canada:
- The additional driver must be physically present at the counter with a valid driver's license
- For Avis, Budget, and Payless rentals in Canada, the additional driver must be at least 25 years old
- The additional driver must meet the same document requirements as the main driver, including an IDP if their license is not in English or uses a non-Latin alphabet
- Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the rental agreement
Additional driver fees in Canada vary by rental brand. If your Hola Car Rentals confirmation states "Additional driver free of charge," no fee applies for the first extra driver. Otherwise, typical daily fees are approximately CAUS$ 12 to CAUS$ 15 per day depending on the rental company, often with a maximum cap per rental.
Only drivers listed on the rental agreement in Canada are covered by CDW/LDW and liability protections. Never allow an unlisted person to drive the vehicle.
What are the rental taxes and airport fees when picking up a car in Canada?
Renting a car at a Canadian airport involves several taxes and fees on top of the base rate. These charges can add 25% to 40% to the total cost, so it is important to understand what to expect.
Common charges when renting at a Canadian airport include:
- GST or HST: federal and provincial sales tax ranging from 5% to 15% depending on the province
- Airport Concession Recovery Fee (ACRF): typically 10% to 15% of the base rate, charged at airport locations in Canada
- Customer Facility Charge (CFC): approximately CAUS$ 10 to CAUS$ 20 per day at major airports
- City or tourism surcharges: for example, approximately 4% to 7% in Vancouver
If your Hola Car Rentals confirmation shows "Taxes and Fees: Included," you should not be billed separately for those items at the counter in Canada. If the desk charges you for something already marked as included, the No Extra Charges© guarantee applies. Keep all paperwork and contact support after the rental ends.
Picking up at a downtown location in Canada rather than the airport can reduce costs by 20% to 40%, as airport concession fees do not apply off-airport.
What is the fuel policy for rental cars in Canada?
The standard fuel policy for rental cars in Canada is Full-to-Full. You receive the vehicle with a full tank and must return it full to avoid additional charges.
To follow the Full-to-Full policy correctly in Canada:
- Check the fuel gauge with the agent at pickup and confirm the starting level is recorded on the rental agreement
- Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
- Refuel within approximately 15 km of the return location so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
- Keep your final 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 car in Canada with less fuel than recorded at pickup, the rental company will charge you for the shortfall at their refueling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a service fee. Fuel prices in Canada average approximately CAUS$ 1.50 to CAUS$ 2.00 per liter due to federal carbon taxes and provincial levies, so refueling near the return point yourself is always the more economical option.
Can I drive a rental car across the border from Canada to the United States?
No, you cannot drive a rental car from Canada into the United States without explicit prior authorization from the rental company. Cross-border travel between Canada and the US is not permitted by default on standard rental agreements.
If you need to cross the border, you must request permission before your rental begins. Key points to be aware of:
- Cross-border authorization typically requires additional insurance coverage, which can cost CAUS$ 20 to CAUS$ 50 per day
- One-way drop-offs in the US from a Canada pickup can incur fees of CAUS$ 500 or more
- Not all rental brands or vehicle classes are eligible for cross-border travel
- Driving into the US without authorization can void your CDW/LDW and liability coverage entirely
If you are planning a trip that involves both Canada and the United States, discuss this with the rental company at the time of booking, not at pickup. Confirm the authorization is noted on your rental agreement before you drive across the border. Attempting to cross without approval can result in significant financial liability.
Are there speed cameras and driving rules in Canada I should know about?
Yes, Canada has several driving rules and enforcement systems that can catch visitors off guard, particularly those arriving from countries where these are less common.
Key rules and enforcement details for driving in Canada:
- Speed limits are posted in km/h, not mph. Highway limits are typically 100 km/h
- Automated speed cameras operate in school zones and community safety zones in provinces including Ontario and Quebec. Fines in Toronto can exceed CAUS$ 700 for driving 25 km/h over the limit, and AI-assisted cameras introduced from January 2026 can issue fines of up to CAUS$ 1,500 for severe speeding
- Speed camera tickets in Canada are mailed to the vehicle owner (the rental company), which then passes the charge to you. No demerit points apply to camera-issued tickets, but the fine and an administrative fee will be charged to your card after the rental ends
- Mandatory winter tires are required in Quebec and British Columbia from approximately October to April. Rental companies at Canada locations in those provinces typically provide compliant tires, but confirm at pickup
- Headlights must be on 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset across Canada
- Canada drives on the right-hand side of the road, the same as the United States
Post-rental fines for speed camera violations in Canada may appear on your credit card weeks after you return home.
Does travel assistance cover emergencies during a car rental in Canada?
Travel assistance is included with most Hola Car Rentals bookings, but there is an important restriction: this benefit does not apply to customers who are residents of Canada or the United States. If you are visiting Canada from another country, the coverage is active for your rental period.
For eligible visitors renting in Canada, the travel assistance provided through Terrawind Global Protection typically includes:
- Medical coverage for accidents and non-pre-existing illnesses for up to 5 passengers
- Legal assistance in the event of a road accident in Canada
- Compensation for baggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
This coverage does not replace CDW/LDW for damage to the rental vehicle, nor does it cover third-party liability to others. Those require separate protections confirmed on your booking.
If you need emergency assistance while driving in Canada, contact Terrawind 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
- Phone: +1 888 980 9992 (toll-free)
- WhatsApp: +1 208 910 1001
- Email: [email protected]
Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready when you call. Always check your booking confirmation for the exact terms and coverage limits that apply to your Canada rental.
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