Quick Summary:
- Bring a valid passport and your home driving licence in Latin script.
- Carry an International Driving Permit if your licence is not English.
- Use a credit card in the main driver’s name for deposits.
- Check New York insurance options, tolls, and under-25 restrictions before pickup.
Renting a car in New York as a non-US citizen is usually simple, but the rules are document-driven. Car hire companies must confirm who you are, that you are licensed to drive, and that you can cover the security deposit and any charges. If you arrive prepared, the collection process is typically quick and you can focus on driving rather than paperwork.
This guide explains what you need to rent a car in New York as a foreign visitor, what varies by rental provider, and how to avoid the most common pickup problems. While the specifics can differ slightly between companies, the same essentials apply across most car hire desks in the US.
1) Your driving licence: what is acceptable in New York?
You must have a current, full driving licence that allows you to drive passenger vehicles. Learner permits, provisional documents, and expired licences are generally not accepted for car hire.
In New York State, visitors may drive with a valid foreign driving licence. However, rental companies still need to be able to read and verify the licence details. As a practical rule:
If your licence is printed in English or uses a Latin alphabet, it is more likely to be accepted without additional documentation, provided it is valid and in good condition.
If your licence is not in English, many car hire companies will ask for an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original licence. The IDP is a translation aid, not a replacement licence. You must carry both.
Also check the licence issue date. Some companies require that you have held a licence for at least one year, sometimes longer for larger vehicles. If you are newly qualified, confirm this before you travel.
2) Do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
An IDP is often the deciding factor for non-US citizens whose licences are not in English. Even if New York law allows you to drive with a foreign licence, the rental desk may still require an IDP to reduce translation risk and ensure consistency in their checks.
Get the IDP in your home country before you travel. It is usually issued by an authorised motoring organisation and is based on international conventions. An IDP is only valid when presented with the original licence. Photocopies are commonly rejected.
If your licence is already in English, you may not need an IDP, but it can still help if your licence is hard to interpret or uses local terms. When in doubt, bringing one can prevent delays.
3) Passport, visa, and entry documents
For non-US citizens, a passport is the standard form of photo identification at the counter. Your passport should be valid for the duration of the rental. Some locations may also ask to see proof of your entry to the US, such as an admission stamp or an electronic record linked to your passport.
Car hire staff are not border agents, but they must verify identity and match your documents to the reservation. If your name includes multiple surnames or diacritics, make sure the reservation name matches your passport exactly to avoid unnecessary rework at the desk.
If you are travelling on ESTA or a visa, it is wise to keep your travel documents accessible. You may not be asked for them, but having them can help in edge cases, especially if your passport details have recently changed.
4) Payment method: credit cards, deposits, and why it matters
Most car hire companies in New York prefer, and often require, a credit card in the main driver’s name. This is primarily because a refundable security deposit is pre-authorised at pickup. The deposit amount varies by vehicle category, rental duration, and insurance selections.
Key points to plan for:
Credit card name matching: the card should match the driver who will sign the rental agreement.
Available credit: ensure your card has enough headroom for the deposit plus the estimated rental cost.
Debit cards: some companies allow them, but may apply extra conditions such as additional ID, proof of return travel, or larger deposits. Acceptance also varies by location, especially at airports versus city branches.
Prepaid cards: commonly not accepted for the deposit.
If you are planning a one-way rental, additional authorisations may apply. Always budget for the deposit being held temporarily, because it can reduce your available credit for other travel spending.
5) Age requirements and young driver fees
In the US, age rules are set by rental policy and state considerations. In New York, most companies rent to drivers aged 21 and above, but drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver surcharge. Some vehicle categories may be restricted for younger drivers, such as premium models or larger SUVs.
If you are between 21 and 24, check:
What surcharge applies, and whether it is calculated per day.
Which cars are allowed, because the cheapest category online is not always available to younger drivers.
Additional driver rules, since a second driver under 25 may also trigger a fee.
Older drivers are generally not restricted, but a few companies may ask for additional verification in specific cases. The main takeaway is to confirm age policy before arrival, because it can affect both price and vehicle choice.
6) Insurance basics for car hire in New York
Insurance causes the most confusion for visitors, because terminology differs by country. In the US, car hire insurance can include protection for damage to the rental car, theft, and third-party liability. The level included in the base price varies by provider and by your booking channel.
At the counter, you may be offered options such as:
Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which can reduce what you pay if the car is damaged or stolen.
Supplemental Liability Insurance (SLI), which increases liability coverage.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) and personal effects cover, which are optional add-ons.
Before you travel, check whether you already have cover through a travel insurance policy or through the benefits on your credit card. If you rely on a card benefit, confirm it applies in the US, covers the car type you will rent, and requires you to decline the rental company’s waiver. If anything is unclear, assume you need to purchase suitable cover rather than risking a gap.
Also note that traffic incidents can be expensive in the US. Adequate liability cover is particularly important for peace of mind.
7) Tolls, congestion-style charges, and driving in New York City
Driving in New York City involves toll roads, bridges, and tunnels. Many toll points are cashless. Rental cars often use electronic tolling systems that bill tolls to the rental agreement, sometimes with an additional daily service fee depending on usage and provider policy.
To avoid surprises:
Ask how tolls are charged and whether there is a daily cap.
Plan your routes, especially if you will cross into New Jersey or drive to airports and back.
Keep parking in mind, because street parking rules can be strict and garages can be costly.
Even if you only intend to drive out of the city, your route may include tolled crossings, so it is worth understanding the toll policy before you leave the lot.
8) Picking up near New York: airport versus city locations
Where you collect your vehicle can change the experience. Airport locations often have longer opening hours and more inventory, but may include airport-related fees. City locations can be convenient if you are staying in Manhattan or Brooklyn, but may have limited parking and shorter hours.
If your itinerary includes flights, you may find it easier to collect outside the busiest parts of New York City. For example, travellers sometimes compare airport options such as Newark in New Jersey. Hola Car Rentals has information for nearby pickup points like car rental at Newark (EWR), which can be useful when weighing convenience, tolls, and driving time.
If you are continuing your trip beyond New York, it may help to look at how other airport pickups work, because the document requirements are broadly similar across the US. For instance, you can review general expectations at Washington Dulles (IAD) or Las Vegas (LAS), especially regarding deposits, insurance offers, and after-hours returns.
9) Extra drivers, child seats, and fuel policy
If someone else will drive, they must usually be added to the rental agreement and present their driving licence at pickup. An additional driver fee may apply. Do not assume you can swap drivers informally, because unlisted drivers may not be covered if something goes wrong.
For families, child seats can be rented, but availability is not guaranteed at every branch. If you bring your own seat, check airline rules and ensure it meets your needs. In the US, rules vary by age and height, so plan what your child will use and how it will be installed.
Fuel policies are commonly “full to full”, meaning you collect the car with a full tank and return it full. If you choose a pre-purchase or pay-on-return option, confirm how it is calculated. Keeping your final fuel receipt can help if there is a query later.
10) Common reasons non-US citizens get turned away at the counter
Most failed pickups are preventable. The most frequent issues include:
Incorrect or unreadable licence, including damage, expiry, or a missing IDP when the licence is not in English.
No acceptable payment method, especially arriving with only a debit card when a credit card is required.
Name mismatches between passport, reservation, and payment card.
Arriving outside opening hours without confirming after-hours procedures.
Underestimating deposits, leading to declined pre-authorisations.
A quick pre-travel check of these items can make car hire in New York much smoother.
11) A simple checklist before you travel
Use this checklist to ensure you have what you need:
Documents: passport, home driving licence, and IDP if your licence is not English.
Payment: credit card in the main driver’s name with sufficient available credit.
Reservation details: pickup time, location, and the exact name spelling used.
Insurance plan: know whether you will use rental cover, travel insurance, or card benefits.
Driving plan: toll policy, parking expectations, and any cross-state travel.
If you want to compare how requirements look in other US destinations, Hola Car Rentals also provides location pages such as car hire at Miami (MIA) and budget car rental in Portland (PDX), which can help you anticipate policies you might also encounter around New York.
FAQ
Can I rent a car in New York with a foreign driving licence? Yes, most companies accept a valid foreign licence, but it must be readable and current. If it is not in English, bring an International Driving Permit with it.
Do I need an International Driving Permit for car hire in New York? If your licence is not in English or not in Latin characters, many rental desks require an IDP as a translation document. Carry both the IDP and your original licence.
Will a debit card work for car hire deposits in New York? Sometimes, but policies vary by company and location. A credit card in the main driver’s name is the most reliable option for the security deposit and is least likely to cause refusal.
What insurance should a visitor consider when renting a car in New York? At minimum, make sure you understand liability cover and protection for damage or theft. If relying on travel insurance or a credit card benefit, confirm the US is covered and follow the required conditions.
Can I add an additional driver who is also a non-US citizen? Usually yes, but they must be present at pickup with their own passport and driving licence, and be added to the agreement. Fees and age rules can apply to additional drivers.
