When does a car rental check your license?

May 13, 2011 12:12 PM

Will a car rental agency require my license both before and after picking up the vehicle?

I'm planning on renting a car over a long weekend to visit my parents out of state. While I have a car on hand and am out of work on a business day, I thought I'd finally get around to transferring my license to Massachusetts (where I've lived full time for 7+ years now). I don't own a car so I'm in no rush, this just seems like a good time to do so.

My concern is that I don't think the car rental company would love it if I checked in with one license and checked out with a different one. I don't recall when if ever the car rental company checks your license number. Remind me?

(Also: I know that Massachusetts seizes your out of state license, but I'm assuming they just print you a new one while you wait. If, in its infinite wisdom and kindness, the RMV does not do this, please inform me NOW.)

posted by maryr to Travel & Transportation (11 answers total)

I've never had a rental company check my license while returning a car, so I think you're fine.
posted by Grither at 12:18 PM on May 13, 2011 [2 favorites]

I've never had anyone ask for my license on return. In fact, half the time, no one is there and I just leave the car in the lot.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 12:19 PM on May 13, 2011

Best answer: Nobody has ever asked to see my license in all the times I've dropped off a rental car. (At Enterprise, Hertz, and Alamo.) The most that ever happens is the attendant walks out to make sure I've replaces all the fuel, and/or asks me if I want to pay with the card I gave at the start of the rental or another card. Usually though, all I've had to do is just drop off the keys.
posted by Ashley801 at 12:19 PM on May 13, 2011

They will not ask for your license upon checkout.
posted by BurntHombre at 12:23 PM on May 13, 2011

Nope.
posted by randomkeystrike at 12:29 PM on May 13, 2011

Moreover, I would be shocked if the state didn't hand you at the least a color paper temporary license. Something just occurred to me, however - are you going to be flying after this? You need to check with the airline as to whether the paper license would be accepted for ID.
posted by randomkeystrike at 12:30 PM on May 13, 2011

Ive never had a rental car company ask to see my license upon checkout.
posted by Rapunzel1111 at 12:31 PM on May 13, 2011

Best answer: If I remember correctly, Massachusetts prints you a black-and-white paper temporary license, which is fine for legal driving purposes but kind of a pain for anything else. But that won't be a problem with the rental car company, just maybe at the liquor store.
posted by mskyle at 12:49 PM on May 13, 2011

Best answer: I had to show my license during check-out only when I had to fill out a damage report after a fender-bender, even with the "no questions" insurance option. So if you do any damage they may ask you for it. I think this was more convenience for the clerk since I probably could have told him he already had it on file.
posted by bondcliff at 12:52 PM on May 13, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone! I'll post if I discover otherwise.
posted by maryr at 12:52 PM on May 13, 2011

Response by poster: (And no, not flying in the immediate future, but thanks.)
posted by maryr at 12:53 PM on May 13, 2011