Driving from the U.S. to Canada in a rental car is possible, but some restrictions exist. Crossing the border is similar (if not identical) to driving your own car across the border, but the differences mainly exist at the rental car counter.
Not following these restrictions could land you extra fees from your rental car company, so it’s essential to be aware of them before leaving the rental lot. Here, we’ll run through what you should know before you drive a rental from the U.S. to Canada.
This is an obvious one, but it’s worth mentioning. You need a passport and driver’s license to cross the border in your car. Some border states — for example, New York and Michigan — offer “enhanced” driver’s licenses, which let you use your ID as a passport card for land crossings. Regardless, make sure you have the required documentation with you before you drive off.
Most rental car companies require that you inform them of your intention to drive your rental car to Canada when you pick up your car. Not all rental car companies, especially smaller shops, allow cross-border rentals. If you’re concerned, call the branch you’re renting from before you reserve a car.
The rental car company may ask for additional information, charge an extra deposit or only let you rent specific car types if you’re driving to Canada. For example, most National locations only rent standard sedans for Canada-bound trips.
When you rent a car, keep a printed copy of your rental agreement. When crossing the Canadian border or returning to the U.S., you might be asked for it to ensure you have the proper permission to drive the car in and out of the country.
Note that most rental car companies won’t let you rent a car in the U.S. and return it in Canada. Some exceptions exist — for example, some Avis locations in border states permit this — but expect to pay more.
Check your car insurance policy before you leave the country in a rental car. Many insurance policies will cover driving in Canada, but not all. If you’re purchasing coverage from the rental car company, ask at the counter if the plan you select covers Canadian travel.
Thankfully, most rental car coverages provided by a credit card include Canada. But again, check your cardholder agreement before you depart so you’re not met with a nasty bill if you damage your rental north of the border.
Driving a rental car from the U.S. to Canada isn’t hard — just be sure you follow the restrictions above for a hassle-free rental. Note that different restrictions may exist depending on who you rent from — thankfully, you can find these online or ask at the rental counter.
You can change your preferences or opt out at any time by clicking on one of the hyperlinks available at the bottom of each newsletter.
If you are already a subscriber and would like to unsubscribe, you can click on the link at the bottom of any of our e-mails.
