If you find problem with your license or you lose it or left it somewhere you might wonder can you rent a car without a physical license? The quick answer to this is you cannot rent any car without having a valid license. However before you feel down there are actually a few things that you can do when you do not have the license on you.
Reason Why You Do Not Have Physical License
A lot of car rental companies have their own policies regarding different reasons why you do not have physical license. That is why, you need to know these policies first before renting the car. Especially most of the time they would not rent the car to someone who does not have physical license. Here are some of the reasons:
- The license is suspended
In the US there are state and federal laws which stated that those who license is suspended cannot drive. Because of this laws American car rental companies cannot let those who license is suspended to rent the cars. However, you might want to ask the rental company about their policies since there are still many other reasons that makes the license is suspended.
- Disability
Commonly people will think people who are disabled cannot drive so they would not have physical license. But you can still ask if you can rent the car even if you do not have the license. One thing to remember is you might want to have substitute driver. Then the substitute driver will be the one who need to provide their physical license.
- Lost or stolen license
If you lose the license while traveling or when you are on the flight then the agency might give you some exception. But you still need to proof your identity using other method such as ID, passport, etc.
Can You Rent a Car without a Physical License by Getting Temporary License?
If your license is nowhere to be found then you can try to get a temporary license. Especially when you are in tight time and you need to rent the car soon. It might not be possible for you to get the full license before the time for you to rent the car.
So, to cope with this problem you can go to DMV and ask them to give you temporary license instead. Besides the temporary license you also need to give them other form of ID that can be used to proof your identity.
If you a frequent user and their agent knows that you are member of their loyalty program then sometimes they might allow you to rent the car anyway. So, you might want to rent from a company that have loyalty program then use the kiosk when you want to rent t heir car.
Go To the Police to File a Report
If you have your physical license stolen or lost then you need to go to the police to fine a report. Especially since the agents from the car rental companies usually need to follow their company’s policy.
And most of the time they would not allow you to take the car if you do not have physical license. But sometimes if you have the police report then they might allow you to rent the car.
Can You Rent a Car without a Physical License by Saving a Photo Backup for the License
It is important for you to have a photo backup for important document stored somewhere in the cloud or in your phone so you can use it when necessary. Some car rental company might even allow you to rent their car if you can show the photo backup for your license.
With the picture the agency can then help to verify on the authenticity of the license in various ways. So if they are apple to do that then they will be able to let you rent the car with this photo backup.
Get International License
If you want to rent the car outside your own country then you need to get international license. You cannot use your own local country license to rent abroad. So, this is very important for you to get the international license before you go abroad.
If you are in America then you can get your international license from AAA Motor Clubs. You only need to pay $50 to get the international license. But you still need to proof that you do have a valid license.
With this license you can rent a car from both internationally and in the US too. So, Can You Rent a Car without a Physical License? If you have this international license that means if you can use it instead.
Can You Rent a Car without a Physical License by Getting Learner’s Permit
Another way that can make you drive the car is to get the learner’s permit. With the Learner’s Permit you will be able to drive the car when the agent is presence. But whether you will be allowed to rent the car or not will still depends to the rental car company.
Get Military ID
This is a special ID that is issued to the military personnel as well as the member of their family. This ID can be used to proof your identity, your military rank and the other necessary information.
Now it is important to note that you cannot actually use the ID to substitute the physical license. But you might still get special privilege when you want to rent a car by showing the ID to the agent.
Furthermore, there are some car rental companies who lower their age requirements. Normally the minimum age is 21 but for military personnel they sometimes lower it to 18. Some companies even go as far as waiving the young driver’s free if you have this documentation.
Some companies also need you to give them additional document that can proof you travel because of work. While you cannot actually use the ID to substitute the physical license but you can still use it as supporting document when you rent a car.
So can you rent a car without a physical license? The answer is no but you can actually do other things so you can rent it.
