Having a DUI conviction can bring many changes in your life style . These changes may include your ability to rent a car.
Often, with a DUI conviction comes a driver license suspension and restricted license thereafter. If your driver license is restricted such that you can only drive a car that is equipped with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID), you will very likely not be able to rent a car until the IID restriction is lifted.
Also, it goes without saying that you will need a valid driver’s license to rent a car, regardless of your driving record. Having a restricted suspended driver license, which many drivers with recent DUIs have, will keep you from renting a car.
In addition, rental car companies often run a driving record check on you before allowing you to rent a car. Most companies that run driving record reports will not allow you to rent a car within 48 months of getting a DUI.
Because rental car companies are private companies, they reserve the right to refuse you service because of your driving record.
Even if you don’t think the rental car company will run a DMV record, if you lie about having a DUI conviction on your rental car application, and then rent a car, if you are involved in an accident or damage the rental car in any way, the rental car insurance company may not cover the damages, leaving you liable for all of the costs. Be sure to read the fine print of the car rental agreement.
Rental car companies believe that insuring a driver with a DUI is very risky, so they will reject a customer with a recent DUI on their driving record. However, some rental car companies may still allow you to rent despite you having a DUI conviction. Contact different rental car companies when you are thinking about renting a car and see what they tell you.
For the reasons above, among others, a DUI is a serious charge that you should fight against. Contact an expert DUI defense attorney if you are facing DUI charges or have been convicted of a DUI and you want to try to clean up your record and have the charge dismissed. This will give you the best chance at living a normal life, post-DUI.