Question:
I need a car to get to a job interview next week, but I’ve been in some trouble and I can’t find anyone to rent to me. Does Enterprise run your license? Will I be able to rent a car from them?
Answer:
Whether you’ll be able to rent a vehicle from Enterprise depends on what type of trouble you’ve been in. If you only have tickets on your record, you’ll probably be fine — Enterprise doesn’t check your driving record. They will verify that your license is valid, so you can not rent a car from Enterprise if you have a suspended license.
Does Enterprise check your driving record?
Wondering if Enterprise checks to see if your license is suspended? Yes, they do. If your license isn’t valid, either due to suspension, expiration or any other legal restrictions, Enterprise will not allow you to rent a vehicle.
However, they do not run a background check to see your driving record the way that many other rental car agencies do. Your recent traffic violation shouldn’t be an issue with Enterprise.
What are Enterprise’s license requirements?
- You must show a valid, unexpired driver’s license when you rent a car. It has to be an original, physical card — you can’t use a photocopy or a digital license.
- You can not rent a car from Enterprise using a learner’s permit.
- You can’t rent a car if your license has a restriction that requires you to use a breathalyzer before you drive.
Can someone else rent a car for me?
You can only drive an Enterprise vehicle if:
- You’re the primary renter
- You’re the the spouse or partner of the primary renter
- You’re named as an additional driver on the rental policy
In any of these cases, you must hold a valid driver’s license and meet Enterprise’s age requirements. Authorized drivers (excluding spouses/partners) added to the agreement, will need to be present at the time of rental, and an additional daily fee will be added to the rental cost.
Can I rent a car from Enterprise if my license expired while I was deployed?
You can use an expired license if you’re a member of the armed forces on active duty and you show your Active Military ID, provided you’re in compliance with your state’s military extension policy.
Can I rent a car from Enterprise with an international license?
International licenses are accepted as long as they’re current and include a photo of the driver, but if your home country uses a different alphabet than English (like Arabic, Russian or Greek) you’ll also need an International Driver’s Permit.
How old do I have to be to rent a car from Enterprise?
Every state has its own laws about how old you have to be to rent a car. In most states, you’ll need to be at least 25 to rent from Enterprise, but some states allow you to rent a car at the age of 18.
In states where under 25 drivers can rent a car, Enterprise may require you to pay an additional surcharge. This surcharge, called “young renter fee” can vary by state. According to Enterprise, it averages around $25.00 a day, but it’s as high as $65 a day for drivers in New York who are between the ages of 18 and 20.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Ashley Eneriz is an editor and finance writer with over 15 years of experience in a wide range of financial topics, including car loans and insurance. In editing for Jerry, Ashley aims to make all car material reader-friendly for both the new driver and car enthusiast alike. Prior to joining Jerry, Ashley was the financial deputy editor for ConsumerAffairs. Her work is featured on Forbes, Yahoo, MSN, The Hartford and more.
