Tokyo Car Rental Overview

Renting a Car in Tokyo Overview

All too often renting a car means standing in long lines, discovering that the car you reserved is not available and learning that the price quoted over the phone doesn`t include additional charges such as Tokyo Insurance, coverage for more than one driver and refueling fees.

Although we can`t guarantee a pleasurable experience every time you rent a car,  you can reduce the number of times you encounter problems at the rental counter by learning about your rights and following several tips.

Important: Most countries will accept your valid state driver’s license with another form of photo ID. Some countries may also require an International Driver’s Permit (available through AAA offices). What you need may depend on the length of your stay; a two-week trip is different from a year abroad.

Your personal automobile insurance policy may have restrictions or limitations on driving in Tokyo. Check your coverage, including the terms of your credit card policy, before you rent in Tokyo.

Your Rights When You Reserve a Rental Car in Tokyo

If you have reserved a car and the company does not have the car you reserved available for you, the company must do everything it can to find you a different car from its fleet. If the only available car is more expensive, you don’t have to pay the higher rate. If no car is available, you can rent from another company or take a taxi and then seek reimbursement from the original car rental company.

Making a reservation is a two-way street. Nearly all rental car companies charge penalties for four-wheel drives, minivans, convertibles and other specialty rentals if you fail to cancel a reservation in advance or are a no-show. Some companies are testing similar policies on their standard rental cars.

Requirements to Rent a Car in Tokyo

Virtually all rental car companies will refuse to rent to certain people. Here are the three most common groups that have trouble renting a car:

Young drivers. Most major companies refuse to rent a car to someone who is under 21 and in some cases 25.

People without credit or debit cards. Most rental car companies require a major credit card or debit card as a way to secure a deposit from you at the time of rental. If you don’t have a credit or debit card, you can get a prepaid voucher through your travel agent by paying for the rental car first at the travel agency and bringing the voucher to the rental counter. But, even if you use a voucher, many rental car companies still require a credit or debit card as a deposit when you rent the car.

People with bad driving records. Many companies now screen drivers when they rent in popular vacation destinations by checking their driving records as reported by their state department of motor vehicles. If you have serious offenses on your record, such as DUI violations, most companies will reject you. Some companies also reject you for lesser things such as moving violations in the past few years, seat belt law violations or accidents regardless of fault. If your driving record is poor, find out ahead of time if the rental car company screens and, if it does, what criteria it uses.

Instead of screening you, some rental car companies may require you to sign a statement that says you have an acceptable driving record. If you have an accident and signed a statement that turns out to be incorrect, the rental car company could use it against you by claiming that you acted in viol