Hawaii rental car contract!
Carefully Reviewing Your Contract Ensures a Smooth Rental Experience
Key Contract Items to Check Before You Drive Off:
- Rental duration & return time: Confirm the rental period, return date, and exact time to avoid late fees.
- Vehicle details: Verify the vehicle class, make, model, and year match your reservation.
- Rental rate & charges: Clarify the daily rate, required fees/taxes, insurance options, and payment terms.
- Insurance options: Understand what is covered, what is excluded, and if you need additional coverage.
- Fuel policy: Know if your car comes with a full tank, if you must return it full, and refueling rates.
- Additional drivers: Confirm if extra drivers are authorized and if an additional daily fee applies.
- Vehicle condition: Inspect the vehicle thoroughly before departing and document pre-existing damage.
- Return process: Confirm drop-off location, after-hours procedures, and required documentation.
- Liability & responsibility: Know your responsibility for damage, tolls, or traffic/parking violations.
- Contact information: Keep local agency phone numbers handy for questions or roadside emergencies.
Taking a few minutes to review your rental car contract helps prevent unexpected charges or misunderstandings.
Important Rental Rules & Guidelines to Understand
1. Off-Roading & Violating Your Agreement
Most major car rental agencies in Hawaii strictly prohibit operating vehicles on unpaved or "restricted travel" roads (such as dry lava fields or rough dirt trails). If you drive on unpaved roads, all insurance coverage (including personal policies, credit card coverage, and agency CDW) will be voided.
Off-road towing or rescue bills in Hawaii are extremely costly and fully your responsibility. When in doubt, call the rental counter directly on your island destination to confirm restricted road policies.
2. Fuel Charges & Refueling Options
Most rental agreements require returning the car with a full tank of gas. If returned below full, the rental agency will charge a higher per-gallon refueling rate. Unless you are pressed for time or have an early flight, refilling the tank yourself right before drop-off is almost always the most cost-effective choice.
3. Driver's License & Young Driver Policies (Ages 20–24)
All drivers must present a valid, unexpired U.S. or Canadian driver's license. International renters need a passport, home license, and an International Driving Permit (if non-Roman alphabet).
Young Drivers (Ages 20–24): When booking Dollar or Thrifty through our site, drivers aged 20+ can rent with a discounted young driver fee of just $10/day (added at the counter), compared to standard $27/day fees at other major brands. Please review our Debit Card Usage Rules if not using a major credit card.
4. "Seeing is Believing" — Inspect Your Vehicle First
Before driving off the lot, record a quick walkaround video or take photographs of the vehicle (exterior and interior). Note any existing scratches, scuffs, or dents.
Familiarize yourself with controls before leaving: adjust mirrors and seats, test headlights, windshield wipers, climate controls, and power window switches.
5. Non-Smoking & Cleaning Fees
All fleet vehicles from our rental partners (Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty) are strictly 100% non-smoking. If smoke odor, tobacco residue, or excessive dirt/sand requires detailing, a cleaning fee up to $250 will be assessed.
6. Modifying Your Reservation
To modify a reservation prior to pickup, visit our Look Up / Modify Reservation Page. Most un-prepaid reservations can be adjusted freely prior to pickup, though rate changes may apply depending on vehicle availability.
Once you pick up the vehicle: You must contact the rental agency counter directly to extend or change your contract, as your credit card is actively on file with them.