Los Angeles car rentals from $12/day

To rent a car in Los Angeles, you’ll need to make sure each driver has a valid driving license. Most rental companies are happy to accept international driving licenses as well as American ones, but it’s always worth double-checking the car rental terms as well. Each rental company has its own rules – some might not be willing to rent to drivers who haven’t held their driving license for 36 months or more, for example.

If you’re traveling from overseas, you will also need to show a valid passport as proof of ID. You’ll also need a credit card so you can pay for the deposit on the car. Don’t have a credit card? Many major car hire agencies will accept debit cards, but some won’t, so it’s best to check in advance. Most car rental companies in LA don’t rent to drivers who are under 21, and many in the city require drivers to be 25 or older – those that rent to younger drivers will often charge higher rates, sometimes known as ‘young driver fees’.

As a major city with multiple car rental companies, there are many different types of cars you can hire in Los Angeles. The type of car you choose depends on how far you’ll be traveling and how many of you there are. If you’re planning on taking day trips out of the city and spending a lot of time on the freeway, it might be worth investing in an SUV, for extra space and comfort on longer journeys. If you’re mainly planning on driving around the city, you could opt for a smaller car, especially as certain places feature designated parking spaces for compact cars.

If you’re flying into LAX, be aware that all of the car rental companies are off-site and can only be accessed via courtesy shuttles. These shuttles come frequently and are usually easy to find, though navigating your way through the busy airport can be a challenge. The same process can be repeated when you return the car, though make sure to leave plenty of time before your flight, as there can be long lines for drop off at the car rental companies.

Due to its fairly limited public transit system, renting a car is a great way to get around LA and visit its neighboring cities. Some of the most popular shorter driving routes from the City of Angels include trips to San Diego (around a two-hour drive), Santa Barbara (around two hours), and Las Vegas (around four hours). Then there’s the famous California drive along the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to San Francisco, which takes around nine hours and includes many of the Golden State’s most famous sites, including Big Sur. It’s also possible to drive across the border into Mexico, with Tijuana just a two-hour drive away, but bear in mind you will need a valid passport to cross the border. You will also need to check with your rental company to determine if you are allowed to cross international borders.

You need to have car insurance to drive in Los Angeles, so make sure it’s included in your car rental agreement if you don’t have your own personal insurance. Every car rental agency will offer slightly different options when it comes to insurance, so make sure you read the policy thoroughly and get the right insurance to suit your needs. It could also be worth purchasing a Collision Damage Waiver or Loss Damage Waiver to make sure you’re protected if the car gets damaged.

Though there are car hire companies dotted around the city, the largest concentration of them can be found at LAX, so it’s often the easiest option to pick up your hire car here before heading into the city (especially as this way you avoid having to pay the cab fare to get into LA). All the major car rental companies are here, so you have a wide variety of rental companies and cars to choose from. If you’re not arriving at LAX, there are still plenty of other places to hire cars in the city – ask about local options at your hotel, where they will be able to point you in the direction of the nearest car rental company.

The City of Angels is infamous for its traffic, particularly during rush hour when the roads and freeways can get gridlocked. It’s best to avoid driving during this time if you can – on weekdays, rush hour usually runs between 6am-10am and 3.30pm-7pm. Fridays can also be particularly busy on the roads, with locals heading out of town for the weekend.

If you’re planning on using the freeways in LA, look out for the Carpool and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. These are lanes that can only be used if there are two or more people in the car and can be a great way to save vital time and avoid congested lanes when driving on the freeway.

Before renting your car, it’s worth checking whether the hotel you’re staying in offers free parking.Motels and cheaper hotels often offer free parking, while more upmarket establishments tend to charge extra. Streets in all the commercial areas of Los Angeles are metered, and it’s usually easy enough to find a spot. Many of the residential streets near these areas require parking permits, so make sure you always check the signs for local parking information before leaving your car.

Since most people drive in LA, there’s no shortage of gas stations in the city, and all the big-name gas brands are represented. Most gas stations are self-serve, where you pump your own gas, and you can usually pay at the pump.

There are around 4,500 public charging electric vehicle stations dotted around the city, making LA the most electric vehicle-friendly city in California. Of these, only around 550 are free charging stations. Motorists can expect to pay around 30 cents per kilowatt hour for level two charging and around 40 cents per kilowatt hour for direct current charging.