What Happens When You Get a DUI While Driving a Rental Car?
An arrest for driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) is the same if you are in your car or you drive a rented car. Most major car rental agencies will run a background check to determine if you have a drunk driving offense. You may have a hard time renting a vehicle if there is any type of DUI/DWI on your record. This also extends to renting a special vehicle such as a truck, van, or RV.
Rental agencies do not want to take a chance on renting vehicles to people who may damage them or injure others. If you have a DUI on your record, you may be a liability to a rental agency. The extent of the DUI and any vehicle damages may be taken into consideration, they are unlikely to rent to repeat offenders.
License Confiscation
In most states, your driver’s license is may confiscated during a DUI arrest. You cannot drive legally without your driver’s license and you cannot rent a car without a valid license. If you were charged with a DUI while driving a rental car, this is a major problem if you have to return the car. You may be given a temporary license that allows you to return the car to the rental agency when you are released. The police may call someone from the car rental agency to pick up the car if they determine that you are not in a condition to drive.
Impounded Vehicle
Depending on the state, the rented vehicle may be impounded to deter any future drunk driving occurrence or if it is damaged in an accident. You will be responsible for payment of extra daily charges, repairs, and having that vehicle returned to the rental agency. If you secured collision insurance through the rental agency, it may not cover repairs cost, the time the vehicle spent the shop, and out of service caused by drunk driving.
Prosecution
Drunk driving charges will be filed against you when there is sufficient evidence including what occurs during the field sobriety test. A lawyer who specializes in DUI/DWI defense should be consulted immediately after your DUI arrest.
You may be required to have an ignition interlock device, such as the products we offer at RoadGuard Interlock, installed in your own vehicle before you can begin driving again. This requirement can also appear on your driver’s license and it may prevent you from renting a car in the future.
We encourage you to drive safely. Contact us for more information on obtaining an ignition interlock device for your vehicle.
*Links to any third-party websites herein are provided for your reference and convenience only. RoadGuard Interlock did not create nor develop and does not own any such third-party websites. RoadGuard Interlock does not endorse nor support the content of, nor any opinions stated in any such third-party website links. RoadGuard Interlock is not responsible for the content of any third-party website or its accuracy or reliability. Nothing contained in this article or in any such third-party website shall be considered legal advice or be deemed to constitute legal advice. For any legal advice concerning a DUI arrest, charge, conviction, or consequences thereof, you should contact an attorney of your choice.