Rental Cars
Rental company policies, how state laws apply to rental vehicles, storage requirements, and liability considerations when traveling with firearms in a rental car.
Key Rules for Rental Vehicles
State Laws Apply Fully
All state carry laws, storage requirements, and permit rules apply to rental vehicles exactly as they do to your own vehicle. The rental company's ownership of the car is irrelevant to state law.
Read the Rental Agreement
Some rental companies have added firearm prohibition clauses to their agreements. Violating the agreement can void your insurance coverage and create liability exposure.
Same Storage Standards
FOPA safe passage protections apply to rental vehicles. Unloaded, locked container, not directly accessible — the same rules as your own car.
No Disclosure Required by Law
There is no federal or state law requiring you to disclose a firearm to a rental company. However, if their agreement prohibits firearms, you are in breach of contract by having one.
Major Rental Company Policies
| Company | Policy |
|---|---|
| Hertz | No explicit prohibition in standard agreement. Follow all applicable laws. |
| Enterprise | No explicit prohibition. Renters responsible for compliance with all laws. |
| Avis | No explicit prohibition in standard agreement. |
| Budget | No explicit prohibition in standard agreement. |
| National | No explicit prohibition. Follow all applicable laws. |
| Alamo | No explicit prohibition. Renters responsible for legal compliance. |
Policies change. Always read your specific rental agreement before travel.