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[babala]

I have a student who will be going to the US over the May holiday and he wants me to help him with the info of car rental. He said he looked it up on the net and even though he doesn't have a international license that it is allowed, but he needs info on things like insurance and what documentation he will need.I have never even rented a car in Canada. Can anyone help me out?

[Lone Traveller]

I thought an international license would be a must?

[dragonsaver]

Contact AVIS etc online and ask them.  I also think he must have a driver's licence.  Insurance is mandatory for car rentals.  They tell you the cost when you rent.  He will need a credit card to rent - cash won't cut it.

[babala]

I've been trying to look up info on the net (I did check out AVIS). The way they worded it was that international driver's licences must also be accompanied by the original licence so does that imply that you would need an int'l licence? It makes no sense that China would have stricter driver's regulations that the States

[dragonsaver]

I would interpret that to mean International plus China licence.

[contemporarydog]

Since virtually no Chinese people have credit cards, this will probably be impossible for him, won't it?

[icebear]

Since virtually no Chinese people have credit cards, this will probably be impossible for him, won't it?

Let's not paint too broadly here. I thought the same thing and commented so in the past, only to be scolded by my finance friends here. They may be a mere myth outside of the cities, but CC are readily available to most civilized city folk.

This guy is taking a trip to the states, and wanting to rent a car, so he likely has some serious kuai to drop. Or more likely his parents do. Thus putting them in the civilized category.

Regarding the license - I've heard the test here is actually much harder, and more expensive, than the test back home. Luckily for most drivers here (read: wealthy folks) a passing grade can be purchased. Supposedly in SZ you pay for the test, and since its all in Chinese a translator does it for you. But actually gives you a perfect score, ignoring your answers 

But yes, what was reported as necessary (a valid license for starters) is accurate. A passport as well, but he'll undoubtedly have that.

[Mr Nobody]

Many Chinese credit cards don't work outside the PRC, I am told. They have them, but something to do with China Bank and regulation of money in and out of hte country.

[non-dave]

All the major banks offer international credit cards that can be used worldwide - I wouldn't worry about that aspect too much, spending money is usually made pretty easy.

Most everyon here in Dongguan who is employed has a credit card. They are gaining in popularity very quickly.


Contacting one of the rental companies is the best course of action.

[Mr Nobody]

My information is several years old, but accurate at that time. Things may have changed. The credit cards were exactly the same, but couldn't access money outside of China.

There are debit cards, though, where you need to deposit a lot. These work exactly the same as credit cards, look like them, but aren't credit.