Car Rental Border Crossings for the US, Canada and Mexico

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Car Rental Border crossings, for the purpose of this guide, will look at two main scenarios:

Traveling from the U.S. into Mexico

If you’re a U.S resident, you may drive a rental car into Mexico with some rental companies. You may only drive a rental vehicle into Mexico if you purchase Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance at the U.S. rental location. This insurance is available only at specific locations in certain states. The three most common are Texas, Arizona and California. It is not available to purchase in Mexico.

Click here, for company specific information on taking a rental car into Mexico.

You must purchase this extra insurance regardless of any insurance coverages you may already have or already purchased from the car rental agency. For more information on Rental Car Insurance, click here.

Foreign nationals who can’t establish legal permanent U.S. resident status or current valid visa status can’t purchase this insurance because Mexico law prohibits such persons from driving a U.S. car in Mexico, making them subject to arrest and the rental car subject to seizure.

For all rental car companies that allow their vehicles to be taken in to Mexico, there will be guidelines and restrictions as to where you may drive the rental vehicle in that country. There are vehicle type and size restrictions as well.

Most car rental companies will not allow you to take a rental minivan, SUV or specialty vehicle into Mexico. These vehicles have a super high theft risk. Make sure to check with the location you rent from for details on restrictions for border crossings.

Traveling from the U.S. to Canada and Canada to U.S

If you’re a U.S resident, you most likely may drive the rental car into Canada. However, you must let the rental company know when you pick up your car that you plan to drive into Canada. The rental company may have to issue you a Canadian Non-Resident Insurance Card.

If you’re a Canadian resident (regardless of your country of citizenship), Canadian Customs regulations prohibit you from entering Canada with a U.S.registered car. Renters with a Canadian driver’s license and a car with a U.S. license plate won’t be allowed to cross the border into Canada. Customers with a Canadian driver’s license planning to cross the border into Canada must be provided with a rental vehicle that has a Canadian license plate. Make sure you discuss this with the rental counter before you pick up your vehicle.

Most Canadian car rental companies will allow Canadian and U.S. residents to take a Canadian registered rental car into the States. Make sure to check with your rental location to see if there are any restrictions on where you can drive.

Click here, for company specific information on taking a rental car into Canada.

If you have a Canadian rental car with unlimited kilometres, that offer may only be valid if you drive the rental car within Canada only. Make sure before you go!

Note: As always, rules and regulations at licensee locations may vary. Check with your rental location for details.

Border crossing for international car rentals can vary from country to country. It is best to check with your rental agent, travel agent or the car rental company itself before you rent.

For more information on International Car Rentals, click here.

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