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-   Avis | Preferred and Budget | Fastbreak (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/avis-preferred-budget-fastbreak-420/)
-   -   Houston we have a problem (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/avis-preferred-budget-fastbreak/695580-houston-we-have-problem.html)

mrblueeyes May 21, 2007 3:25 pm
Houston we have a problem
 
This past weekend my billfold was stolen which really sucks. Problem is that I am away from home and I have no way to replace my driver's license. I have a passport, so I can still fly with no problem but will I be able to rent a car with Avis when I leave my current location and fly to DCA? I have a rental on the books which is supposed to start on Friday. Currently I have an Avis rental car that I picked up this past Friday. I rent a lot with Avis and, so I am not sure if just having identification (i.e. not a driver's license) is enough b/c they have my info in their system. Does anyone know?

pfase_1 May 21, 2007 6:12 pm
I've had this happen before, and you can still rent...if you're lucky. Since you have ID that should help. Since they have your DL# on file, they can call your state DMV and have them verify the license is still valid. Of course, when this happened to me, I was in State College, PA and it was a much smaller airport, so the service was a bit better. Good luck!

mrblueeyes May 21, 2007 8:02 pm
Thanks!!! :)

djk7 May 23, 2007 10:07 am
Not that it helps you now, but carrying an extra license can be useful to avoid this problem. In my state, you can order a replacement license from the DMV web site from the comfort of your chair. It is $10.00, charged to a credit card, takes about 5 minutes to order, and shows up in the mail in few days. I keep the extra license in my computer bag, so if I lose my wallet or main license, I have a backup.

Steenj May 29, 2007 4:34 pm
Originally Posted by djk7 (Post 7785785)
Not that it helps you now, but carrying an extra license can be useful to avoid this problem. In my state, you can order a replacement license from the DMV web site from the comfort of your chair. It is $10.00, charged to a credit card, takes about 5 minutes to order, and shows up in the mail in few days. I keep the extra license in my computer bag, so if I lose my wallet or main license, I have a backup.
Damn , what a great idea... I do keep a photo copy of license and passport in briefcase ... never thought of asking for replacement license .. ^

Would also be handy when it is washed many times ... :td:

mrblueeyes Jun 1, 2007 5:17 pm
FYI: DCA would not let me rent a car from them without my license. They were jerks. They wouldn't even contact my state's DMV.

brokenunison Jun 1, 2007 7:31 pm
i work for Avis and as long as you placed your reservation using your wizard number, you should just be able to show your passport or drivers license. If you are part of Avis Preferred, then the first time you would show your credit card nad driver's license then after that you just go directly to your vehicle.

mrblueeyes Jun 14, 2007 4:58 pm
Originally Posted by brokenunison (Post 7835334)
i work for Avis and as long as you placed your reservation using your wizard number, you should just be able to show your passport or drivers license. If you are part of Avis Preferred, then the first time you would show your credit card nad driver's license then after that you just go directly to your vehicle.

Well, I have rented a ton with Avis and they always ask for my driver's license - they won't take any other form of id. I am a resident of more than one state (long story) and once I accidentally showed them my state id from the other state I am a resident of and they asked me for my driver's license. I have rented for over 150 days this year.

ezmonee Jun 16, 2007 4:23 am
Originally Posted by brokenunison (Post 7835334)
i work for Avis and as long as you placed your reservation using your wizard number, you should just be able to show your passport or drivers license. If you are part of Avis Preferred, then the first time you would show your credit card nad driver's license then after that you just go directly to your vehicle.
Actually, depending on the location, the gate guard checks your ID and your contract to verify. Legally, if your license is not present, then the AVIS location who let you the car is liable, and often in violation of statue. any accident that occurrs would bring suit, and often victoriously, against the rental company.

In my years, I have had MANY instances where someone has lost a license during a trip. Here is the LEGITIMATE way to handle it.

EVERY, and I mean EVERY DMV has a lost license abroad procedure. It involves an official department letterhead fax stating a lost license, verifying DL, expiration date, and verifying contact numbers in case needed. By rule, if you are to rent LEGALLY from any rental company in the U.S., this is the rule. As long as Avis, or any rental company, has a photocopy of this on file, if the document is forged, its on you, not the rental company. Also, you will need to physically have present the credit card in your profile or another government issued i.d. card as proof of person.

Sure, if your lucky you can skate by, but dont count on it.

mbreuer Jun 16, 2007 4:46 pm
Originally Posted by ezmonee (Post 7911505)
Actually, depending on the location, the gate guard checks your ID and your contract to verify. Legally, if your license is not present, then the AVIS location who let you the car is liable, and often in violation of statue. any accident that occurrs would bring suit, and often victoriously, against the rental company.

In my years, I have had MANY instances where someone has lost a license during a trip. Here is the LEGITIMATE way to handle it.

EVERY, and I mean EVERY DMV has a lost license abroad procedure. It involves an official department letterhead fax stating a lost license, verifying DL, expiration date, and verifying contact numbers in case needed. By rule, if you are to rent LEGALLY from any rental company in the U.S., this is the rule. As long as Avis, or any rental company, has a photocopy of this on file, if the document is forged, its on you, not the rental company. Also, you will need to physically have present the credit card in your profile or another government issued i.d. card as proof of person.

Sure, if your lucky you can skate by, but dont count on it.
Actually, I was wondering about this. Picked up a car from the preferred spot at SJC Tues night, they guard only wanted the contract hanging from the mirror. Never asked for ID, license, credit card or even the AvisFirst card.

IAHtraveler Jul 10, 2007 9:15 pm
Originally Posted by mrblueeyes (Post 7835049)
FYI: DCA would not let me rent a car from them without my license. They were jerks. They wouldn't even contact my state's DMV.
Wow, what a difference. I was in DCA on Monday morning (about 830am, before they got too busy). After I got my car traded out into something more desireable, I pack up the car & go to the ID checker. I pulled out my wallet & didn't have my ID!! It wasn't in any of my pockets and I was getting worried. I told the guy I couldn't find it and wasn't sure where I put it when I cleared security at EWR. He glanced at my Amex and sent me on my way.

As it turned out, I was sitting on my ID. It must have fallen out of my pocket when I pulled out my wallet to look for it. Oops.


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