Car Rentals for Persons with Disabilities and Equipment for the Disabled

Discount USA Car Rental strongly supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This act promotes public accessibility for persons with disabilities by prohibiting discrimination. Each rental car company has varying options available, so it is important you know what is available and where.

The car rental companies in the USA provide a variety of special equipment for persons with disabilities at no charge, and even allow a designated surrogate driver.

Free Assistive Devices for Renters With Disabilities

Assistive devices, particularly Spinner Knobs and other Hand Controls for individuals with physical challenges are available at no extra charge by Avis, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty, Alamo and Enterprise. Swivel seats and transfer boards allow a limited ability person to more easily transfer from their wheelchair to and from a car. The swivel seat also allows the front passengers to move more freely and turn their body in a car seat.

Avis and Budget offer the widest range of disability equipment with options including swivel seats, transfer boards and airport shuttles with wheelchair lifts/ramps (at select locations). All of which enhance service for customers with disabilities wishing to access the rental location.

Alamo and Enterprise, in addition to offering hand controls and spinner knobs, are the only company that supplies left foot accelerators, pedal extensions and seat belt extenders. A spinner knob enables a driver to properly utilize the full radius of the steering wheel with a single hand.

Designated (surrogate) Driver for Disabled Renters

Rental cars are available for renters with specialized needs, who do not have a license or are unable to drive, and require a driver for the vehicle.

For those who need to rent a car, but their disabilities hinder their ability to drive a car, they can assign a designated driver/surrogate driver . The appointed driver must meet the requirements of the car rental company, including any minimum age requirements. The disabled renter still assumes responsibility for the rental vehicle.

There is no extra driver fee related to the designated driver. The designated driver will need to provide a valid driver’s license, be at least 25 years old and satisfy the driver qualifications. The appointed driver must be present with the renter and sign the rental agreement at the counter before the vehicle can be claimed.

The contract will be in the name of the disabled person and they must present a valid credit card in their own name when the car is picked up. The disabled non-driving party will be financially responsible for the rental car.

Advance Notice

Most car rental agencies require 24 to 48 hour lead time for their maintenance facility to install the requested equipment. Therefore, once you know your flight schedule, please book your vehicle on our website right away. Then let us know what equipment you need installed so we can assist you in getting this confirmed from the supplier.

Customers will be responsible for reserving a car class that is appropriate in size for the equipment required rather than by price. If the vehicle, with installed equipment, works out to be too small to use then you run the risk of a delay of upto 24 hours or more for the car company to implement the necessary changes.

Car Model Compatibility

There are limits on the makes and models of vehicles that allow assistive devices. Due to the function of the equipment for people with disabilities, it can only be installed on certain car models. It is important to consider comfort and ease of use as well as overall space before reserving a vehicle.

Although Hand Controls can be installed in a Compact Car or a Convertible, we recommend the following car sizes.(not necessarily in this order) :

SUV
Minivan
Mid Size
Full Size
Luxury Car

Car Company Policies

Each car rental agency may have different policies in regards to installing devices, so it is best to check with us before picking the vehicle up. We want to avoid you getting to the counter and finding out you have an expensive upgrade charge to get a vehicle that will work. It is best to contact Discount USA Car Rental staff for assistance in having your equipment installed in the right size vehicle.

Vision impaired – Guide Dog Quarantine for those Traveling to Hawaii

Guide Dogs and service dogs will no longer be required to Quarantine in Hawaii (with restrictions) – Hawaii will now allow pre-certified, vaccinated guide dogs for persons with vision impairments immediate entrance to the State. Thus bypassing a 120-day quarantine. Documents proving rabies vaccinations and serological testing will need to be provided as required.

The owner will need to show proof of a certificate of obedience classes from a recognized guide dog school.

Contact Us!

We, at Discount USA Car Rental are happy to assist you with getting specialized equipment installed in your rental vehicle. Whether you are considering booking or have already booked, get in touch with us by phone or email so we can help you get the proper equipment installed in the right vehicle for your needs.