RichardWindsor

Hey guys,

I just joined today and I have a specific question that I hope one of you can help me with.

I live in NY and because I don't use a car I let my licence expire more than two years ago. Next month I am heading to Texas and I'm trying to rent a car using my British licence. Here is my problem though, I only have an American credit card. What do you think the chances are of me winging it and renting a car under those circumstances? I'm not sure if I can pull it off with a passport or Green Card as proof of ID. Plus, I'm hearing that there is a new type of drivers licence now and all I have is the old paper one.

Any suggestions?

Rich.

TruBrit

you should be able to rent using your old uk paper licence, i have in the past. have you contacted any rentals and asked them?

RichardWindsor

Not yet I haven't, no. I think the problem I am envisioning is that my residence is of course America, I'm just not sure if I can mix and match licence and credit card.

Rich.

TruBrit

yep, i realise that. i was living here, just moved over and rented a car using my usa c/card and my uk paper licence with my uk address on it naturally and it was no problem. that was 6 yrs ago and so not sure of the rules and regs now. guess you could ask a rental and use an alias

RichardWindsor

Well I appreciate your advice, there at least seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel. I was also hoping that the folks in San Antonio were as dumb as planks and that it will be a breeze I mean, my British licence is valid of course. The only other slight problem is that my passport expired years ago I've been known to procrastinate a bit

So what I have is a British licence, an expired NY licence, an expired passport and a valid green card!! I'm hoping just to show my licence and get the car.

Englishmum

It would seem that you live in NYC or one of the boroughs, so it's pretty obvious why you don't have a car.

I doubt that you will have a problem with your car rental, if you're in a chatty mood and they ask - just tell them that you only tend to drive these days when you're back home in the UK and split your time between both countries and of course tell them that no-one in their right mind would pay the crazy prices to keep a car in New York since it's a nightmare finding a parking space and it costs the Earth blah, blah, blah....

Do bear in mind though that it's probably best to take out car rental insurance and not rely on the coverage on your credit card (the cc companies rely on the fact that you have insurance for your own American car, which of course you don't have!).

TruBrit

so your passport has expired as well, however they may not even look at that if you do produce it. they may ask for another form of ID if you don't offer your passport as they may not realise what a green card is, pretty country folks out here in Tx Don't want to tell any real porkies that it may invalidate your insurance, have you ever driven in Texas?

best bet is to call a few of the rental companies and check up, tell them what you've got and take it from there. good luck and enjoy your visit.

frrussre

Hope works out. For future ref, suggest you Renew passport, get new NY DL. These items are very useful in USA.
Reg. Frank R.

lapin_windstar

Am I missing something? How would the clerk know whether the CC is issued in the US, UK, Malawi...?

frrussre

The address that goes with the card.
Reg. Frank R.

Englishmum

The first numbers on credit cards identify the issuing country.

TruBrit

sometimes when a company runs it through their system it picks up where the c/c is issued for example i have just tried to use a usa c/c last week to pay my uk car insurance and the company said their system would not accept it, showed up it was not a uk issued card. luckily i have uk c/c's so it was not a problem for me but i know some companies c/c machines can pick up if it's a foreign issue.

Englishmum

Is a green card on its own ok for ID when taking a domestic flight?

I know one is supposed to carry it around but I just think of the hassle of replacing it if I lose my purse or if it is stolen, so I just show my NJ driving licence for ID on domestic flights.

It might be worth getting a new NY driving licence even if you don't have a car...costs barely anything!

However, I guess if you get stopped in Texas and show your British driving licence at least they can't put points on it!

lapin_windstar

Yeah, but firstly, the clerk isn't going to know all the different codes for different cards, and secondly, billing address can be completely different from the renter's address.

ugacrew

As long as you don't get the wise idea like this guy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080306/...zQIFQfqy3tiBIF