Hertz rents cars to Uber and Lyft drivers, but the terms are different from regular car rental
Hertz operates a separate program for rideshare drivers called Hertz for Uber and Hertz for Lyft. You rent a car directly from Hertz by the day or week, and you keep the earnings from your rides. Hertz handles the insurance and maintenance; you pay Hertz a daily or weekly rental fee plus a mileage charge or fuel surcharge depending on the plan you choose. The catch is that these rentals cost more per day than a standard Hertz rental, because Hertz assumes the risk of rideshare wear and tear.
This program exists because most personal car insurance and standard rental agreements prohibit commercial use like rideshare. Hertz's rideshare rental includes commercial coverage built in, so you are not violating your insurance terms and Hertz is not exposed to a claim denial if you get into an accident while driving for Uber or Lyft.
Key Takeaways
- Hertz charges a daily or weekly rental rate plus mileage or fuel costs, and you keep all Uber or Lyft earnings after paying Hertz.
- The rental includes commercial rideshare insurance, so you do not need your own commercial policy to drive legally.
- You must have a valid driver's license, proof of income or bank statements, and a credit card in your name to rent from Hertz for rideshare.
- Daily rates vary by location and vehicle type, but typically range from $40 to $80 per day before mileage or fuel charges.
- If you damage the car beyond normal wear, you may owe a deductible or repair costs depending on the damage waiver you purchase.
What documents you need to rent a Hertz rideshare car
Hertz requires a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof that you have an active Uber or Lyft account. You will also need to show proof of income or recent bank statements to demonstrate you can pay the rental fees. Some locations ask for a second form of ID.
Before you go to the rental counter, log into your Uber or Lyft app and confirm your account is active and in good standing. Hertz will verify this directly with the platform. If your account is suspended or deactivated, Hertz will not rent to you.
How the daily and weekly rates work
Hertz charges a base rental rate per day or week, then adds either a per-mile charge or a fuel surcharge. The base rate varies by location, vehicle type, and demand. A compact car might cost $50 per day in one city and $65 in another. Weekly rates are usually cheaper per day than daily rates — a car that costs $60 per day might cost $350 for a week.
On top of the base rate, you pay either a mileage charge (typically $0.25 to $0.35 per mile) or a fuel surcharge (usually $15 to $25 per day). Mileage-based plans make sense if you drive short distances; fuel surcharge plans are better if you drive long distances and want to know your cost upfront. Ask the rental agent which plan works for your expected mileage before you sign.
You do not pay Hertz anything if the car sits unused. The clock starts when you pick it up and stops when you return it. If you rent for a week and return the car after five days, you pay for five days.
Insurance and damage coverage included in the rental
The rental includes commercial rideshare liability insurance, which covers damage you cause to another vehicle or property while driving for Uber or Lyft. This is the insurance Hertz carries, not something you buy separately. It covers the other party's injuries and vehicle damage up to the state's minimum liability limits.
Damage to the Hertz car itself is covered under a damage waiver if you purchase one at the time of rental. A damage waiver typically costs $15 to $25 per day and covers most collision and theft damage with a deductible of $0 to $500, depending on which waiver you choose. If you decline the waiver and damage the car, you owe the full repair cost or the car's depreciated value, which can be thousands of dollars.
Hertz does not cover damage from normal wear and tear — worn tires, scratched bumpers, or interior stains are your responsibility. If you return the car with damage beyond normal wear, Hertz will charge you. Take photos of the car's condition before you drive it away from the lot.
How to rent a car and start driving
Go to a Hertz location that offers rideshare rentals and tell the agent you want to rent for Uber or Lyft. Bring your driver's license, credit card, proof of income or bank statements, and your phone with your Uber or Lyft app open. The agent will verify your rideshare account, run a background check (which usually takes a few minutes), and show you available vehicles.
Choose your vehicle and damage waiver option. The agent will explain the daily rate, mileage or fuel charge, and any additional fees. You will sign a rental agreement that lists all charges and your responsibilities. Then you pick up the keys, inspect the car for damage, and start driving.
You can rent for as little as one day or as long as several weeks. There is no minimum rental period. If you need the car longer, you can extend the rental at the counter or by phone, though rates may change.
What happens if you get into an accident or the car breaks down
If you are in an accident, call Hertz immediately and report it. Do not leave the scene. Hertz will file a claim with its insurance carrier. If the other driver is at fault, Hertz's insurance will pursue them for damages. If you are at fault, Hertz's insurance covers the other party's injuries and property damage. You will owe your damage waiver deductible for damage to the Hertz car.
If the car breaks down while you are driving, call Hertz roadside assistance. They will send a tow truck or a replacement vehicle. You do not pay for roadside service — it is included in the rental. If the breakdown is due to your negligence (like running out of gas or hitting a pothole you could have avoided), Hertz may charge you for the tow.
If the car is damaged badly enough that it cannot be driven, Hertz will provide a replacement vehicle at no extra charge while yours is repaired. If repairs take more than a few days, Hertz may reduce your rental rate for the days you do not have a car.
Comparing Hertz rideshare rental to owning or leasing your own car
Renting from Hertz costs more per mile than owning a car outright, but less than buying a car if you only drive part-time. A Hertz rental at $60 per day plus $0.30 per mile costs about $0.90 per mile for someone driving 100 miles per day. Owning a car costs roughly $0.50 to $0.70 per mile when you factor in depreciation, insurance, maintenance, and fuel. But if you only drive 20 days per month, the Hertz rental might be cheaper because you do not pay on days you do not work.
Leasing a car through a traditional lease company (not Hertz) usually costs $300 to $500 per month, plus insurance and maintenance. A Hertz rideshare rental costs $40 to $80 per day, or $800 to $1,600 per month if you rent every day. Leasing is cheaper if you drive every day; Hertz rental is cheaper if you drive part-time.
The main advantage of Hertz rental is that you do not own or lease the car, so you have no long-term commitment. If rideshare does not work out, you return the car and walk away. With a lease or purchase, you are locked in for months or years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a Hertz car for Uber if I do not have a credit card?
No. Hertz requires a credit card in your name to hold the rental and cover any damage charges. Debit cards are not accepted. If you do not have a credit card, you will need to open one before you can rent.
What if I want to rent a Hertz car but I do not have an Uber or Lyft account yet?
You must have an active Uber or Lyft account before Hertz will rent to you. Create your account in the app, complete your background check with the platform, and wait for approval (usually one to three days). Then go to Hertz with proof that your account is active.
Do I have to return the car to the same Hertz location where I picked it up?
Most Hertz rideshare rentals require you to return the car to the same location. Some Hertz locations offer one-way rentals, but this usually costs extra. Ask the agent at the time of rental whether one-way returns are available.
What if I damage the car and do not have a damage waiver?
You owe the full repair cost or the car's depreciated value, which can be $2,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the damage. Hertz will bill you after the car is repaired. This is why most drivers purchase the damage waiver — it costs $15 to $25 per day but protects you from a large bill.
Can I rent a Hertz car for Lyft if I also drive for Uber?
Yes. You can rent a Hertz car and drive for both platforms at the same time. The rental agreement covers commercial use for any rideshare platform. You do not need separate rentals or insurance for each platform.