At Empire Rent a Car, our car rental customers come to us with many questions about our policies and rental cars. We love that you do your due diligence to guarantee you’re getting a good deal, so we do our best to answer your questions thoroughly. Today we want to answer a few common questions related specifically to our rental policies. We hope you find them helpful!

1. How old do I have to be to rent a car?

The minimum age requirement to rent a car at Empire Rent a Car is 21 years old. Rental customers under the age of 25 are required to pay a young-driver fee of $25 a day if they’re between ages 21-23 and $12 a day if you’re 24 years old.

2. Can I pay for my car rental with cash?

Empire Rent a Car accepts cash payment for any rental car. However, if you want to leave a cash deposit, you must also provide a few additional items, including a valid driver’s license, a local utility bill, and proof of employment (such as a job ID or paycheck stub).

3. What if I am running late to return the rental car?

Life happens. We get that. Traffic in New York can pile up fast, and while we recommend that you plan ahead for that, we also build in a one-hour grace period into our car rental return policy. Beyond that hour grace period, you will be charged a late fee per additional hour. If your late fees accumulate to equal the daily rate, you will be charged that daily rate.

4. May I bring my pet along for the ride?

We love a puppy as much as the next person. But even the cutest dog or cat can leave behind hair (or worse). In order to keep our rental cars in the best possible shape, we prefer that you do not transport your pets in our car or van rentals. However, if it’s necessary, then please take precautions to make sure your furry friend is contained and that no pet hair or odor is left behind. If Fido does leave his mark, then you will be charged an additional cleaning and deodorizing fee (a $70 minimum). Hopefully we have answered a few of your burning car rental questions! The staff at Empire Rent a Car is proud to offer quality, dependable, and affordable rental cars for the visitors and residents of NYC. If you need additional clarification or want to make a reservation, contact us directly at (800) 750-8782.