or Canadian driver, the process typically takes just a few hours. To apply for a Zipcar membership, you need to provide some basic contact information, have a driver’s license and a credit card, and pay a modest application fee (usually $25). And Zipcar reserves the right to make individual determinations, meaning your application may be denied or approved even if you do or don’t meet these eligibility requirements. These rules may be different in Europe, so it’s best to check with your country-specific Zipcar site to confirm your eligibility. Have no alcohol or drug-related driving offenses within the past seven years.Have no major violations – reckless driving, speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour over the limit, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a suspended license, or speeding in a school zone – within the past three years.Have no more than one moving violation or accident within the past 18 months.Have no more than two combined moving violations and accidents within the past three years.Have had a valid, unrestricted driver’s license for at least 12 months.Be 21 years old, or 18 if you’re a student at a partner university.So let’s see how Zipcar stacks up against its two principal foes: the traditional rental car model and the ride-hailing model popularized by Uber and Lyft.Ĭentralized facilities, usually near airportsįrom $11/hr, plus mileage fees over 180 milesįrom $20/day, but widely variable usually unlimited miles But it’s also not the only game in town for mostly car-free folks who need personal rides every once in a while. Zipcar doesn’t have much competition in the carsharing business anymore, at least not at the national level. These require you to use a mobile app to hail nearby drivers, who pick you up in their personal cars and take you to your destination – similar to how taxi companies operate. This is different from other ridesharing services such as Uber and Lyft. With your membership card, you reserve a vehicle and drive it for a predetermined period of time, eventually returning it to its original location. Using Zipcar is a lot like renting a car. It’s also useful for travelers who want the peace of mind that comes with having on-demand access to a personal vehicle, but who don’t want to pay for – and park – a rental car. Like the locally based nonprofits it competes with, Zipcar is great for folks who don’t drive frequently. Its hundreds of hubs around the globe make it one of the world’s largest carsharing companies, and once you have a membership you can use its vehicles anywhere – including Europe.

Zipcar offers city-dwellers a viable alternative to traditional car ownership. Sign up for Zipcar and get a FREE $25 driving credit.

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