Frequently Asked Questions & Rental Policies

All drivers must be over the age of 21 years and under the age of 79 years.

National Car Rental Requires all Renter to have a full driver’s license, No “N”, "GDL" or “L” drivers are permitted. International Drivers are welcome with an international driver’s permit and their country of origin driving license. If your driver’s license is not in English, we may request a translation. 15 passenger vans require a minimum class 4 driver's license.

Additional Drivers must meet our rental requirements. Drivers must have a class 5 or similar driving license and major credit card in their name. If the additional driver is spouse or common law partner then a credit card will not be required.

Renters 21 – 24 years must present a valid class 5 driver license and major credit card, Visa, Master Card, Amex, (debit cards and prepaid credit cards are not permitted), both in the renter’s name. At the time of rental young renters must take our Loss Damage Waiver Coverage. A young renter fee of $35.00 will be charged on drivers 21-24 years of age. Renters 21- 24 years of age will also be required to provide a $1,000.00-$1,500 deposit on their credit card at the time of rental in addition to the estimated cost of the rental. Drivers between the ages of 21-24 years are limited to Compact Car, 1 Ton Cube Truck, Cargo Van, and 2 wheel drive ½ ton pickup trucks.

Renters must have a class 5 or similar driver’s license. If the customer has a driver’s license outside of North America we will require an International Driver Permit. The International Driving Permit is a translation of your current valid license and when accompanied by that license legally allows you to drive for up to one year in other countries. Renters must also possess a Major Credit Card in their name. This Credit Card must meet our requirements. For more information on accepted Credit Cards refer to Payment Methods. Credit Card Authorization is required at the time of rental. Vehicles may only be driven in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and the State of Washington.

Major Credit Cards accepted: VISA, MASTERCARD, and AMEX. Credit card used at the time of rental must match the main renter’s name. We cannot accept a different credit card at the time of return for payment. The Major Credit Card that was used at the time of rental is the credit card that will be charged for the rental. We do not accept: Prepaid Credit Cards of any type ie; Money Mart, Green Dot Visa, Western Union Netspend, Mango, Vision Premier, Kaiku, PC Prepaid, Union Pay, Ace Elite, Account Now, Blue Cash Preferred ect. If the credit card says prepaid we will not accept it for deposit or payment. Debit / Credit Cards not accepted: Debit Credit cards issued from a major bank that is Debit Visa or Debit Mastercard will not be accepted. Electronic Credit Cards are not accepted: Credit Cards that do not have raised numbers. We do not accept Cash or Debit Cards for deposit. We accept cash for payment upon return of the rental vehicle. Cash payment does not release National Car Rentals right to bill your credit card for incidental charges that may be found after a final audit. Cash is not accepted on one way rentals.

National Car and Truck Rentals Requires all drivers have a valid major credit card in their name. Acceptable credit cards are Visa, Master Card, and Amex. We do not accept Debit Credit Cards, Prepaid Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Electronic Credit Cards, or Cash as deposit on rentals. We will authorize the renter’s credit card for the estimated cost of the rental plus the security deposit. A security deposit is required on all rentals and the amount varies depending on the vehicle size and type. Please contact the location directly for more information on our deposit requirements. Rental costs are processed on the credit card imprinted and authorized at the time of rental. We are unable to change credit card payments at the time of return. Cash is accepted for payment at some locations upon close of the rental only. For more information please contact the location you will be renting from directly.

Rentals are subject to the following Taxes and Fees: 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax), 7% PST (Provincial Sales Tax), $1.50 per day PVRT (Passenger Vehicle Road Tax), $1.80 per day VLF (Vehicle Licensing Fee) at Victoria, Duncan, Courtenay, Nanaimo Downtown, Port Hardy, North Vancouver locations, Nanaimo Airport VLF is $3.79/day and Comox Airport VLF is $1.99/day, Campbell River VLF is $2.66/day. CRF (Concession Recoupment Fee) is a fee charged to rentals originating out of airport locations. National charges this fee to offset the costs charged to the rental company by the airports. The CRF differs from each airport. The following is the CRF % at our Island Airports: YYJ (Victoria) 13.44%, YCD (Nanaimo) 11.73%, YQQ (Comox) 13.9%, YZT (Port Hardy) 10%, YBL (Campbell River) 12.9%. Taxes and Fees are subject to change without notice.

National Car and Truck Rentals can offer competitive one way rates to all the Vancouver Island locations. We save you money by providing you with a one way rate that has no drop fee on rentals commencing and ending on Vancouver Island. One way rentals off Vancouver Island are available to Vancouver and North Vancouver, and are subject to a drop charge. To make a one way rental reservation or request quotes please contact the location you are inquiring to rent from. Please note one way rentals must be reserved in advance to help us plan, if a vehicle is returned to a different city than originally reserved, it may be subject to an unauthorized drop fee.

Infant seats (rear facing up to 1 yrs old) $10.00 per day, Child Seats 5 point Harness (over 1 yrs old 9 kg – 18 kg) $10.00 per day, Child Booster Seats (over 18 kg and under 145 cm up to 9 yrs old) $10.00 per day. Please call prior to your rental pick up day to confirm your child seat availability. Prices subject to change without notice. GPS $15.00 per day. National Car Rental does not guarantee availability of this item. Prices subject to change without notice.

National Car Rental requires credit card deposit on all rentals. The security deposit is taken in addition to the estimated costs of the rental. The security deposit ranges from $300.00 to $1,500.00 depending on vehicle class and renter license requirements. The security deposit and the rental costs must be obtained on the Major Credit Card presented at the time of rental. Both security deposit and estimated rental charges must be on the same Major Credit Card. We cannot accept two credit cards for payment and deposit. The security deposit is removed from your credit card when the vehicle is returned and is deemed no damage or extra incidental costs, depending on your financial institution it may take 3-5 business days after return for the funds to be available on the credit card.

Our Vancouver Island locations want to help you pick up your rental car. We offer free local pick up and drop off when available at select locations. We define local as within city limits. Free local customer pick up is offered when available at our City locations in Nanaimo (within 15 km), Colwood (View Royal) (5 km), Sidney (10 km), and Duncan (within 5 km). Local pick up is offered when available during our regular business hours and will vary from each location. Please call the location you are renting from to make arrangements for your pick up.

Taking a BC Ferry to Vancouver Island is the most popular method of arrival. There are three main options to choose from: Swartz Bay (Victoria), Duke Point (Nanaimo), Departure Bay (Nanaimo), Little River (Comox), Bear Point (Port Hardy), Crofton (Duncan), and Campbell River.

Victoria

National Car and Truck Rentals in Victoria - Sidney is located less than 5 minutes from the Swartz Bay BC Ferries terminal. Simply call us at 250-654-0068 to request a pickup. We offer free local pickup to and from Swartz Bay terminal.

Duncan

National Car and Truck Rentals in Duncan is located approximately 25 minutes from Crofton BC Ferries terminal. We do not offer pickup service from our Duncan location but Taxi Cabs are readily available to bring you to our location at your expense.

Nanaimo

National Car and Truck Rentals Nanaimo - Downtown is located less than 5 minutes from the Departure Bay BC Ferries terminal. We offer free local pickup to and from the Departure Bay terminal. Simply call us at 250-758-3509 to request a pickup. We do not offer pickups from Duke Point (Nanaimo). Taxi Cabs are readily available to bring you to our location at your expense.

Comox

National Car and Truck Rentals in Comox is located approximately 8 minutes from Little River BC Ferries terminal. Our Comox Airport location is the closest to the terminal. We do not offer pickup service in the Comox Valley, but Taxi Cabs are readily available to bring you to our location at your expense.

Campbell River

National Car and Truck Rentals in Campbell River is located approximately 15 minutes from Campbell River BC Ferries terminal. We offer pickups and drop offs at the ferry terminal as long as it has been prearranged with the location in advance. Please call us at 250-923-1234 to request a pickup.

Port Hardy

National Car and Truck Rentals in Port Hardy is located approximately 12 minutes from the Port Hardy BC Ferries terminal. We offer pickups as long as it is prearranged with the location in advance. Please call us at 250-949-7121 to request a pickup. Customers can also drop off their rental vehicle at the ferry terminal for a $50.00 drop fee.

Victoria

National Car Rental offers pickup and drop off service for our customers who use Harbour Air in Victoria. Our downtown Victoria location is just an 8 minute walk or 3 minute drive from the Harbour Air terminal. Simply call us at 250-386-1213 to request a pickup.

Nanaimo

National Car and Truck Rentals has three prepaid parking stalls for our customers who use Harbour Air Seaplanes and Sunshine Coast Air for arrival and departures in Nanaimo. Emerald Club Customers who arrive by Harbour Air or Sunshine Coast Air will be asked to present their Driver’s license to obtain the rental car. You can return your vehicle to our prepaid National Car Rental stalls if you are flying out with Harbour Air or Sunshine Coast Air.

Seair Seaplanes arrives at Brechin Point in Nanaimo. Our Nanaimo location is within 2 km of their terminal. Customers who arrive at Brechin Point will get a free pick up to our location, and are able to return their rental car to Seair when they depart. Emerald Club Customers will have their vehicle and the rental paperwork delivered to Seair. Emerald Customers will be requested to show their driver license to receive the rental keys. Kenmore Air arrives to Brechin Point Nanaimo from Seattle Daily. Our free local pick up and drop off service is available to Kenmore Air Passengers.

Comox

National Car and Truck Rentals customers flying with Harbour Air Comox can pick up and return their vehicle at Harbour Air. Emerald Club Customers who arrive by Harbour Air will be asked to present their Driver’s license to obtain the rental car. You can return your vehicle to a Harbour Air stall and request a free parking pass from Harbour Air.

Nanaimo Harbour Heliport

If you are arriving in Nanaimo via Helijet our Nanaimo location can offer you exceptional service. We will meet you at your arrival point and deliver your car. If you are an Emerald Club Customer, and your Emerald Club profile is current and completed we will deliver your vehicle with the paper work ready. Returns are quick and easy also with Helijet. Park your car in a designated parking stall and leave your keys with the Helijet customer service representative when you check in for your flight. National Car and Truck Rentals will email you a receipt for your rental.

Victoria Harbour Heliport

If you are arriving in Victoria via Helijet, our Victoria location can offer you exceptional service. The Helijet shuttle will transport you to our Downtown Victoria location to complete your paper work. You are welcome to return your vehicle directly at the Helijet terminal. Park your car in a designated parking stall and leave your keys with the Helijet customer service representative when you check in for yur flight. National Car and Truck Rentals will email you a receipt for your rental.

If you are arriving in Nanaimo via Hullo Ferry, our Downtown Nanaimo location can offer you exceptional service. We will meet you at your arrival point and deliver your car. If you are an Emerald Club Customer, and your Emerald Club profile is current and completed we will deliver your vehicle with the paper work ready. National Car and Truck Rentals has four prepaid parking stalls for our customers who use Hullo Ferry. Emerald Club Customers who arrive by Hullo Ferry will be asked to present their Driver’s license to obtain the rental car. You can return your vehicle to our prepaid National Car Rental stalls if you are returning to Vancouver via Hullo Ferry. Park your car in a designated parking stall and leave your keys with the Hullo Ferry customer service representative. National Car and Truck Rentals will email you a receipt for your rental.