Can I rent a car if I have a warrant?
Asked by: Alexie Murray | Last update: February 8, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (31 votes)
It's unlikely you'll be denied just for a warrant unless it's a very serious one or a specific background check catches it, but you risk arrest if stopped by police, as warrants appear in system checks, and rental companies cooperate with law enforcement, so it's best to resolve the warrant first by contacting a lawyer to get it quashed or handled. Rental agencies focus on valid licenses and major driving offenses, but a bench warrant (especially for failing to appear in court) can lead to license suspension and potential arrest if discovered during any police interaction, including traffic stops, which may flag you even for a rental.
Can car rental places see if you have a warrant?
Enter your zip code to see attorneys available in your area. Yes, convictions and pending cases (such as a warrant) will likely show up on a background check. I don't know what the underlying issue is, but it shouldn't be that difficult to clear up.
What to avoid if you have a warrant?
If you have an arrest warrant, you can't safely go about daily life because police can arrest you anywhere (work, home, airports), you can't fly, your driver's license may be suspended, and you risk losing government benefits or having trouble with jobs and housing due to background checks, while you also must address the warrant to avoid escalating penalties and complications.
What disqualifies you from getting a car rental?
Rental Car Screening Standards
- were caught driving with a suspended or invalid license.
- had one instance of drunk driving, hit-and-run, driving a stolen car or other serious offense.
- had three moving violations, or.
- were at fault in two accidents.
Do warrants show up on background checks?
Yes, active warrants, especially arrest warrants and bench warrants, generally do show up on comprehensive background checks because they are part of court and criminal records, but basic checks might miss them, and visibility depends on the warrant type, the database's currency, and the jurisdiction's access policies. Bench warrants (for failing to appear) and arrest warrants are common finds, while search warrants are less likely unless linked to charges.
How to know if there is a warrant for my arrest
Will a job hire you if you have a warrant?
Can you get hired with an outstanding arrest warrant? Having an outstanding arrest warrant can complicate your chances of getting hired, as many employers conduct background checks that may reveal this information. However, it is not an outright barrier to employment, depending on the employer's policies.
Will a warrant be on my record?
Since search warrants are issued as part of a police investigation, they are generally not available to the public and are unlikely to appear on a background check.
Why would someone be denied a rental car?
You can be disqualified from renting a car for having an invalid/suspended license, a poor driving record (DUIs, multiple accidents/violations), not meeting age requirements (often under 25), lacking a required credit/debit card or valid ID, appearing intoxicated, or being blacklisted by a company for past issues like unpaid fees or fraud. Specific disqualifying factors vary by company, but generally involve significant driving infractions or failure to meet basic documentation and payment criteria.
What looks bad on rental history?
Bad rental history includes evictions, frequently late or missed rent payments, significant property damage, breaking lease terms (like having unauthorized pets or subletting), lease violations (noise complaints, illegal activity), unpaid balances to previous landlords, and even a poor credit score or criminal record, all of which signal instability or risk to new landlords. A previous landlord marking "would not rerent" is a major red flag.
How do I know if I'm eligible to rent a car?
What Do You Need to Rent a Car in the United States?
- To be 25 years old (if you're under 25, you may be required to pay a young driver's fee, which varies by rental location)
- A valid driver's license with a photo.
- A photo ID (For example: a driver's license or passport)
Does a warrant mean I'm going to jail?
Not necessarily. In some cases, your warrant may be able to be recalled without ever having to appear in court, post bail, or spend time in jail. This depends on the particular circumstances. For bench warrants relating to misdemeanor offenses, your attorney can typically appear in your absence to clear the warrant.
How long do warrants typically last?
Arrest and bench warrants typically do not expire, remaining active indefinitely until served, recalled by the court, or the person dies, though search warrants expire quickly (e.g., 10-14 days). While some older warrants for minor offenses might eventually be processed or become inactive at the discretion of local law enforcement, there's no set time limit, and they can resurface years later during routine checks.
How to make a warrant go away?
The simplest way to get rid of a bench warrant in California is to call the court that issued the bench warrant or the local police, ask them what the warrant is for, and see if they will schedule you a new court date and drop the warrant.
Can airports see your warrants?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs Enforcement may access warrant information during security checks. Minor warrants, such as for traffic violations, usually do not prevent obtaining a passport or traveling.
Can you rent a car if you've had a ban?
After your ban car hire with DR10 can be tricky as most car hire companies will not hire you a car for 5 years from the date the ban was lifted and the licence was returned. This means if you get a 1 year ban, you may not be able to hire a car for 6 years.
Can a rental place see if your license is suspended?
The answer is yes, car rental companies also take a look at the driving record and the standing of the driver's license. It is widely accepted that, most rental agencies perform a brief background check before they let you drive their vehicle to confirm the validity of your driving privileges.
What shows up on a rental background check?
A tenant background check typically includes information such as criminal records, rental history, eviction history, and insight into payment ability, all of which can help landlords to make an informed leasing decision.
How to get approved with bad rental history?
If you are receiving denials because you owe a previous landlord back rent, entering into a payment agreement with that past landlord can remove that barrier in your application process. In some cases, going to court to get an eviction or a criminal matter expunged from your records will make a difference.
How to erase rental history?
Try to fix negative aspects of the report that are true.
Check with the landlord to see if you can still pay the fee (or whatever the source of the negative reporting). Get your payment in writing and submit it to the reporting company to have the instance of outstanding debt removed from your rental record.
What disqualifies you from getting a rental car?
You can be disqualified from renting a car for having an invalid/suspended license, a poor driving record (DUIs, multiple accidents/violations), not meeting age requirements (often under 25), lacking a required credit/debit card or valid ID, appearing intoxicated, or being blacklisted by a company for past issues like unpaid fees or fraud. Specific disqualifying factors vary by company, but generally involve significant driving infractions or failure to meet basic documentation and payment criteria.
What are red flags on a rental application?
A strong rental history is a good indicator of a reliable tenant, but gaps or past evictions could signal a problem. Watch for these red flags: Frequent moves within short periods may signal lease violations or non-payment issues. Eviction records or outstanding rental debts with previous landlords.
What is the minimum credit score to rent a car?
There's no universal minimum score, but you generally need a fair credit score (around 550-600+) if using a debit card, while credit card users often face no score minimum and have lower deposit requirements, with agencies looking for scores of 670 or higher for better options, though some agencies might approve lower scores if you show proof of return travel or pay a larger deposit. Using a credit card is easiest, but debit card rentals might require extra ID or a higher deposit, depending on the company.
Can a warrant expire?
No, arrest and bench warrants generally do not expire; they remain active indefinitely until the person is arrested or a judge recalls or quashes the warrant, meaning law enforcement can act on them at any time, even years later. While the underlying criminal case might face a statute of limitations, the warrant itself stays active, and ignoring it usually leads to further issues.
What if you don't know you have a warrant?
Many people are unaware that there is a warrant out for their arrest. However, if you are being arrested due to a bench warrant that was issued for missing court, you can call the court to schedule a hearing to have the warrant recalled.
Will a warrant show up on a fingerprint background check?
While not typically part of court records accessible during standard checks, fugitive warrants may be identified in roles requiring detailed background checks, including law enforcement, or through FBI or national fingerprint-based searches.