Can You Smoke in a Rental Car? Answers for All Major Rental Companies

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Short Answer

While most rental car companies have banned smoking of any kind in rental vehicles, Hertz has a small selection of rental vehicles designated for smokers. Rental car companies that do not allow smoking include Avis, Budget, Enterprise, and Thrifty. Car-sharing services like Turo and Zipcar don’t allow smoking either. If you smoke in a rental car, the company may charge you a cleaning fee, which can be as high as $350.

Can You Smoke in a Rental Car?

Rental car company policies on smoking vary by company, but most rental car companies do not allow smoking of any kind — including vaping and e-cigarettes. During our research, we found that the only rental car company that has designated vehicles for smoking is Hertz.

If you smoke in a rental car, you may be required to pay a cleaning fee; cleaning fees can be as high as $350.

To compile the list below, we contacted the corporate offices and individual locations of major rental car and car-sharing companies nationwide to find out about their policies on smoking.

Alamo Rent a Car

Is smoking allowed? No; Alamo vehicles are 100% smoke- and vape-free.
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee up to $250 may apply, depending on the damage.

Avis

Is smoking allowed? No
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee up to $250 will apply if tobacco odor or residue is found.

Budget Rent a Car

Is smoking allowed? No; Budget vehicles are 100% smoke- and vape-free.
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee of $250 will be charged if the car smells of smoke.

Dollar Rent A Car

Is smoking allowed? No; Dollar vehicles are 100% smoke- and vape-free.
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee of $250 will be charged if there is a tobacco smell or residue.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Is smoking allowed? No
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee of up to $250 will be charged if evidence of smoking is found.

Fox Rent A Car

Is smoking allowed? No
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee of up to $250 will be charged if there is evidence of smoking.

Hertz

Is smoking allowed? Smoking is allowed in “smoking designated” vehicles; you cannot smoke or vape in a car that isn’t designated for smokers.
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee of up to $250 will be charged for smoking in a smoke-free vehicle.

National Car Rental

Is smoking allowed? No; National vehicles are 100% smoke- and vape-free.
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee of up to $250 will be charged for smoking in a vehicle.

Payless Car Rental

Is smoking allowed? No; Payless vehicles are 100% smoke- and vape-free.
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee of up to $250 will be charged if any residue or evidence of smoking is found.

Rent-A-Wreck

Is smoking allowed? No
How much is the cleaning fee? Fees vary by location but can be up to $350; Rent-A-Wreck locations are independently owned and operated.

Thrifty Car Rental

Is smoking allowed? No; Thrifty vehicles are 100% smoke- and vape-free.
How much is the cleaning fee? A cleaning fee of up to $250 will be charged if there is any tobacco evidence.

Turo (Car-Sharing Service)

Is smoking allowed? No
Penalty: The severity of the evidence will determine whether you will be fined up to $250 or be dismissed from the service.