Can Beginners Rent a Car to Drive?
2 Answers
Beginners who have just obtained their driver's license can rent a car or use shared cars, but they are not allowed to drive special vehicles. Additionally, during the probationary period, the vehicle must display a standardized probationary sign, which is not provided by rental companies or shared car services, so drivers need to bring and display their own probationary sign. Failure to properly display the probationary sign as required will result in a fine. The following are the relevant regulations: 1. During the probationary period, a motor vehicle driver must not drive buses, passenger transport vehicles, police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, engineering rescue vehicles, or vehicles carrying explosives, flammable and explosive chemicals, highly toxic or radioactive materials, or other hazardous items; the driven motor vehicle must not tow a trailer. 2. When driving on highways during the probationary period, the driver must be accompanied by someone who has held a driver's license for the same or a higher vehicle category for at least three years. For driving a small automatic transmission vehicle designed for disabled individuals, the accompanying person can hold a driver's license for small automatic transmission passenger vehicles or higher. 3. During the probationary period after adding a new vehicle category to the license, driving a motor vehicle of the original licensed category is not subject to the above restrictions.
As a veteran driver with over 30 years of experience, I believe new drivers can absolutely rent cars, but there are many aspects that require caution. When I first got my license, I also rented a car and nearly had an accident, mainly due to unfamiliarity with the vehicle and misjudgment of road conditions. Nowadays, car rental companies generally impose age restrictions on new drivers, typically requiring those under 25 to pay an additional young driver fee and restricting certain models like luxury or large vehicles. When renting a car as a beginner, always confirm the validity of your driver's license and choose a reliable rental company. It's advisable to start with short trips and select a car with high safety features, such as those equipped with parking sensors and stability control. Don't forget to add comprehensive insurance—though it may be more expensive, it can save you a lot of trouble later. Remember, practicing parking and familiarizing yourself with the dashboard functions are also crucial. Don't rush onto the highway; spend a few days getting accustomed to city driving first. Safety should always come first, ensuring that renting a car is truly cost-effective and worry-free.
