1. To avoid epic traffic jams in Los Angeles, avoid driving in the two rush hours of each weekday (7am to 9am and 3.30pm to 6pm).
2. If your car doesn’t have GPS it’ll be worthwhile hiring one – the freeways of Los Angeles can be confusing for first timers.
3. Before you opt for car hire in Los Angeles, check if your hotel has free parking. Motels and cheaper hotels in Los Angeles usually have free parking, while upmarket places tend to charge for the privilege. Streets in all commercial areas are metered, and many residential streets near commercial areas require parking permits.
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Search for the best car hire deals in Los Angeles
In a city so vast and where many of its attractions are spread out, car hire in Los Angeles is a good idea.
Traffic jams are frequent and you’ll have to get used to driving on the other side of the road, but once you’ve got your head around that you’ll find driving in Los Angeles a breeze. Heck, you might love it so much you could find yourself renting a Harley or a Cadillac!
Traffic jams are frequent and you’ll have to get used to driving on the other side of the road, but once you’ve got your head around that you’ll find driving in Los Angeles a breeze. Heck, you might love it so much you could find yourself renting a Harley or a Cadillac!
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Car hire at LAX Airport
National and international Los Angeles car rental companies, including Hertz, Enterprise and Avis, are stationed just outside of Los Angeles Airport (LAX), which you can get to via free shuttles from the lower level terminal.
It’s wise to pre-book car hire at Los Angeles Airport for 2017 holidays. Compare and book online before you go to find the cheapest rates, the widest range of available vehicles and to take your time going through the terms and conditions.
A few things to know
Many Los Angeles car hire agencies require drivers to be 25 years of age or older, while some make exceptions to at least 21 years old, but rates can be higher for these rentals.
Some companies also check your driving record when you present your driver's license and those with bad driving records probably won’t be allowed to rent a car in Los Angeles.
In keeping with most cars driven in the US, it’s likely the car you’re hiring in Los Angeles will be automatic, which means no clutch or manual gear shift. This may take some getting used to, and you might find yourself using the brakes more often than you do at home!
If you simply don’t feel comfortable driving automatic, you can always ask your chosen Los Angeles car rental company if manual shift options are available.
Talk like an Angeleno!
When you rent a car in Los Angeles in 2017, you’ll also need to get used to the American lingo before you hit the road.
Remember that petrol or diesel is called ‘gas’, junctions are ‘interchanges’, motorways are ‘freeways’ and ‘highways’, and any other road that’s not a freeway or highway is a ‘surface road’.
Another important thing to remember is that freeways have both a number and a name, which corresponds to the direction in which they’re heading. Generally, freeways going east to west have even numbers, while those running north to south have odd numbers.
Hit the open road
One journey you have to do while you’re behind the wheel in Los Angeles is the Pacific Coast Highway – one of the world’s greatest drives.
Why not hire a convertible and drive along this famous road to Malibu, where many Hollywood stars have beachfront homes. Go on, you know you want to.
Top tips for car hire in...
Los Angeles
Find out more about other forms of transport in the City of Angels on our getting around Los Angeles page.