[blindlaw] Can the blind rent a vehicle

[McCarthy, Jim]

There are a couple of settlements that the NFB was involved in during the early to middles 1990's that require the process to occur as Tim describes.  I believe that the DOJ worked on these and they have basically made their way through the community of rental agencies.  One of the issues that I think remains unsettled is whether the driver can be someone less than 25 years of age.  Many rental car companies assess substantial fees on drivers less than 25 years of age.  Is it right to assess the fee if I (just turned 40) provide as my driver someone who is 22.
Jim McCarthy

-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of Ford, Tim (DHS-OLS)
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 10:34 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Can the blind rent a vehicle


I have rented a vehicle on a number of occasions, but I do not know if
this is legally mandated.

On a few of those occasions, the folks at the local office of the rental
car company had to find out from their headquarters office that it was
okay to rent to me.  IN the past few years, I have not had any such
trouble, so the rental car firms appear to have all communicated to
their local offices how to deal with the situation.

So it now seems accepted that the rental car can be secured in the name
of the blind person, and the only additional requirement is that you
present to them the driver.  The company will make a copy of the drivers
license of the driver, and that is about it.  

My recommendation is that you call ahead to the office you are intending
to go to, explain that you are blind, and will be bringing the driver
with you at the time of check-in.  Be sure and state that you are going
to be the one renting the car, and it will be rented using your credit
card.  Otherwise, you may end up with a surprise when you get to the
counter, when they try and have the driver rent the car on their credit
card.

So calling ahead will allow the company to check with their regional or
headquarters office if they are unsure.  Get the name of who you spoke
with, in case that person is not there when you show up.  It is also a
good idea to ask in advance who you should check in with when you
physically get to the rental car office, being sure to include with your
question whether that person will be there at the time you are planning
to come in.

Again, the few times I had this problem were all over 10 years ago, and
not since.  I rent a car under my own name at least once a year.


Sincerely,
Tim Ford
 
-----Original Message-----
From: blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindlaw-bounces at nfbnet.org]
On Behalf Of Rod Alcidonis
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2006 4:37 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List
Subject: [blindlaw] Can the blind rent a vehicle


Hello everybody:

   Can someone please comment on the legal requirements for a blind
person to rent a vehicle, besides having a driver available? Thanks.

Rod



_______________________________________________
blindlaw mailing list
blindlaw at nfbnet.org http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw
_______________________________________________
blindlaw mailing list
blindlaw at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindlaw