Learn More About Booking with us through Turo
Verification basics: Turo verifies all users primarily through submitted photos. You'll submit initial ID photos when creating your account. Turo may ask for additional verification if they can't confirm your identity initially, if you're booking a Super Deluxe vehicle, if there's a trust and safety issue, or if you're found to have multiple/linked accounts. They'll notify you by email of any issues. Additional documents requested may include the front and back of your physical license (no screenshots or photos of digital licenses), a selfie holding your license next to your face, your passport's ID page, an International Driving Permit, proof of residency or a bank statement.
Photo requirements: For a successful verification, take your license out of any plastic sleeve to avoid glare, skip flash and filters, make sure everything is in focus and fully legible, and preview photos before submitting. Your license photo needs all four corners and edges visible; your selfie needs your face clearly visible (no hats or sunglasses), with your head, shoulders, and ideally your full arm showing; and if a passport is requested, all four corners of the open ID page must be visible.
Submitting additional photos: If Turo requests documents via email, attach the photos directly to your reply. Please don't paste them into the email body, submit scans, or share links to Google Drive/OneDrive files, since these can't be reviewed. If requested through the website or app, just follow the on-screen upload prompts.
Eligibility & Licenses: You don't need your own insurance to book, but minimum age requirements vary by vehicle class:
18+ for standard vehicles
21+ for vehicles worth over $20k
25+ for Deluxe Class
30+ for Super Deluxe, Classic, or Specialty vehicles
Drivers aged 18–24 pay a non-refundable young driver fee that varies by trip length. You'll need a physical (not digital) permanent or valid temporary/interim license. Turo does not accept expired, altered, restricted, or provisional licenses, learner's permits, photocopies, or International Driving Permits as license replacements.
Checkout & Booking: To book your first trip, you'll provide your name, an email not tied to another Turo account, a phone number that can receive texts, and a payment method for potential incidental costs or damage. You'll get an email confirmation, can cancel free within the cancellation window and can only book one vehicle at a time with no overlapping trips.
Post Booking Steps: What happens next depends on your lead time. If you're booking less than 3 hours before your trip, you'll verify your phone and enter license info during checkout. With more lead time, you'll complete phone verification, license upload, and protection selection afterward — all tasks must be finished at least two hours before your trip starts, or it will be canceled. If your license expires during your trip, you'll need to provide an updated one beforehand, and remember that even if Apple/Google Wallet verification is offered, you must present a physical license at check-in.
Documentation & Deadlines: Check-in can start up to 24 hours before your trip, and the primary driver must upload photo documentation confirming their license is valid for the entire trip. If you're a US guest who didn't upload your license at booking, you must do so at least two hours before your trip starts, or Turo will cancel it.
Vehicle Pickup: Your host must hand you the keys or otherwise grant access, even for cars with remote locking. Before starting your trip, inspect the car for safety and cleanliness and take time-stamped photos through the app documenting its condition. This protects you from being blamed for pre-existing damage or inaccurate charges later. If the car seems unsafe, don't complete check-in and contact support instead. You can also start your trip up to one hour early if both you and your host are ready and you complete the full check-in process.
Extras are optional add-ons (conveniences or gear) that some hosts offer alongside their vehicle. They're never required to book a car, and you can add or remove them up until your trip starts. Hosts price Extras can range from $0–$999 (in local currency), per day or per trip. Costs will show as a line item at checkout. If a purchased physical item isn't provided at trip start, you'll be refunded.
Popular Extras: Prepaid refuel (avoids post-trip fuel charges, but no refund for unused fuel), Pet Extra (host can still charge a cleaning violation fee for irresponsible pet-related damage), plus beach gear, booster/child safety seats, coolers, strollers, one-way trips, prepaid EV recharge and unlimited miles.
Child Safety Seats: Turo recommends using and installing your own seat (or getting professional help, e.g., a fire station) rather than relying on a host's Seat Extra.
Coverage: Extras aren't covered by Turo protection plans, and Turo isn't liable for damage, injury, or loss related to them. Reimbursement disputes over lost/damaged Extras are handled directly between host and guest, outside Turo.
Prohibited Extras: Illegal, lewd, or inappropriate items; food, alcohol, drugs, or weapons; rentable property use; deposits/convenience fees; tow services; or anything violating Turo's policies. Report violations via "Report this listing."
Add up to 8 extra drivers free, anytime after booking (24+ hrs before trip start recommended). They need their own Turo account, Turo approval, and must meet age/license rules for the country and vehicle class.
How: Trips tab → "Manage trip" → "Add a driver" → enter their email → they confirm via emailed link (check spam).
Status: Check on the trip's Details page. Mismatched email is the usual cause of no update. Turo won't discuss another driver's status with you. They must contact support themselves.
Primary Driver Rules: You're financially responsible for the trip and must personally pick up/return the vehicle. Sending someone else to do so triggers a no-show report; unapproved drivers void your protection plan.
Quick FAQs:
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You can't transfer primary driver status. Instead, cancel and have them rebook.
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Additional drivers see basic trip/vehicle info only, not your personal/financial details.
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Only the primary driver can pick up/return the car.
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No shared accounts. Each driver needs their own.
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Primary driver doesn't need to be in the car during the trip.
Changing pickup or return location
Shortening or ending a trip early
Canceling a trip with your host
Travel delays or cancellations
Extenuating circumstances policy
To keep a vehicle longer than planned, submit a trip change request through Turo. This is required for approval eligibility. You can request an extension before the trip starts, while it's in progress, or up to 24 hours after the scheduled end time.
Steps:
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Open the Trips tab in the Turo app.
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Tap Manage trip → Change trip (or, if no "Manage trip" button appears, open the trip to reach the Details page).
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Select Dates and location to submit your new return date/time.
Refueling on Return
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Rule: Return the vehicle with the same fuel level it had at pickup
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Exception: If you purchased the Prepaid Refuel Extra, you can return the car at any fuel level (no penalty, no refund for unused fuel).
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Documentation: Take a clear photo of the fuel gauge at both pickup and drop-off — this protects you if a host later disputes the fuel level.
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If you return it lower: The host can charge you for the missing fuel (via an invoice, within their claim window) plus applicable fees — supported by their photo evidence.
How to pay: Toll invoices appear on the trip's Details page, via email, and in your activity feed.
To pay: Trips tab → find the trip (View past trips if ended, or Manage trip → View trip details if in progress) → open the invoice → Accept and pay.
Transponders: If the host's vehicle has a toll transponder, leave it in place as you're still liable for tolls even with it installed. Removing it or using your own transponder is prohibited. No transponder? You must notify the host when a toll occurs.
Notification/payment windows:
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Within 90 days: You're notified by email/activity feed and have 48 hours to pay or dispute.
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After 90 days: Turo emails you directly; you must reply to that email to ask questions or dispute.
Reimbursement deadlines: Hosts can submit toll charges up to 180 days post-trip (billing cycles vary by agency), plus up to 5 days for Turo processing — so you could receive a request as late as 185 days after your trip ends.
What's eligible:
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Administrative fees (speeding at toll sites, out-of-zone tolls)
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Airport fees (if trip starts/ends at a fee-charging airport)
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Missing/lost transponder replacement costs
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3% processing fee if Turo support has to intervene
At pickup: Hosts must provide a clean vehicle. If it's not, you can refuse it and cancel. Don't complete your check-in. Take photos and contact customer support immediately; Turo will refund you or help book another vehicle. Ask an in-person host to wait while you inspect, or inspect thoroughly if checking in remotely.
At return: You're not required to clean the car before returning it. However, if damage clearly stems from irresponsible/abusive behavior, the host can report it. If Turo's review confirms an eligible violation, you'll be charged $150 + 3% admin fee + airport fee (if applicable) — and Turo may remove you from the platform at its discretion.
Chargeable violations:
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Biowaste/bodily fluids
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Spills/waste inside vents or between door panel and window
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Major stains/residue needing steam cleaning or full detail
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Heavy caked-on mud, dirt, sand, or insects needing professional detailing
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Significant pet hair
Not chargeable:
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Minor trash (wrappers, bottles, crumbs, sand/dirt that can be wiped/vacuumed)
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Exterior dirt/mud/sand removable by a car wash
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Water stains, minor spills, or sticky residue
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Unpleasant odors
Smoking: Covered separately under Turo's No Smoking Policy — evidence of smoking results in a $150 fee ( + 3% processing fee, and possible account closure.
Kindly note that the keys will need to be handed over in person. The car needs to be delivered back by Reservation End Date and Time, unless specified otherwise by the host.
Complete other check out formalities on the Turo app.
You can cancel a trip at no cost within the free cancellation window (see Turo's Full Cancellation Policy for details).
Refundable trips: Full refund if you cancel:
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Up to 24 hours before trip start, or
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Within 1 hour of booking, if booked less than 24 hours before start
Non-refundable trips: Full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of booking.
How to cancel:
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Open the Trips tab in the app.
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Tap Manage trip → Change trip (or open the trip to reach the Details page if no "Manage trip" button appears).
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Tap Change trip → Cancel trip.