Intro:

After securing my US visa, I kicked off my Lunar New Year road trip. This post focuses on the essentials of renting and driving a car in the Western United States.

1. Preparation: The Essential Trio

To pick up your car, you must have these three items:

• Original Chinese Driver’s License.

• International Driving Permit (IDP) or Translation.

• Credit Card (used for the booking).

2. Booking & Pick-up

I booked a Dollar car via Qunar for a 5-day trip in Los Angeles. The cost was around $50/day including insurance, which was quite a bargain. Although I booked a compact car (Ford Focus), I received a free upgrade to a Hyundai KONA SUV.

• Location: Picked up at Ontario International Airport (ONT). The shuttle service was efficient.

• Pro Tip: Even in the rain, I took a full video of the car’s exterior and interior to avoid any potential disputes later.

3. Return Process: Seamless Experience

I returned the car at LAX. Despite it being a different drop-off location, there were no extra fees. The process was incredibly smooth—I just parked, left the keys on the console, and an agent closed the contract on their iPad within minutes. The $200 deposit was handled correctly with no hidden charges.

4. Essential Driving Tips for First-Timers

• The Leftmost Lane (Carpool/HOV): Only use this if you have 2+ people in the car.

• The Rightmost Lane: Be careful, as many right lanes are “Exit Only.” To avoid getting forced off the highway, stay in the middle lanes.

• The “Stop” Sign: You must come to a complete stop for at least 3 seconds. At 4-way stops without lights, the rule is “first to arrive, first to go.”

• Emergency Vehicles: If you see flashing lights or hear sirens (Police/Fire/Ambulance), pull over to the right and stop immediately.

5. Vehicle Review: Hyundai KONA

Since this model isn’t available in China, I was curious to try it.

• Pros: Smooth acceleration, quiet engine, and great tech. The Blind-spot Monitoring and Collision Avoidance (with steering wheel vibration) were very impressive.

• Cons: The steering felt a bit “loose” at high speeds, requiring frequent micro-adjustments.

Feel free to leave a comment or DM me if you have any questions!