Vehicle Rental

Insurance coverage is supplied with all rentals. With the submission of a University Accident Report, University vehicles have a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive unless it is determined that the driver at the time of the accident did not have a valid license or was not an approved driver of the rental. In this case, the deductible will be $2,500. Glass breakage is fully covered for road chips and stones with the submission of a University Accident Report.

Insurance coverage is supplied with all rentals. University vehicles have a $500 deductible on collision and comprehensive unless it is determined that the driver at the time of the accident did not have a valid license. If a driver does not have a valid license, the deductible will be $2,500. Glass breakage is fully covered for road chips and stones.

One free parking permit is provided for your personal vehicle during the rental period per vehicle rented.

Need to park your rental vehicle on the Twin Cities campus? A Temporary Official Vehicle permit can be purchased for $7 per day (valid for 8 hours at an Official Vehicle marked parking stall) from Fleet Services.

¹ A minimum is any period of four (4) hours or less. It is not charged in conjunction with another period charge: it is charged only if the vehicle has been out less than a day.

² University rental vehicles are not charged for gas. Each vehicle is issued a blue gas fob and credit card. The blue fob is used at the gas pumps located by the rental dispatch location; the credit card is to be used only when not in the area. The gas credit card can be used at any station whose brand is displayed on the brochure in the rental.

³ We offer Thule rooftop cargo carriers with our 7-passenger minivans. These carry 13 cubic feet or up to 110 pounds of cargo. Please use the comments section of the reservations request form to request a cargo carrier.

A $50 fee will be charged to any party that does not cancel at least 24 hours in advance.

If a rental vehicle is not picked up within two hours of the scheduled pickup time, the reservation will be canceled and the renting department will be charged a $50 no-show fee.

The department renting a vehicle will be charged a late fee of $50 if that vehicle if it is not returned within two hours of the scheduled return time AND the regular usage fee until the vehicle is returned. If you find that you will not be able to return the vehicle by the scheduled return time, please contact Fleet Services. We will extend your reservation for you if at all possible.

To pick up a rental vehicle, you must have: 

• Valid U.S. or Canadian driver’s license 
• U Card
  • If you are not a University of Minnesota staff, faculty or student and do not have a U card, you must have a Sponsored Driver Form on file with Fleet Services. 
• All drivers present, if possible 
  • Carpooling is encouraged. Only one hangtag will be provided to park a personal vehicle for free in Fleet Services’ parking lot per rented vehicle 
  • If all drivers cannot be present, please email fleetsrv@umn.edu or present a hard copy of redacted driver’s licenses
    • To redact a license, block out the license number and address. Date of birth, class, and license expiration date must be visible.

Rental vehicles will not be released until all the information listed above has been received.

• All drivers must be on University payroll or a current University of Minnesota student. If not, they must have written permission from the head of the renting department. All drivers must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license from one of the 50 states or Canada. We accept restricted driver's licenses.
• The person picking up a vehicle must present their driver's license. All other drivers not present must provide Fleet Services with a copy of their driver’s license, either scanned and emailed to fleetsrv@umn.edu or as a hard copy with the license number and address redacted. Date of birth, class, and license expiration date must be visible.
• The only passengers allowed in any vehicle are those on official University business. No exceptions.
• All accidents must be reported, whether or not there was any damage done to the University vehicle. Submit an Accident Report within two business days.
  • Policy on Accident Reporting 
  • Renters are liable for all damage to the vehicle, whether or not it is accident-related. Fleet Services will only reimburse the cost of damages when an accident report is filed and the claim is approved by insurance.  In the event of an accident, departments are responsible for a $500 deductible or the cost of repairs, whichever is lower.
• Vehicles must be returned in clean condition (without excessive dirt and debris) or an Excessive Cleaning Fee of $50 may be assessed to departments.
• A vehicle cannot be dispatched without the necessary approval(s) and documentation.
• University of Minnesota assumes no responsibility for loss by fire, theft or damage to your vehicle while parked in Fleet Services lot or on public streets during the rental period.

In an effort to be more cost effective, Fleet is using Enterprise to supplement its rental pool during peak usage periods.  While Fleet makes every effort to fulfill incoming reservation requests, it is not always possible to meet 100% of requests, especially when last minute.  In the case we are rented at capacity and don't have the ability (typically with same day rental requests) to fulfill a rental request, please reference U Travel for approved alternative travel options.

NOTE: To ensure the availability of a Fleet vehicle, it is recommended to submit your request at least 3 business days in advance.

1. Visit U Travel.
2. Click on the 'Reservations' tab.
3. In the left column, click on the 'National/Enterprise Car Rental' link under the 'Car Rental' heading.
4. Along the left side of the page, click the 'Reserve with National/Enterprise' link.
5. On the following page, click the 'Reserve with Enterprise' button.
6. Enter desired reservation dates and current zip code to locate nearby Enterprise rental offices; then, select desired rental location.
7. Select desired vehicle type, then enter in the required information on the reservation page (Name, Phone Number, Card Type [P-Card or personal card are to be used], and Email Address).
8. Under the 'Corporate Account Details' header, select 'Yes' to "Are you traveling on behalf of University of Minnesota for this rental?' and select 'No' to 'Are you authorized and choosing to bill University of Minnesota for this rental?'
9. Enter your Driver's License ID number in the field under the 'Get Your Rental Started!' header and click the button with an arrow on it.
10. Enter in required Address and License information and click the 'Continue' button.
11. Review the final details on the reservation and click the 'Book Now' button to finalize the reservation.