Does Budget require a renter with a disability to provide documentation of their disability?
Budget Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
On July 2, 1997, Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. and the United States Department of Justice entered into a settlement agreement under Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. As part of that agreement, Budget is distributing this Announcement to its licensees and prospective licensees.
Budget has adopted the following policies and strongly urges its licensees to do the same:
- Some people have disabilities that prevent them from driving, such as blindness or epilepsy. They will be allowed to rent vehicles from Budget when accompanied by a licensed driver. The person with a disability will be considered the "renter" under these circumstances and will bear the primary financial responsibility for the rental. The renter must present a qualified method of payment and otherwise meet generally imposed credit qualification requirements. The driver must have a valid driver's license and otherwise meet generally imposed driver qualification requirements. Budget will treat the driver as an "additional driver" on the Rental Agreement. Budget will not require the renter to document that he or she has a disability and will not inquire into the nature of severity of the disability.
- People with disabilities who use service animals will have the same access to Budget's goods and services as other customers. They will not be denied access to rental cards or shuttle buses. They will not be separated from their service animals at any time. Budget representatives will not require people with disabilities to provide nay type of identification or certification of an animal as having been trained as a service animal. Service animals may be used by people with different kinds of disabilities such as hearing, vision, and mobility impairments as well as seizure disorders.
- Budget shall waive any "additional driver" charges for one person accompanying a renter with a disability that would otherwise apply, and shall not impose any other surcharge on the renter in connection with actions required by this policy.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 80–426)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Budget's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Budget has specific policies, stemming from a settlement agreement with the Department of Justice under the Americans with Disabilities Act, regarding rentals to individuals with disabilities. Budget does not require renters to document their disability, nor will they inquire into the nature or severity of the disability. This policy extends to people with disabilities who may not be able to drive themselves. In these instances, Budget will allow a person with a disability to rent a vehicle when accompanied by a licensed driver. The person with the disability is considered the renter and bears the financial responsibility, while the driver is treated as an additional driver on the rental agreement.
Budget also ensures equal access to goods and services for people with disabilities who use service animals. These customers will not be denied access to rental cars or shuttle buses and will not be separated from their service animals. Budget representatives are prohibited from requiring any identification or certification for service animals.
Furthermore, Budget will waive any additional driver charges for one person accompanying a renter with a disability and will not impose any other surcharges related to actions required by this policy. These measures ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and promote accessibility for customers with disabilities.