Thinking about ditching your car — or just tired of paying for one you barely drive? Zipcar might be exactly what you need. This guide breaks down how Zipcar works, what it costs, and what to expect from your first trip. Stick around — there’s a lot here that could save you time, money, and a nasty surprise fee.
What Is Zipcar, Exactly?
Zipcar is a subscription-based car-sharing service that lets you rent a car by the hour or by the day — no dealership, no rental counter, no hassle.
You pay a small monthly fee to be a member. Then, whenever you need wheels, you open the app, find a car near you, book it, and go. Fuel, insurance, and maintenance are all included in the price.
The cars live in dedicated parking spots across cities, neighborhoods, and university campuses. You pick up the car there. You return it there. Simple.
Zipcar currently operates across the US, Canada, the UK, and several other countries. In the US alone, it manages over 3,355 locations across 43 states.
Who Can Join Zipcar?
Before you get excited about booking your first car, you need to qualify. Zipcar handles real vehicles on public roads, so the sign-up process has some teeth.
Age Requirements
- 21 or older — standard requirement in most US states
- 18 or older — if you live in New York, Michigan, or Maryland
- 18 or older — for students applying through an official university program with a valid campus email
If you’re under 21, note that you’ll pay a young driver surcharge. In New York, that’s $4.50/hour or $35/day. In other markets, it’s $3.50/hour or $28/day.
Driving History Requirements
Zipcar runs a background check on your driving record. Here’s what disqualifies you:
- Reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, or driving on a suspended license in the past 3 years
- Alcohol or drug-related offenses in the past 7 years
- Two or more moving violations or accidents in the past 3 years
- More than one incident in the past 18 months
You also need to have held a valid license for at least 12 months before applying.
The Application Process
The whole thing happens online or through the app. You’ll submit your personal info, upload a selfie holding your driver’s license (yes, really — it’s an identity check), and pay a non-refundable $25 application fee.
Most domestic applicants get approved instantly. If you have an international license or a provisional license, expect a manual review that can take a few business days.
Once approved, Zipcar mails you a Zipcard — a physical key card you’ll use to unlock the car. It arrives in 3–7 business days.
Zipcar Membership Plans: Which One Fits You?
Zipcar recently launched a beta membership structure with three tiers. All plans include fuel, insurance, and maintenance. Here’s how they stack up:
| Membership Tier | Monthly Cost | Included Daily Miles | Cancellation Policy | Extra Driver Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lite | $5.00 | 50 miles | 24-hour advance notice required | None allowed |
| Standard | $9.00 ($90/year) | 200 miles | Same-day refund for trips under 8 hrs | 1 extra driver at 50% off |
| Plus | $19.00 | 250 miles | Same-day refund for trips under 8 hrs | 1 free, 2 more at 50% off |
The Plus plan also gives you a $10 monthly driving credit and 15-minute early access to your reserved car — handy if you’re always running behind.
If you go over your daily mileage limit, overage is charged at $0.67 per mile.
University and Business Plans
Students at partner schools skip the $25 application fee entirely and get 180 included miles per day. University department accounts let multiple faculty or staff share billing under one account.
Businesses can set up a corporate account for a one-time $75 setup fee, then add employees at $50/year each. All trips get billed to a centralized invoice — no more expense reports for rental cars.
How to Actually Use Zipcar (Step by Step)
Here’s exactly how Zipcar works once you’re a member.
Step 1: Find and Book a Car
Open the Zipcar app or website. Browse nearby vehicles — you can filter by car type (sedan, SUV, truck, minivan, cargo van, or EV). Pick your car, choose your time slot, and confirm.
You can book as little as 30 minutes in advance, or schedule up to a year ahead. Maximum continuous booking is 14 days.
Step 2: Get to the Car and Unlock It
Walk to the car’s designated spot. Use the app’s “Drive” screen to unlock it via Bluetooth. If your phone’s dead or the signal’s weak, tap your physical Zipcard against the reader on the windshield and hold it for up to 30 seconds.
Can’t find the car? Hit the “honk” button in the app and listen for it.
Step 3: Do a Quick Inspection First
Before you drive, check the car for any damage larger than your Zipcard. If you spot something, report it immediately through the app. This protects you from being charged for damage the last person caused.
Step 4: Drive
The key is either attached to the steering column or in the glove compartment. Newer models with push-to-start don’t need a key at all — just press the brake and hit the button.
Step 5: Return On Time
Return the car to its exact home spot before your reservation ends. End your trip in the app, and take the prompted photos of the car’s exterior. This creates a timestamped record that you returned it in good shape.
Fueling and Charging: What You Need to Know
Zipcar covers the cost of fuel. But you’re responsible for keeping the tank topped up.
Gas Cars
Every car has a corporate fuel card, usually tucked in the driver’s side sun visor. If the tank drops below a quarter full, you must refuel before you return it — or you’ll get hit with a $30 fee.
At the pump, use the card as credit (not debit). Enter the vehicle’s billing zip code or the first 6 digits of your Zipcard number. You’ll also need to enter the current odometer reading.
Stick to standard unleaded fuel. Premium is off-limits.
If the card doesn’t work, pay out of pocket and submit the receipt for reimbursement.
Electric Vehicles
Zipcar’s EV fleet includes models like the Nissan Leaf and Hyundai Ioniq. Each EV has a network charging card (often ChargePoint) in the vehicle.
Cold weather and highway speeds drain batteries faster than the dashboard estimate suggests — keep that in mind.
When you return an EV to a spot with a charging pedestal, plug it in before ending the trip in the app. If you forget, the charging port locks and the next person is stuck with a dead car. That’s a costly mistake.
Insurance: What’s Covered?
Every Zipcar reservation includes third-party liability insurance that meets state minimums. But here’s the key detail: Zipcar’s insurance is secondary.
If you have your own car insurance, that policy pays first. Zipcar kicks in after your coverage is exhausted. If you don’t own a car and have no personal policy, Zipcar’s coverage acts as primary.
Damage Fees
If you damage a car — even from a hailstorm or a hit-and-run while it’s parked — you can be held responsible for up to $2,500 per incident.
To reduce that exposure, Zipcar offers optional Damage Protection:
- Plus protection caps your liability at $375
- Premium protection ($9/month) covers you completely
Some premium credit cards offer collision damage waivers that extend to car-sharing platforms — but always confirm the fine print with your card provider before assuming you’re covered.
Tolls, Tickets, and Penalties
Tolls
Zipcar cars don’t have transponders. They use pay-by-plate — cameras read the license plate, the authority bills Zipcar, and Zipcar bills you. Charges typically appear 2–8 weeks later.
Don’t bring your own E-ZPass or FasTrak into a Zipcar. You’ll get double-charged, and Zipcar won’t fix it.
The Fee Matrix
Breaking the rules costs money. Here’s the full breakdown:
| Violation | Standard Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Late return | $50/hour | Capped at $150 + usage fees |
| Low fuel (under ¼ tank) | $30 flat | — |
| Messy interior / pet hair | $50 minimum | Scales with actual cleaning cost |
| Smoking in vehicle | $150 flat | — |
| Wrong return location | $250 ($275 in NYC) | — |
| Negligent roadside call | $250 ($275 in NYC) | e.g., running out of gas |
| Parking ticket processing | $30 admin fee | Added to the fine itself |
| Lost parking pass | $225 | — |
The one grace period: you can cancel any reservation within 30 minutes of booking it — no charge, no questions.
The Six Rules Every Zipcar Member Must Follow
Zipcar’s community guidelines aren’t suggestions. Break them and you pay.
- Report damage before and after every trip
- Keep it clean — take your trash with you
- No smoking — windows down doesn’t help
- Fill the tank above 25% before returning
- Return on time — other people have that car booked
- Pets in carriers — service animals are the only exception
Does Zipcar Actually Save You Money?
Short answer: yes — if you don’t need a car every single day.
Zipcar’s own data shows the average member spends around $2,631/year on transportation — compared to over $10,500/year for private car ownership. That’s a 75% reduction.
Private ownership adds up fast: car payment, insurance, gas, parking, maintenance. In cities like Seattle and Boston, Zipcar members report slashing their transport costs by 74–81%.
Beyond the savings, one shared Zipcar removes up to 13 private vehicles from the road. Members also tend to walk and bike more, and they use public transit at rates 158% higher than average urban residents. It’s not just cheaper — it genuinely changes how you move through a city.
Is Zipcar Right for You?
Zipcar works best if you live in a dense city, already use public transit for most trips, and only need a car a few times a week. It’s also a no-brainer for college students, remote workers, and anyone who’s done the math on what their parked car actually costs them per month.
If you drive daily or live somewhere rural, the model doesn’t fit. But if you’re city-based and tired of a car eating your budget? Signing up takes about five minutes — and your first reservation could be the same day.
