What Zipcar membership is and who it's for
Zipcar is a car-sharing service where you pay a membership fee and hourly rental rate to use vehicles parked around your city, rather than owning a car. You reserve a car through their app or website, walk to the parking spot, unlock it with your membership card, and drive it for as long as you need — typically by the hour or day. When you're done, you return it to the same spot. Zipcar owns and maintains the vehicles; you don't.
The service works best for people who need occasional car access but don't want the cost of ownership — insurance, maintenance, parking, registration. It's common among urban renters, people between cars, and those who use public transit most of the time but need wheels for errands or weekend trips. If you drive daily or live somewhere with few Zipcar locations, traditional car rental or ownership is usually cheaper.
Key Takeaways
- Zipcar membership requires you to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and pass a background and driving record check.
- Monthly membership costs vary by plan — typically $9 to $15 per month — plus hourly rates that usually range from $10 to $20 per hour depending on your city and car type.
- You can cancel your membership at any time with no penalty, and you only pay for the hours you actually use.
- Gas, insurance, and parking are included in the hourly rate, so there are no surprise costs beyond the reservation fee and mileage overage charges if you exceed your plan's limit.
Membership plans and monthly costs
Zipcar offers two main membership tiers. The Occasional plan costs around $9 per month and is designed for people who use Zipcar fewer than four times per month. The Frequent plan costs around $15 per month and is better if you use the service more regularly — it typically includes a small discount on hourly rates. Both plans charge you only for the hours you reserve; the monthly fee is separate and non-refundable.
Hourly rates depend on your city and the vehicle type. A compact car in most urban areas runs $10 to $15 per hour, while larger vehicles like SUVs or vans cost $15 to $25 per hour. Some cities have higher rates than others. Zipcar also offers daily rates — usually around $70 to $100 per day — if you need a car for a full day or longer. You can see the exact rate for a specific car and time slot before you confirm your reservation.
All plans include gas, insurance, and parking at Zipcar's designated spots. You do not pay extra for these. However, if you drive more than the mileage included in your plan — typically 180 miles per day — you pay an overage charge, usually around $0.25 to $0.45 per mile depending on your membership level.
How to become a member
To join Zipcar, you create an account on their website or app and provide your name, email, phone number, and address. You'll need to upload a photo of your valid driver's license. Zipcar then runs a background check and reviews your driving record through the Department of Motor Vehicles. This process typically takes a few minutes to a few hours, though it can take up to 24 hours in some cases.
If your background and driving record check passes, Zipcar mails you a membership card, which usually arrives within 5 to 10 business days. Once you have the card, you can reserve and unlock cars. You can start reserving cars before the physical card arrives if Zipcar sends you a temporary digital card through the app, though policies vary by location.
You must be at least 18 years old to join, though Zipcar offers a separate program for drivers aged 18 to 20 with higher rates and restrictions. You need a valid driver's license from any country, and you must have held it for at least one year. If your license is suspended or you have serious driving violations on your record, Zipcar will likely deny your membership.
What happens if your membership is denied
Zipcar does not always explain why a membership is denied, but common reasons include a suspended or revoked license, multiple at-fault accidents or traffic violations within the past three to five years, or a felony conviction. If you're denied, you can contact Zipcar's customer service to ask for details, though they may not provide a full explanation.
You have the right to dispute information on your driving record by contacting your state's Department of Motor Vehicles. If errors exist — for example, a violation attributed to you that wasn't — you can request a correction. Once your record is updated, you can reapply to Zipcar. There is no waiting period to reapply after a denial, but Zipcar will run the background check again.
How reservations and cancellations work
You reserve a car through the Zipcar app or website by selecting your pickup time, location, and how long you need it. The system shows you available cars nearby and the hourly rate for each. Once you confirm, the car is held for you. You can cancel a reservation up to 30 minutes before your pickup time with no charge. If you cancel within 30 minutes of pickup or don't show up, Zipcar charges a cancellation fee, typically $10 to $25 depending on your location.
When you arrive at the parking spot, you unlock the car using your membership card or the app. The car's interior has a fuel card in the glove compartment; if you use it, you're charged for gas at the end of your trip. If the tank is below a quarter full when you pick it up, you can report it and Zipcar will credit your account. You must return the car to the same spot and lock it through the app or card when you're done. Your rental ends when you lock the car, and you're charged for the exact time you held it.
Canceling your membership
You can cancel your Zipcar membership at any time through the app or website with no penalty or waiting period. Once you cancel, you lose access to cars when ready and are not charged the monthly membership fee going forward. If you have an active reservation when you cancel, that reservation is canceled and you're charged the cancellation fee if it's within 30 minutes of pickup.
Zipcar does not refund the monthly membership fee if you cancel mid-month. For example, if you pay $15 for the month on the first and cancel on the 15th, that $15 is not refunded. You only pay for the hours you actually used before canceling. If you think you might return to Zipcar later, you can straightforward let your membership lapse without using it — there's no penalty for inactivity, and you can reactivate by paying the monthly fee again.
Comparing Zipcar to other options
Traditional car rental companies like Enterprise or Hertz charge by the day and require you to pick up and return cars at a specific location, usually an office. Zipcar is cheaper for short trips — a two-hour errand costs $20 to $40 with Zipcar versus $50 to $100 with a rental company. However, rental companies are better if you need a car for multiple days or a week, because their daily rates are lower than Zipcar's hourly rates multiplied across many hours.
Ride-sharing services like Uber or Lyft are cheaper if you don't want to drive yourself, but you pay per trip and have no control over the vehicle or route. Owning a car is cheaper if you drive daily, but you pay for insurance, maintenance, registration, and parking whether you use the car or not. Zipcar fits in the middle: it's cheaper than ownership or daily rentals for occasional use, but more expensive than ride-sharing for single trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I get a parking ticket or traffic violation while using a Zipcar?
You are responsible for all parking tickets and traffic violations incurred during your reservation. Zipcar will forward the citation to you, and you must pay it. The violation also appears on your driving record and may affect your membership renewal or rates in the future.
Can I add another driver to my reservation?
No. Only the person whose name is on the Zipcar membership can drive the car. If another person drives it, you're in violation of the membership agreement and Zipcar can charge you a fee or cancel your membership. All drivers must have their own Zipcar membership.
What if the car breaks down or has damage during my reservation?
Report it when ready through the app or by calling Zipcar's roadside information number, which is on your membership card. Zipcar will arrange a replacement car or tow if needed. You are not charged for the time you're waiting for help. If you caused the damage, Zipcar may charge you a damage fee, which varies based on the severity.
Do I need to refuel the car before returning it?
No. Zipcar covers gas as part of your hourly rate. However, if you return the car with the tank below a quarter full, Zipcar charges a fuel service fee, typically $5 to $15, to refuel it. It's cheaper to use the fuel card in the glove compartment if you need gas during your trip.
Can I use Zipcar if I'm visiting a city where I don't live?
Yes. Your membership works in any city where Zipcar operates. You can reserve and use cars in other cities the same way you do at home. However, not all cities have Zipcar service, so check the app to see if cars are available in your destination before you travel.