Your guide to self-driving rental cars

Self-driving cars are designed with safety in mind. By eliminating human error, they can limit the number and severity of motor vehicle accidents:

• Learn how self-driving cars work
• The benefits of a self-driving car
• How to rent self-driving cars

Once a distant dream, cars that drive themselves are now being developed by some of the world’s leading manufacturers—BMW, Tesla, Volvo, among others—in the hopes of solving transportation woes like traffic and accidents. As more and more autonomous vehicles hit the road, the likelihood of riding in one rises by the day. If you’re wondering what a self-driving car is and whether a self-driving car rental is right for you, these tips can help you get started.

The definition of a self-driving car

A self-driving car—also known as a driverless or autonomous car—is a vehicle that operates independently without the need for a person to engage the controls. It can accelerate, decelerate, brake, and stop all on its own. For now, a human driver still needs to sit behind the wheel, acting as a fail-safe to override the system if necessary.

Most cars today still aren’t entirely autonomous for safety and technological reasons. However, many cars on the market feature self-driving features that make drivers safer and more aware. These include:

• Hands-free steering
• Adaptive cruise control
• Self-parking
• Lane-change assist monitors

How self-driving cars work

A self-driving car uses a combination of cameras, sensors, radar, and artificial intelligence to reach its destination. These technologies enable it to follow traffic lights and signs and avoid obstacles such as curbs, trees, and pedestrians.

While consulting GPS, its AI processes all the data to predict its environment and react to changes that happen within a set distance around the vehicle. This helps it make split-second decisions, like steering or braking, without human intervention.

Benefits of self-driving cars

1. Safety

Above all, self-driving cars are designed with safety in mind. By eliminating human error, they can limit the number and severity of accidents – many of which occur due to drunk or distracted driving.

2. Convenience

Without the need to drive ourselves, we get more time for personal pursuits. People with disabilities would also have more independence – not to mention access to jobs that require a vehicle.

3. Efficiency

No one likes traffic. Self-driving cars can reduce congestion on the roads in more ways than one. Fewer accidents mean fewer obstacles. Speeds would remain consistent between vehicles. Carpooling would also increase, leading to fewer cars on the road and less emissions and noise pollution.

Types of self-driving cars

Self-driving cars are generally categorized by their level of autonomy, ranging from Level 1, in which the vehicle assists its driver, to Level 5, in which the vehicle fully operates itself without human input. The types, or categories, are as follows:

• Level 1: Driver assistance: The vehicle can help the driver steer, accelerate, or brake, but not all at once. Driver input is required.
  • e.g. Lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control by Honda, Hyundai, Volvo, etc.

• Level 2: Partial driver automation: The vehicle can perform two or more automated functions at once, such as steering and accelerating, steering and braking, or accelerating and braking. Driver input is required when necessary.
  • e.g. Tesla’s Autopilot system and General Motors’ Super Cruise system

• Level 3: Conditional driving automation: The vehicle can drive itself in certain scenarios, such as on stretches of certain highways. Driver input is required when necessary.
  • e.g. Mercedes-Benz’s Drive Pilot system

• Level 4: High driving automation: The vehicle can drive itself in certain situations with optional driver input.
  • e.g. Waymo’s driverless taxis

• Level 5: Full driving automation: The vehicle can drive itself in all situations without driver input.
  • Not available for public use yet

Now that you understand the levels of autonomy, let’s look at where and how you can rent a self-driving car.

How to rent a self-driving car

Renting a car with Level 1 autonomy

Vehicles with Level 1 features like adaptive cruise control and collision warning are now common. These vehicles can be rented like any other from most major rental companies, and typically include (but aren’t limited to) models from the following manufacturers:

• Audi
• BMW
• Ford
• General Motors
• Honda
• Hyundai
• Kia
• Nissan
• Tesla (older models)
• Volkswagen

Renting a car with Level 2 autonomy

Renting a self-driving car with Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities is similar to renting other types of cars, but availability is limited to certain regions and rental locations. Avis, Enterprise, and Hertz all rent out Teslas from their electric vehicle fleets, including Model 3s that feature Autopilot (traffic-aware cruise control and auto-steering) and Autopark (parallel and perpendicular parking) capabilities.

For Model 3s equipped with supervised Full Self-Driving capabilities, you’ll have to rent through either Tesla Rentals or Turo, a car-sharing rental service.

Enterprise, Hertz, and Turo rent vehicles equipped with Super Cruise, which include select GMC models such as the Cadillac LYRIQ and the Cadillac Escalade ESV.

When renting a Level 2 autonomous car, read the fine print about its self-driving features, including whether it has Full Self-Driving (FSD) or Super Cruise capabilities, safety protocols, and insurance requirements. Companies also impose additional restrictions on these vehicle rentals, including an increased age limit of 25 years or older.

Renting a car above Level 2 autonomy

While vehicles with Level 3 autonomy aren’t currently available to rent in the US, you can find self-driving car rentals with Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities through a ride-hailing service offered by Waymo – a California-based company formerly known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project. Availability is restricted to select regions in the Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco metro areas.

If you’re in one of these locations, renting a self-driving car with Waymo is relatively straightforward:

1. Download the Waymo One app on your smartphone.
2. Create an account using your personal information.
3. Select your pick-up point and final destination.
4. Request a ride (up to four passengers) and wait for the car to arrive.
5. Unlock the vehicle with the app and fasten your seatbelt.
6. Hit “Start Ride” and enjoy your trip.

FAQs

Are self-driving cars safe?

The jury is still out on whether self-driving cars are safe for consumers.

Self-driving cars are designed to enhance road safety by reducing human error, which is responsible for over 90%* of accidents. However, challenges remain – self-driving systems can struggle due to poor weather, low-light conditions, complex urban environments, and unpredictable pedestrian behavior.

While some tests show lower crash rates, accidents involving autonomous vehicles have raised concerns about reliability. Regulatory agencies continue to evaluate their safety before the widespread adoption of self-driving car rentals.

*According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Is a driverless car the same thing as a self-driving car?

Yes, a driverless car and a self-driving car are the same – both refer to vehicles that never require a person behind the wheel.

Cars on the road today aren’t fully self-driving but do include self-driving features that make them partially autonomous, such as automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning.

Can you rent a Tesla?

Tesla, one of the world’s largest electric car manufacturers, currently rents out Model X, S, Y, and 3 vehicles in most major US cities. When you rent a Tesla, you get the opportunity to experience advanced driving features, such as Autopilot and Summon – the ability to park or drive itself without anyone inside the vehicle.

What is level 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 autonomous driving?

Developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), this scale outlines the level of autonomy a self-driving car has. Level 1 vehicles simply assist the driver, while Level 5 vehicles can operate autonomously without any human inputs.

Are self-driving cars available to the public?

While some autonomous vehicles are on the road, including those with advanced driver-assistance systems, they still require human oversight. Local regulations, safety concerns, and technological challenges are among the main reasons why self-driving vehicles aren’t more widespread, but improvements are being made all the time.