The Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) has managed the rental car program for the Federal government since October 2007. The Government Car Rental Program is designed to be used for official government business to meet mission requirements.
There are many benefits of the Government Rental Car Program. One of the most significant benefits to government personnel on official business is the collision damage waiver (CDW) insurance. This insurance is included at no extra charge. Besides attractive rates, other benefits include unlimited mileage, age restriction reduced from 25 to 18, and much more.
Rental cars can be reserved using the E-Gov Travel System (ETS) or by contacting the Travel Management Center (TMC). The preferred method of payment is the traveler’s individually billed government charge card (IBA). If the traveler does not have a government charge card, the car rental company will accept cash, personal check, or a personal credit card belonging to the traveler.
If the traveler is combining personal travel with official government business, the rental car company needs to be notified so the contract can be written accordingly. The Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) contains guidelines for travelers to follow concerning personal use of a vehicle that was rented for the purpose of conducting official government business. The FTR gives instructions concerning any additional costs resulting from the unauthorized use of a rental vehicle is the responsibility of the traveler.
Whether renting a car for business or pleasure, the following guidelines should be followed:
- Always treat a rental car as if it were your personal vehicle.
- Return the car to the rental company with a full tank of gas.
- Review the receipt before leaving the drop-off site. If there are questionable charges on the receipt, it is best to resolve the issue in person rather than trying to deal with it later by telephone.
By: Sue Burton
The contents of this message are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the Government or my agency.