The Car Rental Program is managed by the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) effective October 2007. (All car rental information is available on the DTMO website). This program is available to all US Government personnel traveling on behalf of the government for official business. It offers attractive rates, few restrictive clauses, many benefits and is available to all government travelers who are authorized and licensed drivers.
The Government Rental Car Program creates a competitive environment among the participating rental car companies, which benefits the government. The program includes significant benefits to the government personnel that are not available to the general public. Some of the benefits are: Free collision damage waiver insurance. Unlimited mileage. Reduced age restriction to 18 (not 25) for official travel. No underage driver’s fees. No fees for additional government drivers. Quality control of cars and service. Online booking capabilities in E-Gov Travel Service (ETS) and Defense Travel System (DTS). Traditional booking capabilities through Travel Management Center (TMC) and Commerical Travel Office (CTO). Car class upgrade coupons from a variety of vendors. (Leisure rentals are not part of this government program).
The agreement requires the rental car companies to maintain insurance coverage or a qualified self insurance program which protects the government and its employees from liability for personal injury, death and property damage. A car rented by other means other than the government travel systems risks not receiving the benefits of the Government Car Rental Agreement.
Renters are advised to contact the car rental company immeditely upon damage or loss of the vehicle. Any disputes between parties is handled by DTMO .
The government issued charge card is the preferred method of payment to the rental car companies, but the rental car companies are required to accept cash, personal checks or credit cards. (Where prior arrangements have been made, charges may be put on a centrally billed account).
By: Kathy Runion
The contents of this message are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the Government or my agency.