What's the fee for vaping in a rental car?

Cleaning fees for smoking or vaping range from $250-$450 depending on the company. Some companies charge up to $450 (Enterprise) while others charge around $250 (Budget). These fees are charged to your card automatically if evidence is detected.

How do rental companies know if you vaped?

Rental companies inspect vehicles upon return. Inspectors check for odors (yes, even vape odors), residue on windows, e-liquid stains on upholstery, and visible vapor residue. Some use detection technology. If caught, fees are charged.

Are there rental cars that allow vaping?

No major rental company allows vaping. Even if you find a smaller local company without explicit policies, you'll likely still face cleaning fees if detected. The industry standard is 100% smoke/vape-free fleets.

Can you vape in a Turo rental?

Turo is peer-to-peer, so policies vary by owner. Most hosts prohibit smoking/vaping with fees of $150-$250+. Check the specific vehicle listing. Vaping without permission can result in fees and negative reviews affecting your Turo rating.

What about vaping in convertibles with the top down?

Still prohibited. Even in a convertible with the top down, the rental agreement bans smoking and vaping. Residue can still accumulate on surfaces, and the policy doesn't make exceptions for open-air driving.

Can You Vape in a Rental Car? 2026 Policies, Fees & What Happens If You Do

Q: Can you vape in a rental car?

No. All major rental car companies prohibit smoking and vaping in their vehicles. This includes Hertz, Enterprise, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, and Sixt. Violations result in cleaning fees of $250-$450.

Can You Vape in a Rental Car? The Short Answer

No. All major rental car companies prohibit vaping:

100% smoke/vape-free fleets at all major companies
Cleaning fees: $250-$450 for violations
Detection methods: Visual inspection, odor detection
No exceptions: Convertibles, long-term rentals, premium vehicles
Automatic charges: Fees applied to your card if detected

This is industry-standard policy. There are no major rental companies that allow vaping in their vehicles.

Rental Company Vaping Policies

Hertz

Policy	Details
Vaping allowed?	No
Cleaning fee	$400
Policy applies to	All vehicle classes
Detection	Return inspection

Hertz Rental Policies

Enterprise

Policy	Details
Vaping allowed?	No
Cleaning fee	Up to $450
Policy applies to	All rentals including long-term
Detection	Return inspection + customer complaints

Enterprise Rental Policies

Avis

Policy	Details
Vaping allowed?	No
Cleaning fee	$250-$450
Policy applies to	All Avis vehicles
Detection	Post-rental inspection

Avis Policies

Budget

Policy	Details
Vaping allowed?	No
Cleaning fee	$250+
Policy applies to	Budget and Budget Truck
Detection	Return inspection

Budget Rental Terms

National

Policy	Details
Vaping allowed?	No
Cleaning fee	$250-$400
Policy applies to	All National vehicles
Detection	Return inspection

Alamo

Policy	Details
Vaping allowed?	No
Cleaning fee	$250-$400
Policy applies to	All Alamo rentals
Detection	Return inspection

Dollar/Thrifty

Policy	Details
Vaping allowed?	No
Cleaning fee	$200-$350
Policy applies to	All vehicles
Detection	Return inspection

Sixt

Policy	Details
Vaping allowed?	No
Cleaning fee	€200-€350 (varies by country)
Policy applies to	Global fleet
Detection	Return inspection

Fee Comparison by Company

Company	Smoking/Vaping Fee
Enterprise	Up to $450
Hertz	$400
National	$250-$400
Alamo	$250-$400
Avis	$250-$450
Budget	$250+
Dollar	$200-$350
Thrifty	$200-$350
Sixt	€200-€350

How Rental Companies Detect Vaping

Visual Inspection

Inspectors look for:

Residue on windows - Vape creates a thin film
Stains on upholstery - E-liquid spills
Residue on dashboard - Visible in sunlight
Debris - Pods, cartridges, bottles left behind

Odor Detection

Despite claims that vaping is "odorless":

Inspectors are trained to detect vape odors
Sweet/fruity smells are obvious giveaways
Residue smells linger longer than you think
Air fresheners don't fully mask it

Technology

Some companies use:

Air quality sensors
Particulate detectors
Chemical detection
UV light inspection (shows residue)

Customer Complaints

If the next renter complains about smell:

Company investigates
May charge your card after the fact
Even if not caught at return

What Happens If You're Caught

The Process

Return inspection finds evidence
Documentation of violation (photos)
Notification sent to you
Charge applied to card on file
Dispute option (rarely successful)

Your Options

If charged:

Review evidence - Request photos/documentation
Dispute with card company - Difficult to win
Contact rental company - May negotiate if first offense
Accept and pay - Often the only realistic option

Disputing is hard because:

Rental agreements clearly state the policy
You signed acknowledging no smoking/vaping
Burden of proof is on you to prove you didn't

Peer-to-Peer Rentals

Turo

Policy	Details
Company policy	No official company rule
Host policies	Most hosts prohibit smoking/vaping
Typical fee	$150-$250 (host sets)
Enforcement	Host inspection, reviews

Turo considerations:

Check each listing's rules
Look at "Additional rules" section
Most hosts prohibit smoking/vaping
Violation affects your Turo rating
Could be banned from platform

Getaround

Policy	Details
Company policy	Generally prohibited
Host policies	Vary by vehicle
Typical fee	$150-$300

Alternatives for Vapers

During the Rental

Pull over safely to a parking lot
Step outside the vehicle to vape
Use rest stops - Vape in designated outdoor areas
Plan vape breaks into your driving schedule

Nicotine Alternatives

For times you can't stop:

Nicotine pouches (Zyn, Velo, On!)
Nicotine gum
Nicotine lozenges

These are discreet and don't affect the vehicle.

Trip Planning

Factor in stops every 2-3 hours anyway
Use gas station stops to vape outside
Rest areas have outdoor areas
Scenic pulloffs work for quick breaks

Common Myths Debunked

"Vaping doesn't leave a smell"

False. Vaping leaves:

Residue on surfaces
Detectable odors (especially sweet flavors)
Chemical traces that inspectors recognize

"I'll just air it out"

False. Residue remains on:

Windows and mirrors
Dashboard and vents
Upholstery fabric
Headliner

"Convertibles are fine with top down"

False. The policy applies to all vehicles. Residue still accumulates on surfaces even with airflow.

"They never actually check"

False. Rental companies have financial incentive to find violations. Inspections are standard.

"I can dispute the charge"

Difficult. You signed a contract acknowledging the no-smoking policy. Disputes rarely succeed.

Legal Considerations

Contract Terms

When you sign the rental agreement, you agree to:

Not smoke or vape in the vehicle
Pay cleaning fees if violated
Accept charges to your card

Can You Refuse the Fee?

Credit card disputes rarely succeed
Arbitration clauses favor rental companies
Small claims court possible but rarely worth it
Documented evidence works against you

Traveling and wondering about other vaping situations?

Can You Vape in a Waymo? - Autonomous vehicle policies
Vaping in a Hot Car - Safety concerns for leaving devices in vehicles
Airport Vaping Rules - Before and after your rental

Rental Car Vaping: Key Takeaways

All major companies prohibit vaping - No exceptions
Fees range from $250-$450 depending on company
Detection is reliable - Inspectors know what to look for
Residue remains even with windows down
Turo/peer rentals - Most hosts also prohibit vaping
Convertibles still prohibited - Policy doesn't change
Pull over to vape - Step outside the vehicle
Use nicotine alternatives - Pouches/gum for driving
Disputing charges is difficult - You signed the agreement
Plan vape breaks into your trip

References

Looking for vaping rules in other situations? Check our complete vaping laws guide for more locations.