Renting a Car in Brooklyn With a Debit Card

Can you rent a car in Brooklyn with a debit card? At Drivo, yes. Both of our Brooklyn branches take debit cards from people who live here. You'll need your license, a second ID and a current utility bill. We also hold $500 from your account, and it takes about four weeks to come back.

When I read our customer reviews, the deposit comes up a lot. People are surprised by the hold, and by how long the money is gone. I'd rather you hear it from me now than at the counter. So here are the three things I'd tell a friend before they walk in.

1. Bring the right papers. That's your license, a second government ID and a utility bill in your name.
2. The hold is REAL money. With a debit card, $500 leaves your checking account the day you pick up the car.
3. It takes about four weeks to come back. So don't rent with money you need for rent.

The short version

Which Drivo branches in Brooklyn take debit cards?

Both of them. Drivo Coney Island is at 3221 Coney Island Avenue. Drivo DUMBO is at 106 York Street, under the Manhattan Bridge. Both are open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.

Our airport branches have different rules for local renters. If you live here and you're paying with a debit card, come to one of the Brooklyn branches.

What do I need to bring?

Four things.

1. Your driver's license.
2. A second government ID, like a passport.
3. A current utility bill in your name, like your Con Edison or National Grid bill.
4. Your debit card, with your name on it.

The bill is where people get stuck, so let's go through it. The name and address on the bill have to match your license. It has to be your newest bill, or one from the last 30 days. And it can't be past due.

Bring the paper bill that came in the mail. Or log in to the company's own website on your phone and show us the bill there. A screenshot, a photocopy or a printout won't work.

Did you move, and your license still shows your old apartment? Reach out to the branch before you book. Sometimes the counter asks for one more document, so it's worth asking first if you're not sure.

Which debit cards don't work?

Your card has to come from a bank you can walk into. If your bank only lives in an app, we can't take the card. The card also has to be in the name of the person renting.

Here's what we can't take.

• Prepaid cards
• Cards from online-only banks
• Cash, checks and money orders
• Someone else's card

How much is the hold on a debit card?

It's $500 at both Brooklyn branches. That's on top of the cost of the rental.

On a debit card, a hold works like a charge. The money leaves your checking account on pickup day, and you can't spend it until it comes back. So on the day you pick up, plan for the cost of the rental plus $500 to come out.

Check your balance before you leave home. If the money isn't in the account, the card won't go through.

A credit card works differently. The hold sits on your credit limit, so the cash in your checking account stays where it is. If you have both cards, the credit card is easier on your checking account.

When do I get my $500 back?

The hold comes back after you return the car, usually within about four weeks. The exact day depends on your bank too.

Why so long? The hold covers things like tolls, tickets, a late return or damage. And tolls and parking tickets don't reach us right away. They can show up weeks after your trip. If one from your trip is still on the way, the hold can take longer. If there's an open damage claim, it stays until that's settled.

When a toll or a ticket does come in, we charge the card you rented with. If that charge doesn't go through, we take it from the hold.

You can keep those charges small. Our toll guide explains how tolls get billed. Our overnight parking guide helps you skip the tickets.

Has it been more than four weeks? Reach out to us at 855-550-0008. We'll look into it and do our best to put it right.

Which cars can I rent with a debit card?

Sedans and small to midsize SUVs. The full-size SUVs, the oversize SUVs and the vans need a credit card.

Will Drivo check my credit?

We might. Our terms say a soft credit check may be done when you pick up the car. A soft check doesn't change your credit score. It's one of the ways the counter decides if you qualify for the rental.

Your debit card checklist

Keep this on your phone for pickup day.

1. Check that your card is in your name and comes from a bank you can walk into.
2. Grab your license, a second government ID and your newest utility bill.
3. Make sure the cost of the rental plus $500 is in your checking account.
4. Plan for the $500 to be gone for about four weeks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent a car in Brooklyn with a debit card?

Yes. Both Drivo branches in Brooklyn take debit cards from local renters. Bring your license, a second government ID and a current utility bill in your name. We hold $500 on top of the cost of the rental.

Can I pay for a rental car with cash?

No. We don't take cash, checks or money orders. You need a debit card or a credit card in your own name.

Can I rent a car with no deposit?

No. Every Drivo rental has a hold. With a debit card it's $500, and it usually comes back within about four weeks of returning the car.

Can someone else's card pay for my rental?

No. The card has to be in the name of the person renting the car.

Pick up your car at Drivo Coney Island or Drivo DUMBO on York Street. Our deposit and payment rules are in the Drivo FAQ. And if anything here is unclear, reach out at 855-550-0008 and we'll talk it through.

Megan B. leads marketing for Drivo Rent A Car. Drivo has five branches in New York and New Jersey. We checked the rules in this guide in November 2026.

Sources: Drivo Rent A Car FAQ and terms (drivo.com); Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, credit inquiries that have no effect on your credit score (consumerfinance.gov).