Santa Monica Municipal Airport Car Rentals: Best Rates & Zero Hidden Fees

Yes, if your license is in English—you can rent and drive directly. If it's in another language, you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original license. The IDP costs about $20 and is valid for 1 year. Without both documents, rental companies may refuse to give you the car, even if you have a reservation. U.S. licenses are accepted universally at all California rental counters.

Street parking costs $1.50–$3.00 per hour depending on the zone, and parking structures run $15–$35 per day in tourist areas like Third Street Promenade and the pier. Many restaurants and shops offer free parking validation if you spend a certain amount—usually $10–$25. Pro tip: park in structures rather than street meters on hot days; your car won't overheat and you'll avoid feeding the meter constantly.

The minimum age is 21 across California, but drivers under 25 face a Young Driver Surcharge of roughly $25–$35 per day. Some specialty vehicles (sports cars, SUVs) have higher minimum ages of 25 or even 30. At 21, your options are limited—avoid convertible Corvettes or Jeeps as they're often 25+. Budget an extra $150–$250 per week if you're under 25.

If you're from the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa, your English-language license is typically accepted as-is at California rental counters—no IDP required. However, having one anyway ($20 from AAA) removes any ambiguity and speeds up the process. If you're from a non-English speaking country, the IDP is mandatory, not optional.

Santa Monica itself has no toll roads, but if you drive to San Diego via Orange County or use the 73/241 toll roads, expect to pay $5–$15 per trip. Rental companies offer transponders (like FasTrak) for $15–$30 per rental plus toll charges at higher rates. It's cheaper to pay tolls with your own transponder or pay within 5 days online at TheTollRoads.com. Without a transponder, expect a bill to your rental address.

California has strict laws that surprise many visitors: (1) Turn right on red is legal unless posted—except in Los Angeles city limits where it's prohibited at many intersections. (2) Using any handheld phone while driving is illegal—hands-free only. (3) Slower traffic must pull over on two-lane mountain roads—failure to do so results in fines. (4) The carpool/HOV lane requires 2+ occupants unless a hybrid/EV with a special sticker. Ignorance costs $150–$500 per violation.