Zipcar for Universities FAQs

Joining

How do I sign up for the university program? 

  1. visit https://www.zipcar.com/universities to find your school
  2. Choose a plan (student, faculty/staff, or alumni)
  3. Submit your application with your .edu email, driver's license, and selfie for verification. 

Most applications are approved in minutes. To check the status of your application, click here. 


Eligibility 

Who can join the university program? 

To join a university account, you must be 18+ years old and meet standard Zipcar eligibility requirements. Find all Zipcar eligibility requirements here. 

Can international students or those under 21 join? 

Yes, we accept international driver's licenses. For more information on eligibility and driver's license requirements, click here. 

Can I drive a Zipcar with a provisional license?

Yes, you can apply for Zipcar membership and drive with a provisional license. Provisional licenses are also called intermediate licenses, probationary licenses, or junior operator licenses. 

Learn more about provisional licenses here. 

How quickly can I drive after signing up? 

Most applicants are approved instantly and can book a trip within minutes. If we need to verify some details, approval will take a few more business days, and more information may be requested. Need to check the status of your application? Click here. 

 

Membership & Costs 

How much does it cost to have a membership?

We offer many universities discounted memberships for students, faculty & staff, and alumni. 

Want to confirm your program's membership fees? Go to https://www.zipcar.com/universities and search for your university. 

What's included? 

  • Gas and EV charging—you'll find gas cards in every Zipcar
  • 180 miles per day ($0.67 per mile after that)
  • Secondary insurance options
  • A free, designated parking spot
  • Maintenance by our pros
  • 24/7 roadside assistance at 866-4ZIPCAR

What are some fees & charges I might pay as a University member?

We're always transparent about the cost of Zipcar membership and standard driving rates. Sometimes other fees and charges will apply, and we'll also be upfront and clear about what they are and why. here are some details:

Application fee

There's no application fee when a driver applies for membership through our university program. 

We charge non-university applicants a one-time $25 application fee. It covers the cost of pulling driving records and reviewing and approving applications. The application fee is non-refundable and applicants pay it whether they're approved for membership or not. 

University Department Account setup

A University Department Account puts all drivers on your staff on a single account to help you streamline your transportation and budget management. There's no setup fee—just an annual membership fee for each driver. Ready to set one up? Click here to submit a request.

Young Driver Fee

If you're under 25 and booking a trip in the US, a young driver fee will be added to your trip. This allows us to offer coverage to all drivers. 

  • The fee is waived on trips that start after you turn 25.
  • Your fee varies based on your exact age, location, and whether the car is based on campus or not.
  • We'll always show you the fee before you book.
Young Driver Fee for on-campus cars 

Here are the starting rates for the young driver fee. Rates vary by location and driver age and apply to on-campus rentals. 

New York:  
Age 18-20: $5.25 per hour, $42 per day 
Age 21-24: $2.25 per hour, $17.50 per day

All other cities:  
Age 18-20: $1.50 per hour, $12 per day 
Age 21-24: $0.75 per hour, $6 per day

Fees listed above are effective August 8, 2025 but are subject to change.

Mileage Fee

Discounted university memberships include 180 miles (or 180 km) per 24-hour period. Need more time? Each extra hour adds 20 miles (15 km), up to a daily maximum of 180 miles (180 km).

Any extra miles you drive will be billed at $0.67 per mile ($0.50 CAD/km). 

Can I get additional protections like damage and liability insurance? 

Yes, you have options to buy extra insurance coverage, depending on what protection you're looking for and your university affiliation. Find out more here. 

What if my university status changes (e.g., graduation)? 

We offer student memberships through University partnerships. They're valid for up to 6 years. After your student membership expires, you may be moved to Zipcar's standard alumni plan. Learn more here. 

 

Booking & Driving

How do I reserve a Zipcar? 

  1. Use the Zipcar app or website to find cars near you.
  2. Choose your time slots to book the Zipcar by the hour or day.
  3. Unlock the car with the app and lock it when you're done. 

Want to learn more about taking a trip? Check out What do I need to know before my first trip?

Where do I pick up and return Zipcars? 

You'll find cars parked on or around campus and throughout cities in the US and Canada. 

We're a roundtrip service. Unless told otherwise, always return your Zipcar to it's home location—where you picked the vehicle up from—at the end of your trip. 

If you're returning the car to a location that has more than one Zipcar parking space, any of them will do.