Car Rental Agency in Memphis

June 15, 2026

A car rental agency gives Memphis travelers and residents short-term access to a vehicle without the cost of owning one, whether the need is a sedan for a business trip, an SUV for a family visit, a passenger van for a church group or sports team, or a cargo van for a move. Renting cars in Tennessee requires no special professional license beyond ordinary business registration, so the differences that matter to renters are practical ones: the type of agency, the location, the fleet, and the terms in the rental agreement. Memphis is Tennessee’s second largest city, with a population of roughly 619,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and as a major distribution, logistics, and tourism center anchored by Memphis International Airport, it supports a wide range of rental operations.

The Memphis market includes several agency types. Major national brands operate at Memphis International Airport (MEM), where rental companies are consolidated in a Rental Car Center, and at neighborhood branches across Shelby County for renters who want a familiar booking system. Independent licensees and locally owned operators add depth: a long-established truck-and-car rental company offering everything from economy cars to cargo and passenger vans, and family-owned van specialists serving groups, church congregations, and accessibility needs. Airport pickups add convenience but typically carry concession and facility fees that in-town and suburban locations do not, so the same vehicle class can cost differently depending on where it is rented.

Tennessee does not license car rental as a profession, but rentals carry specific taxes. The state collects its 7% sales tax plus the local option tax on rental charges; in Shelby County the combined rate reaches 9.75%. On top of sales tax, Tennessee imposes an Automobile Rental Surcharge Tax of 3% on the gross proceeds of any private passenger vehicle rented for 31 days or less, under TCA 67-4-1901, and that surcharge applies to related charges such as gas and insurance whether or not they are separately itemized. Counties may add up to 2% (TCA 67-4-1907) and metropolitan governments up to 1% (TCA 67-4-1908). Peer-to-peer car sharing is handled separately under the statute. A rental business registers through the county clerk and the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point and remits these taxes to the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

Beyond price, the rental agreement is where the important terms live. Renters should confirm the minimum age (many agencies set 25, with a young-renter fee for ages 21 to 24), the documentation required, and whether a collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver is offered, what it covers, and how it interacts with personal auto insurance or a credit card benefit. Fuel and mileage policies vary: standard cars often use a full-to-full fuel policy and unlimited mileage, while van and specialty rentals may cap mileage or set delivery terms. Tennessee’s consumer protection framework, administered by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), handles complaints about deceptive practices and undisclosed fees, so renters should request a written, itemized agreement separating the base rate, taxes, surcharge, waivers, and any add-ons before signing.

Top Car Rental Agency Providers in Memphis

1. Budget Car and Truck Rental of Memphis

Address: 2491 Winchester Road, Suite #104, Memphis, TN 38116
Phone: (901) 398-8888
Website: https://www.budgetmemphis.com
Services: car rental, truck rental, passenger and cargo van rental, sedans, luxury cars, convertibles, SUVs, electric vehicles, minivans, moving trucks
Description: Budget Car and Truck Rental of Memphis is an independent licensee of Budget Rent A Car System that has served the Memphis community for more than 40 years. The location at 2491 Winchester Road sits inside the Consolidated Rental Car Center at Memphis International Airport and is open seven days a week, with hours running into late evening on most days. The operation maintains a broad inventory that spans fuel-efficient economy cars, sedans, luxury cars, convertibles, SUVs, electric vehicles, minivans, passenger vans, cargo vans, and moving trucks, which lets it serve both leisure travelers arriving at the airport and businesses needing cargo or van capacity. In addition to the airport, the company operates multiple branches across the Memphis metro, including locations in the Bartlett/Wolfchase and Cordova/Germantown areas.

2. Vans To Go

Address: 5472 Summer Avenue, Memphis, TN 38134
Phone: (901) 382-7676
Website: https://vanstogo.com
Services: 7-passenger van rental, 12-passenger van rental, 15-passenger van rental, wheelchair accessible van rental, daily, weekly, and monthly rentals
Description: Vans To Go is a locally owned, family-operated van rental company in Memphis that has been in business since 1991 and reports more than 40 years of combined experience in the automotive industry. The company specializes in passenger vans, with a fleet that includes 7-passenger, 12-passenger, and 15-passenger vans, along with wheelchair accessible vans equipped with side-entry ramps. Its rentals are geared toward church groups, family trips, corporate meetings, and accessibility needs, and vehicles are available by the day, week, or month. The business is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is a BBB-accredited company, making it a focused alternative to general car rental counters for renters who specifically need group or accessible transportation.

3. Vans4U

Address: 446 Distribution Parkway, Collierville, TN 38017
Phone: (901) 610-3124
Website: https://www.vans4u.biz
Services: 7, 12, and 15-passenger van rental, high-roof passenger vans, cargo vans, pickup trucks, van delivery
Description: Vans4U is a Memphis-area van and vehicle rental company based in Collierville that serves group, team, and commercial transportation needs across the metro. Its fleet ranges from 7, 12, and 15-passenger vans, including 15-passenger high-roof models, to cargo vehicles and pickup trucks, with specific units that have included a GMC Sierra 2500HD, Mercedes Sprinter cargo and passenger vans, a Ford Transit High Roof, and a Chevrolet Traverse. The company emphasizes late-model, low-mileage vehicles, offers unlimited mileage with no per-mile charge, and provides van delivery within a 15-mile radius of its location. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and positions itself for team and group transportation as well as cargo hauling.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Rental Agency in Memphis

Q: Do you need a special license to operate a car rental agency in Memphis?

No. Tennessee does not require a separate professional or occupational license to rent cars. An agency registers as a business through the county clerk and the Tennessee Taxpayer Access Point, collects and remits the applicable taxes, and complies with general consumer protection law. The differences among Memphis agencies come from the type of operation, the location, and the fleet rather than from any state rental license.

Q: How much tax is charged on a car rental in Memphis?

Two layers apply. Tennessee’s 7% state sales tax plus Shelby County’s local option tax bring the combined sales tax rate to 9.75%, and that applies to the rental. On top of that, Tennessee imposes a 3% Automobile Rental Surcharge Tax under TCA 67-4-1901 on private passenger vehicles rented for 31 days or less, calculated on the gross proceeds including related charges. Counties and metropolitan governments may add further local rental surcharges. Renters should ask for an itemized quote showing the base rate, sales tax, and the rental surcharge separately.

Q: Where can I rent a passenger van for a group in Memphis?

Several Memphis-area operators specialize in passenger vans for groups, church congregations, and sports teams. Local van specialists rent 7, 12, and 15-passenger vans, with some offering high-roof models, wheelchair accessible vans with ramps, and delivery within a set radius. Full-service rental companies also carry minivans and passenger vans alongside their car fleets. Because van rentals often carry their own insurance and mileage terms, confirm passenger capacity, the mileage policy, and any delivery options when booking.

Q: What is a collision damage waiver and is it required?

A collision damage waiver (CDW), sometimes called a loss damage waiver, is an optional add-on in which the agency waives or limits the renter’s financial responsibility for damage to the rental vehicle, subject to its terms. It is not insurance and is not legally required. Many renters already have coverage through a personal auto policy or a credit card benefit, so it is worth confirming existing coverage before purchasing the waiver and reading exactly what the waiver excludes.

Q: What are the age requirements to rent a car in Memphis?

Most agencies require renters to be at least 25, though many will rent to drivers ages 21 to 24 with an additional young-renter surcharge. Van and specialty rentals may set their own age and insurance requirements because of vehicle size or value. Requirements vary by agency, so confirm the minimum age, any underage fee, and the insurance and documentation rules directly with the location before booking.

Q: How do I file a complaint about a Memphis car rental agency?

Complaints about deceptive practices, undisclosed fees, or disputes over damage charges can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Keeping the signed rental agreement, the itemized receipt, photographs of the vehicle at pickup and return, and any related correspondence strengthens a complaint. For questions about the rental surcharge or sales tax, the Tennessee Department of Revenue is the responsible agency.