What Sixt Is and How to Rent From Them

Sixt is a car rental company with locations in the United States and around the world. You reserve a vehicle online or by phone, pick it up at one of their locations, drive it for as long as you need, and return it. The rental period can be a few hours, a full day, a week, or longer. Sixt charges by the day or by the hour depending on what you book, and you pay when you pick up the car or sometimes when you reserve it.

Sixt operates differently from some other rental companies. They focus on newer vehicles, often less than a year old. Many of their locations are at airports, but they also have branches in city centers and suburban areas. You can book through their website, their mobile app, or by calling their reservation line.

The basic process is straightforward: you choose your dates and location, select a car type, add any extras you want (like insurance or GPS), and complete the reservation. On pickup day, you show your driver's license and a credit card, inspect the vehicle with a Sixt employee, and drive away. When you return the car, they check it for damage, refuel if needed, and you settle any final charges.

Key Takeaways

  • Sixt rents newer vehicles by the day or hour through their website, app, or phone, with pickup and return at their locations.
  • You need a valid driver's license and a credit card at pickup, and you must be at least 21 years old (some locations require 25 for certain car types).
  • The rental price covers the vehicle itself, but insurance, fuel, tolls, and parking are usually separate charges you can add or pay yourself.
  • Damage charges, late fees, and fuel overage costs are common extra expenses, so inspect the car at pickup and understand the fuel policy before you drive away.
  • Sixt's cancellation and modification policies vary by location and booking type, so check your reservation details for important date and fees.

What You Need to Rent a Car From Sixt

To rent from Sixt, you must have a valid driver's license issued by a U.S. state, a Canadian province, or another country. The license must be current and not suspended. You also need a credit card in your own name — debit cards are not accepted for the rental deposit, though some locations may allow them for final payment.

You must be at least 21 years old. If you are under 25, Sixt may charge an additional daily fee called a "young driver surcharge." Some vehicle types, such as luxury or premium cars, may have a minimum age requirement of 25. These age policies vary by location, so check when you book.

At pickup, bring your driver's license and the credit card you used to reserve the car. If someone else will drive the car, they must also present a valid license and be listed as an additional driver on the reservation — Sixt charges a fee for each additional driver. Some locations may ask for a second form of identification or proof of address.

How Sixt Pricing Works

Sixt quotes a daily or hourly rate for the base rental. This price depends on the car type you choose, the dates you rent, the location, and how far in advance you book. Booking early usually costs less than booking a few days before pickup. Prices also change based on demand — busy travel seasons and weekends typically cost more than quiet weekdays.

The quoted price covers only the vehicle itself. You will see separate line items for other charges. Insurance is optional but strongly recommended; Sixt offers collision damage waiver (CDW), theft protection, and third-party liability coverage. Fuel is usually sold separately — you can prepay for a full tank at a discounted rate, or you can return the car empty and pay Sixt's per-gallon rate, which is higher than gas station prices. GPS rental, additional drivers, and tolls or parking fees are also add-ons.

When you return the car, Sixt will charge you for any damage beyond normal wear, any missing fuel, late return fees if you keep the car past your reservation end time, and any traffic violations or tolls incurred during the rental. These charges appear on your credit card after you return the vehicle, sometimes days later.

Damage Inspections and What Happens If the Car Is Damaged

Before you drive away, a Sixt employee will walk around the car with you and point out any existing dents, scratches, or damage. This is called the damage inspection. You should look carefully at every side of the vehicle, including the roof, undercarriage, and interior. If you see damage that is not already noted on the inspection form, tell the employee when ready and ask them to mark it. Take photos of the car's condition with your phone if you can.

When you return the car, Sixt will inspect it again. If there is new damage, they will charge you for repairs. The amount depends on the severity — a small scratch might cost $100 to $500, while major damage can cost thousands. If you purchased their damage waiver insurance, you typically pay only a deductible (often $0 to $1,500 depending on the policy) and the insurance covers the rest. Without insurance, you pay the full repair cost.

Sixt may also charge you for damage they discover after you return the car, even if you did not notice it during your rental. This is why the damage inspection at pickup is so important — it protects you by creating a record of what was already wrong.

Fuel, Late Returns, and Other Common Charges

Fuel charges are a major source of extra costs. When you book, Sixt will offer you a prepaid fuel option — you pay a set price upfront for a full tank, and you return the car empty. This is usually cheaper per gallon than paying Sixt's rates at return. If you decline prepaid fuel and return the car with less than a full tank, Sixt charges you their per-gallon rate, which is typically $2 to $4 more per gallon than local gas stations.

If you return the car after your reservation end time, you will be charged a late fee. This fee varies by location but is often $40 to $75 per hour or a full day's rental rate if you are more than a few hours late. Some locations charge a grace period of 30 minutes or an hour, but do not count on it — return the car on time to avoid this charge.

Traffic violations, parking tickets, and tolls incurred during your rental are your responsibility. Sixt will charge you for these if they receive a bill from a government agency. They may also add a processing fee on top of the ticket or toll amount. If you use a toll road, check whether Sixt has a toll payment program or whether you need to pay the toll yourself.

Cancellation, Changes, and What Happens If Plans Change

Sixt allows you to cancel or modify your reservation, but the terms depend on your booking type and location. Some reservations can be cancelled free of charge up to a certain time before pickup — often 24 or 48 hours. Others have a cancellation fee no matter when you cancel. Check your confirmation email for the specific cancellation important date and any fees.

If you need to change your pickup or return date, you can usually modify the reservation through the Sixt website or app, or by calling their customer service line. Changing dates may result in a price difference — if the new dates are cheaper, you may receive a credit; if they are more expensive, you will owe the difference. Some bookings cannot be modified and must be cancelled and rebooked.

If you need to return the car earlier than planned, you can do so, but Sixt will not refund the unused days. If you need to keep the car longer, call Sixt as soon as possible to extend the reservation. Keeping the car past your return time without extending it will trigger late fees.

Insurance Options and What They Cover

Sixt offers several insurance products at the time of booking. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) covers damage to the rental car from accidents, collisions, or vandalism. You typically pay a deductible ($0 to $1,500) and the insurance covers repair costs above that. Theft protection covers the car if it is stolen. Third-party liability covers damage you cause to other vehicles or property.

Your personal auto insurance or credit card may already cover rental cars, so check your policy before buying Sixt's insurance. Many credit cards offer rental car coverage if you charge the entire rental to that card. If your personal coverage applies, you may not need to buy Sixt's product. However, if you are not covered, purchasing Sixt's insurance is worth the cost — repair bills for rental cars are expensive.

Sixt's insurance does not cover damage from off-road driving, racing, or using the car for commercial purposes like rideshare. It also does not cover personal belongings left in the car. Read the terms of any insurance you purchase to understand what is and is not covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a Sixt car if I have an international driver's license?

Yes, Sixt accepts international driver's licenses at most U.S. locations, but the license must be valid and current. Some locations may also require an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your home country license. Call the specific Sixt location where you plan to pick up the car to confirm their requirements.

What happens if I return the car with damage I did not cause?

If you report the damage at pickup and it is noted on the inspection form, you will not be charged for it. If you did not report it at pickup and Sixt discovers it at return, they may charge you. This is why the initial damage inspection is critical — inspect the car thoroughly and ask the employee to document any existing damage before you drive away.

Can I add another driver after I have already booked?

Yes, you can add additional drivers through the Sixt website, app, or by calling customer service. Each additional driver must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver's license. Sixt charges a fee per additional driver, usually $10 to $15 per day. At pickup, all drivers must present their licenses.

What should I do if I get a traffic ticket or parking ticket during my rental?

If you receive a ticket, pay it yourself or provide the citation details to Sixt if they ask. Sixt will not pay traffic violations on your behalf. If Sixt receives a bill from a government agency, they will charge your credit card and may add a processing fee. Keep receipts of any tickets you pay to avoid duplicate charges.

Is there a grace period if I return the car a few minutes late?

Some Sixt locations offer a grace period of 30 minutes to an hour, but this is not may provide. To be safe, plan to return the car before your reservation end time. If you are running late, call Sixt to extend your reservation — it is cheaper than paying a late fee.