TURO rental car — TURO is redefining how Bham rents vehicles. Photo via Jacob Blankenship for Bham Now

Has it always been your dream to drive a Lamborghini? Need a truck to help you move? Or, maybe you’re headed on a family road trip and your day-to-day sedan won’t cut it. Well, that’s where TURO comes in. They’re redefining how Birmingham rents cars, and we’ve got all the scoop.

What is TURO?

TURO is a “car sharing marketplace” with a model similar to Airbnb or VRBO. The general concept is the same—those wanting a little extra cash can consider renting out their car, and folks wanting a little adventure can rent a car for a while.

TURO offers a wide variety of car rental options, so there’s something for everyone. Some popular options include:

All-wheel drive
Classic cars
Convertibles
Deluxe and super deluxe (!!)
Electric
Pet-friendly

How does it work?

TURO is making things easy. You can filter by car type, location or date, and then you’re ready to cruise on a new set of wheels. Whether you choose to stay close to home or set out on a new adventure, Birmingham drivers are in for a treat—the website boasts over 14 million total users across the US, Canada and UK with 450,000 vehicles listed.

We did a little test run for our area, and as you can see above there’s LOTS of availability. So, what’ll it be? A Tesla or a Jeep? Perhaps a Benz?

Rental Requirements

jeep rental car — Catch me rolling up to work in this. Photo via Unsplash, Wes Tindel

Like any good party, there are a few rules. According to their website, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, create a TURO account and be approved to drive.

Don’t stress though, most people get approved to drive immediately. You’ll just need to enter your license number and a few other details so they can review your application and finalize your profile.

Need more info before you get rolling? Their websit e has full deets on things like insurance coverage, accidents and cleaning/safety policies.

TURO is shaking up the rental car industry

Like many other things, the rental car industry was turned upside down due to COVID. Sky-high rental prices, low availability and ramped up demand opened the door for new rental programs like TURO.

TURO isn’t just for renters, either. The other side of the site is an excellent entrepreneurial opportunity. Much like Airbnb, some Birmingham residents are using the platform as their new side hustle.

You ready to zoom around The Magic City? Let us know @BhamNow