Frequently Asked Questions
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Mint Membership
- Do I qualify for Mint membership?
- Is there special membership for business accounts?
- Is there special membership for my family?
- How do I apply?
- What if I'm unable to apply online?
- How long until I'm approved for driving?
- Am I entitled to membership with an international driver's license?
- How do I cancel my membership?
- Mint Matters
- Service usage
- Mint Numbers & Figures
- Mint Insurance
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Mint Membership
Do I qualify for Mint membership?
- All candidates must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid credit or debit card
- Have a valid driver's license (learner's permits not accepted)
- Have a clean driving record, reflecting the past 7 years of driving history?*
- *Candidates with multiple moving violations, excessive points on license, any DUI or DWI violations within the past 7 years are not eligible for membership.
Is there special membership for business accounts?
- Yes. If you would like to create a business account, please email us at mintbiz@drivemint.com and request additional information. A Mint representative will personally help you find the appropriate contract for your business and assist you through the application process.
Is there special membership for my family?
- Yes. Please email us at mintfamily@drivemint.com for special instructions.
How do I apply?
- It's easy! Please visit the Join Mint Page, choose a plan and fill out the application page.
What if I'm unable to apply online?
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If you do not have access to the web, please call us at 212.206.8555 and a Mint representative will assist you over the phone. Please call during membership hours.*
If you're on the go, stop by our office to sign up during membership hours.*
*Membership hours: Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5:30PM
How long until I'm approved for driving?
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Please allow up to 2 business days. The approval process is simple and relatively quick.* Here's what the procedure entails:
- Credit/debit card authorization
- Review driving record
- *To expedite the process, stop by our office (Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5:30PM) and sign up in person. Get approved on the spot and walk out with your new Mint keycard!
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Please keep in mind that there are some factors that may prolong the process or preclude you from membership approval:
- Credit/debit card authorization denied
- Deficient driving record
- International driver's license
Am I entitled to membership with an international driver's license?
- Yes. We accept international driver's licenses. You must obtain your own driving record and/or other official documents reflecting your driving history and driver's license validity. All documents must be translated in English. For further information on how to obtain your driving record, please email us at info@drivemint.com.
How do I cancel my membership?
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We hate to see you leave us, but we even make this process easy. Simply mail back your keycard and a small note requesting to terminate your membership. Please mail to our corporate office:
Mint, Cars On-Demand
133 W 25th Street, Suite 3E
New York, NY 10001 - There are no termination fees. Please keep in mind your membership is renewed automatically on the first day of the month of your anniversary date. We must receive your keycard at least 5 days prior to the start of the anniversary month. If you cancel your membership after the first of that month you will not be refunded the annual membership fee of $40.
- All candidates must:
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Mint Matters
What type of car can I reserve?
- Mint offers a variety of cars, ranging from economy to luxury styles. These include the SmartCar, Honda FIT, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Scion xB, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Rogue, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Mercedes C 300.
How quick can I get in a Mint vehicle?
- Reserve a car online a few minutes before you need it or up to a year in advance. Remember, all reservations are based on availability. So the sooner you know your travel plans, the better your options.
Can I drive out of state?
- Sure you can! If you plan on traveling for more than 4 days, please call us during membership hours (Monday - Friday, 9AM-5:30PM) to make special arrangements. Long-term reservations (4+days) require upfront payment.
What if I'm running late with my vehicle?
- If you're running behind schedule, or you simply would like to spend more time in your vehicle, you have a couple of options. During work hours (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5:30pm) please call 212-206-8555 and a representative in the office will extend at no charge. After hours please call 212-206-8555 and follow the recording to extend through the on-board technology, or speak to a representative ($3.50 charge). Failure to extend your reservation will result in a late fee ($25) plus the hourly rate for each hour you're late. Mint is a car-sharing service, so please realize that there may be a member waiting for your vehicle at the garage. Please respect other members' time and return your vehicle no later than you reserved it.
How do I cancel my reservation?
- All reservations must be cancelled at least 3 hours prior to the reservation start time. If you cancel within the 3 hour window you will be charged the full amount. If you are lucky and another member wants the car during your cancelled time, you will only be responsible for the unused portion. If you make a last-minute reservation, you only have a :30 minute window to cancel without charge.
Can I smoke in a Mint car?
- No way! There is a $50 fine for smoking in our vehicles.
How are tickets and violations handled?
- Members are responsible for directly paying any parking or moving violation incurred during their reservation. If Mint is forced to pay the ticket on your behalf, there will be an additional charge of $25 to the value of the ticket.
Are pets allowed in Mint cars?
- If your pet is coming along for the ride, please keep them in animal carriers. Clean the vehicle interior after your reservation is over if hair or dirt is left behind. Be mindful of the fact that the next driver might have allergies to pet hair.
- Members and passengers accompanied by a service animal are not required to keep their animal in a carrier.
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Service Usage
Where can I pick up a car and car key?
- Please visit our Carparks Page and check out our locations. All of our cars live in surface lots or garages. The car keys are in the vehicle or with the garage attendant.
How do I start/end my Mint reservation?
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It's simple! Your reservation starts after the initial keycard scan. All vehicles must be dropped off at the same location it was picked up from. To properly end your reservation, please take the following three steps:
- Pull into garage and turn off ignition
- Scan keycard for last time after exiting the vehicle
What is a Smartcard and how do I use it?
- A Smartcard (Mint keycard) is the card that gives you access to your vehicle. It is used for locking and unlocking the car doors. Always take the keys with you during your reservation - do not leave them in the vehicle!
- You scan the Smartcard over the keycard reader located on the windshield on the driver's side. The Smartcard issued to you is yours for as long as you're a Mint member. If parking at a non-Mint garage, please be advised that you must accompany any valet attendant to the car since only the Smartcard will operate the vehicle.
Do I get free mileage?
- Yes. 180 miles are included in each reservation per 24-hour period. Distance exceeding 180 miles within a 24-hour period is billed at $0.40 - $0.50 per mile, depending on the class of vehicle. For reservations longer than one 24-hour period, excess mileage will be prorated 30 miles per hour (up to 6 hours) on the following day (or days).
Do I get free gas?
- Yes. Mint pays for all gas! All vehicles are equipped with a universal fuel card, which is kept in the slot of the on-board technology.
Will my vehicle have an E-ZPass tag?
- Yes. All vehicles are equipped with E-ZPass tags to help expedite your travels. Mint members are responsible for all toll charges plus a 10% processing fee. E-ZPass transactions are processed within a week of your reservation.
What if I need hand controls in my Mint Car?
- With 10 days notice, we can accomodate our disabled members with the appropriate hand controls. Please note that not every vehicle may be equipped with hand controls.
Can non-Mint members drive Mint cars?
- No! Mint-approved members are the only persons eligible to drive Mint vehicles. There is a fine for car-sharing amongst non-members. If this policy is violated, all fines will be billed directly to the Mint member whose name is under the reservation. If any damage occurs during the reservation, the Mint member holds sole liability.
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Mint Numbers & Figures
What type of payment plans do you offer? And what are the rates?
- There are two types of Mint plans:
How does billing and payment work?
- All billing and payment is done automatically and electronically. All reservation costs are directly charged/debited to the card on file at the end of the reservation. An invoice is generated within 24-hours of your reservation and may be viewed in your online account. Please note: You are billed for the amount of time you reserve the vehicle. Any toll charges and/or penalties will be billed later.
How do I update my billing information?
- If you need to update your billing information, please e-mail info@drivemint.com to request your billing information be reset. A customer service representative will respond shortly thereafter and inform you when you're able to log online and insert your new billing information. You may also update your billing information over the phone. Please note: All billing resets must be requested during membership hours (9AM - 5:30PM, Monday through Friday).
What other fees should I know about?
- For a complete list of fees, see Fees & Fines.
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Mint Insurance
Is insurance included?
- Yes. Your Mint membership includes coverage up to the NY State minimum levels.
What about additional insurance?
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All members are given the option to purchase a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW).
- CDW, though technically not collision insurance, waives the right for a rental car company to recover money from the renter if the vehicle is damaged or stolen. This does not cover damages made to someone else's vehicle during your rental (third party damages).
- Each policy can be purchased on a yearly or daily basis.
Is there a damage fee?
- Yes. The damage fee, or deductible, is $500. If a Mint vehicle is in an accident and the member is at fault, or no-fault is established, the member is responsible for the first $500 of the total price of the claim. This claim includes all costs from any party associated with the accident.