How to check in and checkout for a trip

Fast Facts:

  • Some hosts meet their guests in person for check-in. Others conduct contactless check-in. In either case, you’ll need to share your license information with your host so they can verify your identity.
  • Thoroughly document the vehicle’s condition at check-in and checkout. This will make it easy for us to resolve any erroneous damage claims or reimbursement requests. 
  • Turo accepts some temporary licenses from specific US states and from Canada. Contact customer support to confirm that we’ll accept your temporary license.   
  • If you’ve booked a trip in a Turo Go car, read this Turo Go article for guests to learn about check-in and checkout. 

How do I check in for a trip? 

There are two things you must do at trip check-in: 1) verify your identity and 2) document the condition of the vehicle. You’ll either meet your host at check-in and verify your identity in person or your host will conduct contactless check-in and verify your identity online. Read on for  instructions for in-person check-in, contactless check-in, and documenting a vehicle’s condition.  

Guest check-in instructions: identity verification 

In-person check-in 

The primary guest on the trip must be the one to meet the host and present their current, valid driver’s license for the host’s review. Keep these check-in guidelines in mind: 

  • Hosts cannot give the car to anyone who is listed as an additional driver on the trip. 
  • Hosts cannot give keys to any guest who arrives without their license in hand or whose license is not valid. 
  • Turo accepts some temporary licenses from specific US states and from Canada. If you have a temporary license, we strongly recommend you contact customer support well in advance of your trip to confirm that we’ll accept it. 
    • In the US, your temporary license must have a photo of you on it. If it doesn’t, you must also present one piece of valid government ID. 
    • In Canada, you must always present one piece of valid government ID along with your temporary license. 

Contactless check-in 

Because you’re not meeting your host face to face, you (the primary guest) must upload license photos for your host to review. Turo accepts temporary licenses from some US states and from Canada. If you have a temporary license, we strongly recommend you contact customer support well in advance of your trip to confirm that we’ll accept it. See the list of required photos for contactless check-in below and instructions for how and when to upload check-in photos.    

Required photos for contactless check-in

The following photos are required for contactless check-in: 

  • Close-up photo of your driver’s license with the first few digits of the license number  obscured. If you have a temporary license from a US state, the license must have a photo of you on it. If it doesn’t, you must also submit a photo of a valid piece of government ID. 
  • Selfie of you holding your license next to your face
  • If you have a temporary Canadian license: A photo of a piece of valid government ID 

How to upload check-in photos

Follow these instructions for uploading your check-in identity verification photos:  

  1. Log onto Turo and open your Trips tab.
  2. Choose “Booked” from the dropdown menu.
  3. Scroll down to the TRIP PHOTOS section.
  4. Tap “Share a photo” and upload the pictures from your device. 

When to upload check-in photos

Follow these timing guidelines for uploading check-in photos:

  • You must upload the required verification photos 24 hours or less before your trip start time. 
  • Hosts will not give you vehicle access if you haven’t uploaded photos within this timeframe.    
  • If you arrive late to pick up the vehicle and haven’t uploaded verification photos, your host may think you’re a “no-show” and cancel the trip. If that happens, you won’t be entitled to a refund. 

Guest check-in instructions: documenting the vehicle’s condition 

In-person and contactless check-in 

What photos to take

To easily resolve any damage claims or reimbursement requests, you must take photos to document the vehicle’s condition. Plan to take these photos at check-in:

  • Dashboard photos: Show the mileage and the fuel/charge level. 
  • Interior photos: Show the cleanliness and condition of seats, floors, and center console.
  • Exterior photos: Show the cleanliness and condition of windows, sides, bumpers, and wheels. 

How to upload photos 

If you use the check-in feature in the Turo mobile app, you’ll be prompted to upload vehicle  photos. Once the prompts end, you can still upload more photos. If you’re using Turo on the web, you’ll upload your pictures to Trip photos. Here’s how: 

  1. Log onto Turo and open your Trips tab. 
  2. Choose “Booked” from the dropdown menu.
  3. Scroll down to the TRIP PHOTOS section.
  4. Tap “Share a photo” and upload the pictures from your device. 

Guest checkout instructions: documenting vehicle condition 

When you return your host’s vehicle at the end of a trip, be sure to:

  • Refill the fuel or recharge the battery to the same level as at check-in.
  • Take dashboard photos showing the mileage and fuel/charge level.
  • Tidy up the vehicle with these cleaning guidelines and fee reminders in mind.
  • Take and upload interior and exterior photos that show the cleanliness and any damage.
    • Post-trip photos protect you from any damage claim that’s not your responsibility. 
    • If you did cause damage to the vehicle, file a damage report in our Claims resolution center. 
  • If you’re parking on the street, check that you’ve chosen a spot where the vehicle will be legally safe for 24 hours. You’re responsible for any parking tickets incurred within 24 hours after the trip end. 

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