Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Boston Measure Would Require RACs to Report Renters to RMV

In an attempt to solve crimes sooner, one Boston councilmember proposes that the city gain electronic access to information on customers who rent a vehicle for more than 30 days.

by Staff
September 13, 2011
2 min to read


Boston City Councilmember Rob Consalvo hopes to get auto rental companies involved in fighting crime, according to the council’s August meeting minutes and a separate document filed by Consalvo Aug. 24.

Consalvo is pushing forward a measure that would require car rental agencies to report their customers’ names to the city’s Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) database each time they rent a car for more than 30 days.

Ad Loading...

The law would allow police officers to quickly obtain license plate and driver information when a rented vehicle is involved. The order document from Consalvo cites that criminals use rental cars, “in part because the name of the renter of the vehicle is hard to trace quickly.”

Currently in Boston, once police obtain the license plate information of a rental vehicle involved in a crime, only the name of the rental company is immediately available. “Police officers should have the information on who rented the vehicle in real time to ensure the quickest investigation possible,” the order contends, adding that through RMV police would be able to access the information electronically, whereas current law only requires a written record which must be obtained through contact with the rental agency.

The Boston Herald reports that the city has a long history of rental car use in crimes, such as a shooting that seriously injured a man in early September.

Consalvo’s order has been referred to the city’s committee on public safety, and according to the Boston Herald, a hearing is scheduled for Sept. 26.

More Rental Operations

plane, palm trees, car rental sign
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownSeptember 15, 2026

Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap

A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.

Read More →
Team members of U-Save's new franchise
Rental Operationsby StaffSeptember 15, 2026

U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana

The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.

Read More →
A traveler searches for rental cars with an AI bot
Rental OperationsSeptember 14, 2026

When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?

As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)

Read More →
Ad Loading...
map of europe and summer car rental rates
Rental OperationsSeptember 11, 2026

European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country

Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.

Read More →
thumbnail of Chris Brown and Mike DeLorenzo with title Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownSeptember 8, 2026

Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?

As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.

Read More →
Woman receiving car rental rates on computer from AI agent
Rental OperationsSeptember 1, 2026

Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental

Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)

Read More →
Ad Loading...
map of globe with regional corporate car rental rates
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 25, 2026

U.S. Business Travel Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise Up to 2%

Improved fleet supply should limit pricing gains in 2026-27, while insurance, repair costs, and softer residual values continue to pressure rental operations, according to Amex GBT.

Read More →
Sixt H1 financial results
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 14, 2026

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026

Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.

Read More →
Bobby Klyce in memoriam image
Rental Operationsby Chris BrownAugust 13, 2026

In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend

The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Vibe coding webinar promo image
Rental Operationsby StaffAugust 12, 2026

How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]

A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.

Read More →
Ad Loading...