There is an adage that the law is usually at least five years behind technology. If that’s the case, keeping a car rental operation compliant is no easy task. At the 2013 Car Rental Show, this year’s Legal and Legislative Update will highlight issues with technology and compliance with the law.

“The vehicle rental business is highly regulated by state governments,” says Leslie Pujo of LaPlaca Pujo, P.C., who will present the seminar. “The question in 2013 is no longer whether the state laws apply, but rather how they apply to changing technology, like electronic rental agreements, and changing customer demands, like car sharing services.”

These issues include:

• How can rental companies protect themselves from claims of damage recovery and toll collection “conspiracies”?

• Does the renter really need to separately initial the rental agreement to show acceptance or rejection of optional products?

• Can you alter terms of insurance coverage through the rental agreement?

• Is it permissible to vary state disclosures to better reflect the rental company’s own practices?

• Do you really have to inspect the driver’s license photo and signature in every state?  What if you offer a car sharing service and don’t actually interact with the renter?

In the seminar Pujo will highlight cases relating to these examples as well as other important cases affecting the car rental industry in the last year and moving forward. A handout of case reviews will be provided.

This general seminar starts at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16. The 2013 Car Rental Show takes place April 15-16, 2013 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas. To see the full schedule and to register for the event, go to www.carrentalshow.com.