Quick answer
Self-drive if you qualify and the day is about driving; chauffeured if the day is about arriving. Self-drive requires renters to be at least 21 years old with a valid driver's license, qualifying full-coverage insurance (minimum limits $100K/$300K/$100K), and the car's refundable security deposit — $2,000 to $7,500 depending on the vehicle. A chauffeured booking puts a vetted professional driver in any car on the fleet, so the age minimum and self-drive insurance requirement don't apply to your party — which is why it's the route for younger guests of honor, weddings, and every prom reservation, where a private driver is always included. Cars carry the same from-rates either way; chauffeured packages are quoted individually around your route and hours through our chauffeur service.
What self-drive requires
Self-drive is a standard DDE rental: you take the keys, and the checklist applies. You'll need to be 21 or older (18–20 considered case-by-case; some models carry a higher minimum), hold a valid driver's license, and carry full-coverage insurance — comprehensive, collision, and liability with minimum limits of $100K/$300K/$100K — that covers the rental vehicle. Our team verifies license and coverage before every handover, and the refundable deposit ($2,000–$7,500 by vehicle, shown on each car's page) is authorized before handover and released 24–72 hours after the rental ends. The complete rundown, payment methods included, is in our requirements guide.
How chauffeured bookings work
Every chauffeured journey pairs a vetted professional driver with the right vehicle from the fleet — discreet, punctual, and impeccably presented. From a single executive transfer to full event logistics, the itinerary is coordinated end to end: airport pick-ups at O'Hare, Midway, and Tampa International come with flight tracking and meet-and-greet, so your driver is there no matter the delay. Because every route and schedule is different, chauffeured packages are quoted individually — tell the concierge your occasion, route, and hours and the quote covers the whole plan.
When the chauffeur is the answer
- You're too young to self-drive, or your insurance doesn't qualify. The self-drive checklist doesn't apply to chauffeured passengers — it's the route into the fleet for everyone the requirements exclude.
- Weddings. Most couples choose a chauffeured arrival so delivery, timing, and the entrance are handled — details on the wedding car rental page.
- Prom. Not optional, by design: every prom reservation includes a professional private driver.
- Airport and executive runs. Flight-tracked pick-ups and a driver who waits, so the schedule bends to you.
- The back seat is the point. In a Rolls-Royce Ghost or Cullinan, being driven is the full experience — the Rolls-Royce rental page covers both.
When self-drive is the answer
Some cars lose the plot with a driver in them. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the 718 Boxster GTS, and the Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder are driver's cars — the wheel is the product. If that's the rental you're planning, our guide to the best scenic drives near Chicago maps routes that earn the rate, and the Porsche rental page covers the three ways into the badge. Self-drive also suits multi-day rentals where the car is yours for the weekend — errands, dinners, and the long way home included.
What each costs
The car's daily rate is the same "from" price either way — every rate includes a set daily mileage allowance, varies by date, season, and rental length, and is listed on the vehicle's page alongside its deposit. The difference is in the extras: self-drive adds only the refundable deposit, while chauffeured bookings add an individually quoted driver package built around your route and hours. Delivery works the same for both — anywhere in the Chicago metro, O'Hare and Midway included, with fees confirmed at booking. For the fleet-wide price list, see the 2026 pricing guide.
The fine print, either way
A few terms are identical whichever way you rent. Payment: we accept debit and credit cards, ACH transfer, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, cryptocurrency, and cash, all handled through GoLux when you reserve. Deposits: for self-drive, the refundable hold is authorized on the day of your reservation and released 24–72 hours after the rental ends, once the car returns in its original condition. Cancellations: rentals are not refunded, but cancelling more than 72 hours before your reservation earns a credit toward a future booking — worth knowing if a wedding or event date might move. When in doubt, tell the concierge the plan; terms are easier to work with before the date than after it.
How to book
Browse the fleet and reserve self-drive through GoLux — our secure booking platform — where availability, deposit, and payment are handled. For a chauffeured package, talk to a concierge or start from the chauffeur service page — one conversation covers the car, the driver, and the schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own insurance for a chauffeured booking?
No. The self-drive requirements — at least 21 years old with a valid license and qualifying full-coverage insurance — apply only when you take the wheel yourself. A chauffeured booking puts a vetted professional driver in the car instead.
How much does a chauffeur cost in Chicago?
Chauffeured packages are quoted individually around your route, occasion, and hours. The car itself carries the same "from" daily rate either way, shown on each vehicle's page.
Can any car on the fleet be chauffeured?
Yes. Any vehicle on the DDE fleet can be paired with a professional chauffeur — for weddings, airport pick-ups with flight tracking and meet-and-greet, executive travel, or a night out.
Can I drive myself to prom?
No. Every prom reservation includes a professional private driver — prom bookings are always chauffeured.