If you have a history of moving violations or accidents on your driving record, you may have difficulty renting a car when you head off on your trip.

Most car rental companies check out your driving record through your state department of motor vehicles. If you have serious offenses on your record, such as driving under the influence, the company will probably refuse to rent you a car.

Some companies will reject you for lesser infractions such as speeding tickets or accidents, regardless of who was at fault.

Typically, you won’t learn the bad news until you arrive at the rental counter and then you may find your trip going down the tubes.

The best way to protect yourself is to know what’s in your driving record. If your driving history is something other than sterling, you may want to ask about a driving history check when you call to reserve the car. If you get an answer in the affirmative, ask what criteria they use in denying access to their cars. If your record won’t pass, try another rental company.