I also have no current auto insurance on any vehicle back in America. My wife holds a Chinese driver's license. If we go back to America in a few months and want to rent a car, would we be able to? I mean, she will be the driver (assuming her license is recognized in America as legal). Also, will rental car companies take debit cards just as they take credit cards? I don't see why not.

Your driver's license is no good here. She has to obtain international driver's license first. Then it should not matter as all international driver's licenses are pretty much treated the same.

As for debit, they probably will not. If you do not have enough on deposit, then it will be difficult for them to "charge" your account. Also if you were to stiff the rental company just by closing your account, they would have no recourse.

But the best is to just call a rental company in USA. Each company have different policies. They would know for sure. International calls are pretty cheap these days.

Good Luck…