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There are numerous reasons you might need to rent a car, from taking a road trip to renting a car at your vacation destination to needing a car while yours is out of commission or being repaired. Regardless of why you need a rental car, if you’re under the age of 25, there are some special considerations and red tape you must navigate when renting a car.
Minimum Rental Car Age in the US
In the US, you are permitted to marry, sign a legally binding contract, and vote at the age of 18, but you might not be able to rent a car. If you’re 25 or over, renting a car is fairly straightforward, and you won’t incur any additional age-related fees. However, if you’re 21 to 24 years old and renting a car, you’ll likely have to pay an “Underage Driver’s Fee” or “Young Renter Fee” that ranges anywhere from $20 to $90 per day, which can equate to twice as much as your rental price per day. If you’re under the age of 21, then renting a car with most rental car companies and in most states is nearly impossible.
State Mandates for Rental Car Age Minimums
Only three states in the United States, as of the date of this post, have rental care mandates that dictate the age at which rental car companies must rent to drivers. In Michigan and New York, the minimum age to rent a car is 18, so you can rent a car between the ages of 18 and 20 in these states, unlike in most other states. However, the underage rental fees are generally even higher when renting in these states. In Mississippi, the minimum age to rent a car is mandated at 21.
Most states require you to be at least 18 to rent a car since that’s generally the legal age of consent to sign a binding contract. Outside of state mandates that dictate the minimum age at which rental car companies must rent to drivers, rental car companies dictate the minimum age someone can rent a car at their agency.
Higher Risks Associated with Drivers Under 25
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate a high risk of vehicle accidents among young drivers aged 15 to 20, which is higher than any other age group. There are also several risk factors associated with young adult drivers. These types of statics are used by rental car agencies to dictate minimum driver age and costs associated with young drivers renting a car.
Avoiding Young Renter Fees
If you’re a renter under the age of 25, there are some options that allow you to have the young renter fee reduced or eliminated, five of which are outlined below.
AAA Membership
If you’re 20 to 24 years old and renting through Hertz, a AAA membership grants you eligibility for your young renter fee to be waived. Annual AAA memberships start as low as $54 per year, so you’re likely to save money, even with a single rental.
Military ID
Rental car agencies will typically allow those 18 years and older to rent from their agency if they have an active US military ID.
Government Employees
Rental car agencies will typically allow those 18 years and older to rent from their agency if they hold a government work ID and are traveling on business.
USAA Membership
USAA memberships are available to Reserve US military, Guard, active-duty military, and veterans and their families. With a USAA membership, the young renter fee is waived for 21- to 24-year-olds at Enterprise and for 18- to 24-year-olds at Hertz, Budget, and Avis.
Carla
Carla is a travel booking site and application to book rental cars. In some instances, the under-25 fee is waived at the time of rental through participating companies.
Rental Company Underage Driver Fees
Most major rental car companies have policies that allow drivers under the age of 25 to rent a car. However, when renting a car as a young driver, there might be limits on the type of car you can rent. In other words, you might be prohibited from renting a sports car or SUV but permitted to rent a standard or compact car.
Here’s a breakdown of the minimum age to rent a car for the most well-known rental car companies.
Note: Any renter fees listed may be higher or lower depending upon the location. Also, each rental car company has a minimum rental age of 18 in New York and Michigan due to state mandates. In these two states, the young renter fee is generally higher per day than the standard young renter fee charged.
Alamo
- Minimum age: 21
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes – $25 per day
Advantage
- Minimum age: 21
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes – $19 per day
Avis
- Minimum age: 21
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes
Budget
- Minimum age: 21
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes
Dollar
- Minimum age: 20
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes
Enterprise
- Minimum age: 21
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes – $20 per day
Fox
- Minimum age: 19
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes
Hertz
- Minimum age: 20
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes – $19 per day
National
- Minimum age: 21
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes
Payless
- Minimum age: 21
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes – $25 per day
SIXT
- Minimum age: 21
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes
Thrifty
- Minimum age: 20
- Young renters fee (Yes/No): Yes
Requirements to Rent a Car
Regardless of your age, there are a few things you’ll need to rent a car. These include:
- A valid driver’s license
- A credit card or debit card in the driver’s name
- Any deposit required, which is commonly required when using a debit card
- Payment of any additional fees required prior to taking the rental off the lot
- A valid driver’s license of any other person that might be driving the car, and the individual must be present when the car is picked up
Finally, when you’re in the process of renting a car, it’s best to shop around to find the best rates possible. Be sure to ask what types of discounts and young driver fee waivers are offered, as well.