Car Rental: How Do Old You Need to Be to Rent a Car?

Last Updated on December 9, 2022 by Elizabeth

At age 18, you are be old enough to vote, serve on a jury and get married. But in the vast majority of American states, you are not old enough to rent a car.

You have to be 21 years old to rent a car from eight of 12 major rental car companies. Several will rent to drivers age 19 or 20, and one goes as low as 18 years old.

Only two of 50 states—Michigan and New York—mandate rental car companies to rent a car to 18 year olds with valid driver’s licenses.

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It’s one thing for a young driver to be allowed to rent a car and quite another thing for a young driver to get a good deal. If you’re under age 25, expect to be charged a young renter fee to the tune of $20 to $28 per day—which is sometimes more than the daily rental rate.

Here’s how old you need to be to rent a car from major rental companies:

Alamo

The minimum age to rent is 21. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
For drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, a young renter fee will apply at an average cost of $20 per day. This fee can be higher or lower, depending on the rental location.
For drivers between the ages of 18 and 20, a younger renter fee will apply in Michigan ($40) and New York ($57).

Avis

The minimum age to rent is 21. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
For drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, a young renter fee will apply at an average cost of $27 per day.
For drivers between the ages of 18 and 20, a younger renter fee will apply in Michigan ($41) and New York ($52).

Budget

The minimum age to rent is 21. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
For drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, a young renter fee will apply at an average cost of $27 per day.
For drivers between the ages of 18 and 20, a younger renter fee will apply in Michigan ($41) and New York ($52).

Dollar

The minimum age to rent is 20. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
Drivers under age 25 will be charged a younger renter fee.

Enterprise

The minimum age to rent is 21. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
For drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, a young renter fee will apply at an average cost of $20 per day. This fee can be higher or lower, depending on the rental location.
For drivers between the ages of 18 and 20, a younger renter fee will apply in Michigan ($40) and New York ($57).

Fox

The minimum age to rent is 19. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
The minimum rental age for active military is 18.
Drivers under age 25 will be charged a younger renter fee.

Hertz

The minimum age to rent is 18 in the U.S., except in Alabama and Nebraska, where the minimum age to rent is 19. Renters must have had a valid driver’s license for at least one year.
Drivers under age 25 will be charged a young renter fee unless they are AAA members.

Kyte

Gen Z drivers in major metro areas should also take a look at Kyte, the first rental company to offer door-to-door delivery service on both ends of your trip.

While you need to be 25 years old to rent with Kyte in most areas, there are exceptions.

Boston-area residents aged 21 to 25 can rent with no underage surcharge.
New York City, drivers as young as 18 can rent, and Kyte recently dropped both its steep $120-per-day surcharge for drivers ages 18 to 20, and the $45-per-day charge for drivers ages 21 to 25.

Kyte has also introduced Kyte for University for drivers under 25 renters in California, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Washington D.C., which waives the underage fee for college students with an .edu email address.

National

The minimum age to rent is 21. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
For drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, a young renter fee will apply at an average cost of $20 per day. This fee can be higher or lower, depending on the rental location.
For drivers between the ages of 18 and 20, a younger renter fee will apply in Michigan ($40) and New York ($57).

Payless

The minimum age to rent is 21. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
Drivers under age 25 will be charged a younger renter fee of $25 per day.

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Sixt

The minimum age to rent is 21. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
Drivers under age 25 will be charged a younger renter fee.

Thrifty

The minimum age to rent is 20. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
Drivers under age 25 will be charged a younger renter fee.

Related:

Cheap Car Rentals for Drivers Under 25
Should You Buy Car Rental Insurance?

The post How Do Old You Need to Be to Rent a Car? appeared first on AutoSlash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are credit cards allowed to rent a car?

Yes. However, you should be aware of the possibility of additional fees when using your card overseas. Compare rates before making any reservations. You can reserve your room without having to pay until you arrive at the hotel, which saves you money.

What is the most reputable car rental company?

Hertz offers unbeatable customer service. They are always ready to help you find the right vehicle for any occasion. They offer great discounts on cars and have a wide range of cars in all major cities. You can rent for as little as $10 per day.

Hertz also provides free airport pickup and drop-off, 24 hour roadside assistance, and even an extensive line of accessories and gear to help ensure your safety while driving in the town.

You can find a top-quality experience in car rental on the Hertz site today!

What age do you need to be to rent an automobile in Europe?

To drive legally in most European countries, one must be 21 years of age. However, if you are under 18, you may still be allowed to rent a car from an adult (usually over 25), but the age limit for renting cars varies by country. Some places allow you to rent a vehicle without age restrictions.

Statistics

If you're a member of AAA, you might also be able to snag discounts of 10 percent at Thrifty, and 8 percent at Dollar. (afar.com)
American Airlines, for example, offers AAdvantage members 35% off Budget and Avis — but you need to rent from an airport. (nerdwallet.com)
Save up to 30% on your rental car in Europe when you book with us today. (autoeurope.com)
In 2019, the most crucial factor is the cost and fees of the rental (accounting for 28% of overall satisfaction with the rental experience), followed by the rental car itself at 25% and the pick-up process at 23%. (cnet.com)
For example, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express earns 3 percent cash back on purchases at U.S. gas stations (terms apply), and the Citi Premier® Card earns three points per dollar at gas stations, too. (afar.com)

External Links

avis.com

Avis Rent a Car

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How To

How to get a great deal on a car rental

Here are some tips for getting the best price on your car rental

Comparison websites such as Kayak or Expedia are great options. This allows you access to their data and tools, which is useful for avoiding hidden fees. (Kayak)
You can find out whether there are any additional charges if you make a booking online. (Expedia)
Book early! The earlier you book, the lower prices you should expect to pay. (Kayak). Remember that airfares can be cheaper last-minute.
When choosing a car, make sure it fits in well with your travel plans and budget. (eBay)
Be sure to verify the insurance coverage. Some companies offer no-cost insurance to car renters under 25. (Insurance Panda)
While making reservations, make sure to be clear about the contract type you select. People prefer to sign a long term contract so they are aware of the costs in advance. (MileageIQ)
Ask for a high score credit rating if possible. Car Insurance Guide: Low credit scores can lead to higher auto insurance costs (Car Insurance Guide).
Avoid spending extras such GPS, roadside help, and other added services, unless you are absolutely required. These extra charges may not be available at all rental agencies. (Kayak) 9. If you want to add an extended warranty, make sure that this option is included in the total price of the rental. Ask your agent if the extended warranty applies to other areas where you intend to rent the car. This could save you money.
Make sure you read all terms and conditions of the rental agreement. You may end up paying for something you did not mention during negotiations. (Expedia) So always check the terms and conditions carefully!

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Car Rental

Saturday, December 10, 2022

How Do Old You Need to Be to Rent a Car?