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

The following age requirements can vary depending on your rental location and whether you are a government employee or serving in the U.S. military. Before renting a car, it's always best to check with the specific rental company for the most accurate information.

Alamo

At Alamo, you can rent at the age of 21. However, if you're between 21 and 24, an average 'Youthful Surcharge' of $25 per day might apply, though this can vary based on your rental location. You’ll know the exact fee during the reservation process

Car class restrictions may apply for renters aged 21 through 24. In Michigan and New York, state mandates allow rentals from the age of 18. U.S. military personnel and government employees aged 18 or older are exempted from the Youthful Surcharge for authorized government travel, provided they present their official orders at the rental location.

Avis

Avis allows rentals to those aged 21 to 24 with additional surcharges, and from 18 in New York and Michigan with varying fees. The underage surcharge is standard for drivers aged 21 to 24 in the USA and Canada.

Under-25s can rent economy to standard SUVs, including premium cars and convertibles, but not full-size SUVs, luxury, minivans, passenger vans, premium SUVs, or specialty cars. In New York, surcharges are per day for renters aged 18 to 20, and for those aged 21 to 24. U.S. government personnel (civilian or military) can rent from age 18 with a travel order, or 21 without one, with no underage surcharge unless using a Government Leisure Pass.

Budget

At most Budget locations, the standard minimum age to rent a car is 25. But if you're 18 years old, then you can rent in Michigan and New York, and those aged 21-24 can rent at corporate-operated locations with an additional per day surcharge. If you're not 25 yet, you can still choose from economy to standard SUVs, including premium cars and convertibles. Any additional driver must be at least 25, holding a valid driver's license and credit card.

These rules can differ in New York and Michigan, and additional restrictions may apply at specific locations. Don't forget to check the terms and conditions at your rental location for precise information.

Dollar 

Dollar Rent A Car welcomes drivers as young as 20 to rent a car with them. But, in order for you to qualify for a rental, you need to match several conditions. The driver should be at least 20 years old (or 18 in the states of New York and Michigan), hold a valid driver’s license that has been in good standing for over a year, and have a valid debit or credit card under the same name as on the license. You will also be subject to a Young Renter Fee, which is an additional fee on top of the standard car rental rate. If you are under 25, you can rent the majority of Dollar car classes, ranging from SUVs to compact cars. Some specialty vehicle classes, such as the StyleSeries, are excluded.

Enterprise

Enterprise offers car rentals to those 21 and over across the U.S., with exceptions for 18-year-olds in Michigan, New York, and U.S. government employees who provide official orders. Additional fees apply for young renters, varying by state and age. Renters under 25 need to meet the rental state's age requirement, have a valid photo driver's license, and a valid debit or credit card. Available vehicle classes for renters aged 21 to 24 include various cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs.

Fox

The standard minimum age for car rental is 19 years old, with exceptions in Michigan and New York, where the age limit is lowered to 18. Active military personnel are also eligible to rent from the age of 18. Like with other car rental companies, keep in mind that drivers under 25 will face an additional fee.

Hertz

To rent a car under 25 with Hertz, renters must be at least 20 years old in most locations within the U.S. and Canada. But if you're in Michigan, New York, the minimum age requirement drops to 18. For Alabama and Nebraska, the minimum age is 19. If you're under 25, you need a valid driver’s license held in good standing for over a year, along with a valid debit or credit card (some Hertz Locations might require a credit card).

Kyte

If you want to rent a vehicle with Kyte, then the age requirement is generally 21 years in most locations. But, in New York City, the age limit is reduced to 18. Young drivers under 25 need to pay an additional daily fee. Kyte goes a step further in supporting younger drivers with their 'Kyte for University' initiative. This program is available in California, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Washington D.C., where it waives the underage fee for university students. To qualify, students need to provide an .edu email address.

National

The minimum age to rent a car with National is 21, with no maximum age limit set in the U.S. or Canada. Renters between 21 to 24 years may be subjected to a 'Youthful Surcharge', usually around per day (varying by location). You can check this fee, start a reservation process, and confirm or cancel as needed. In Michigan and New York, the age limit drops to 18. U.S. military personnel and government employees aged 18 and above are exempt from the 'Youthful Surcharge' for official travel.

Payless

Primarily, to rent a vehicle from Payless, you must be at least 25 years old, and be in possession of a valid driver's license, and a credit card in your own name. But, Payless offers flexibility for younger drivers. Those aged between 21 and 24 can rent vehicles ranging from economy to full-size cars and minivans, albeit with an additional daily surcharge of. It's worth noting that this underage surcharge won't be reflected in the total pricing shown during the reservation process.

SIXT

Generally, the minimum age requirement for most SIXT locations is 21, provided the driver holds a valid license. Again, in New York, the age limit is lowered to 18 years.

If you’re interested in renting specialty or larger-sized vehicles, the minimum age increases to 25. It's important to note that drivers under the age of 25 will face an additional Underage Driver Fee. These details can be found during the booking process.

Thrifty

Thrifty welcomes young drivers aged 20 and above to rent a car, debunking the myth that you need to be at least 25. In New York or Michigan, the age limit drops to 18. Before hitting the road, ensure you have a valid driver's license in good standing for over a year, a matching credit or debit card, and understand that a Young Renter Fee will be added to the standard rental rate.

Oftentimes, there is a maximum rental age for car rentals, although it depends on the rental agency. Typically, the maximum age limit is between 70 and 80 years old. Some companies, like Hertz, allow customers aged over 75 to rent with certain conditions. Keep in mind that not all rental companies enforce a maximum age restriction, but those that do are often influenced by insurance company mandates. So, while there isn't a universal maximum rental age, it's advisable for senior drivers to check the terms and conditions of the car rental company before booking.

You do not necessarily need to be 25 to rent a car in the United States. While some rental companies may have a minimum age requirement of 25, many others allow rentals to young drivers. For example, Enterprise allows rentals to individuals who are at least 21 throughout most of the U.S., except for Michigan and New York where the minimum age is 18. Also, Hertz permits rentals to those aged 20 and above in most of the U.S. But note that car rental companies often charge additional fees for young renters under a certain age, typically 25. 

You can rent a car at 18 in some circumstances, but that really depends on the specific U.S. state and rental company policies. In most states, the minimum age for renting a car is 21, but there are exceptions. Michigan and New York mandate that rental companies must allow drivers who are 18 and older to rent a car.

There are a couple of reasons why an 18-year-old might be able to rent a car:

• Legal age: At 18, individuals are considered adults in all U.S. states and are legally capable of entering into contracts, which is a requirement for car rental.
• Driver's license: Most individuals can obtain a driver's license before they turn 18, meaning they have the legal right to drive a vehicle.
• Responsibility: At 18, individuals can vote, pay taxes, and even join the military. These responsibilities may translate into the maturity required for handling a rental car.
  
  

If you're 18, and you want to rent a car, keep in mind that many car rental companies charge a “Young Renter Fee” or “Underage Surcharge” for renters under 25. This is an additional fee to the regular rental rate, and it's intended to cover potential additional risks associated with younger drivers.

In most parts of the U.S., the majority of car rental companies have set their minimum rental age at 21. Exceptions are in Michigan and New York, rental companies can rent their cars to a young driver at the age of 18. One of the reasons a person might be able to rent a car at the age of 21 is tied to insurance policy rates. Typically, car insurance companies charge higher premiums for younger drivers due to their perceived lack of experience. When individuals reach the age of 21, they are often considered to have gained enough driving experience to warrant lower insurance rates. This makes renting a car more affordable for them and reduces the risk for rental companies, thereby increasing the likelihood of rental approval for this age group.

The minimum age to rent a car in the U.S. depends on the state and the specific policies of the rental companies. Most states set the minimum age at 21, but there are also exceptions, like Michigan and New York allow individuals as young as 18 to rent a car.

Meanwhile, Alabama and Nebraska have set the minimum age to rent a car at 19. Across the board, rental companies such as Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, and others adhere to these state-specific regulations while also having their own company-wide policies. Some, like Dollar, even provide rental services to drivers aged 20-24.

It is not impossible to avoid underage fees when renting a car, but it can be challenging. Take a look at the following tips that might help:

1. Membership programs: Some car rental companies waive young driver fees for members of specific programs. For instance, Hertz waives such fees for AAA members.
2. Corporate accounts: If you're required to travel for business, check with your company or the car rental agency if they have a corporate account, which could potentially waive the underage fee.
3. Insurance partnerships: A few auto insurance providers partner with rental companies, which might lead to a waiver of the underage fee.
4. Rental companies without underage fees: There are some rental companies that do not charge an underage fee, so choosing one of these can help avoid the young driver surcharge.
5. Credit cards with rental insurance: Using a credit card that provides rental insurance can sometimes help avoid under-25 fees.
6. United Service Automobile Association (USAA) membership: USAA members can also avoid the underage fee with certain rental companies.
7. Government employee programs: If you work for the government, you may be able to avoid the underage fee through specific government employee programs offered by some rental companies.

The following list of rental requirements can vary by company and location. You should always check the specific terms and conditions of the rental company beforehand. In the meantime, take a closer look at the general requirements: 

• Valid driver's license: This is the most basic requirement. The license must be valid at the time of rental and remain valid throughout the rental period.
• Credit or debit card: Most rental companies require a credit card in the renter's name. Some may accept debit cards, but often with additional requirements or checks. This is used for security purposes and to cover any additional charges, such as late returns or damage to the vehicle.
• Clean driving record: Some car rental companies check your driving record when you rent a vehicle. They may reject customers with major violations on their record.
• Deposit: A deposit is required, which is usually pre-authorized on your credit card.
• Proof of insurance: While not always required, some rental companies may ask for proof of car insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you may need to buy coverage from the rental company.