September 28, 2021
How Old Do I Have to Be to Rent a Car — The Age-Old Question
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
So you want to rent a car, but you're afraid you're too young (or even too old). If you're between the ages of 25 and 70, then you shouldn't have a problem renting a car anywhere. However, if you are younger or older, you may not be able to rent or may find that there are additional restrictions and fees,
Let's see where younger people can rent a car and what those restrictions are.
Let's see where younger people can rent a car and what those restrictions are.
The Age-Old Question — How Old Do I Have to Be to Rent a Car
By Aleksandrs Buraks | Published September 28, 2021
So you want to rent a car, but you've heard that a credit card is often required and don't have one. Don't worry, chances are you'll still be able to rent in both North America and Europe, but you need to be careful when choosing a car and company to rent from. You also, particularly in Europe, may end up having to pay more.
Let's dive into everything you need to know about renting a car with a debit card.
Let's dive into everything you need to know about renting a car with a debit card.
Car rental for drivers under 25 in the USA
The general minimum age in the United States for renting a car has long been 21. There are two states where the minimum age is set by law to be 18: Michigan and New York.
Generally, drivers under the age of 25 are charged a young driver fee. You may realize that this also coincides with the age at which car insurance premiums fall for drivers. This is because both rental companies and insurance companies deem younger drivers as riskier.
In addition, drivers under the age of 25 are often restricted to certain vehicles. You usually can not rent a luxury vehicle if you are under 25.
If you are under 25, then you can expect to also be charged a Young Driver Fee no matter which company you rent from and no matter which state you rent in. This fee varies from company to company, so the best way to find out what it is is to use the age you'll be when you pick up the car when you search.
Note: In Michigan and New York, if you are 18-20, then this fee will be even higher.
Generally, drivers under the age of 25 are charged a young driver fee. You may realize that this also coincides with the age at which car insurance premiums fall for drivers. This is because both rental companies and insurance companies deem younger drivers as riskier.
In addition, drivers under the age of 25 are often restricted to certain vehicles. You usually can not rent a luxury vehicle if you are under 25.
If you are under 25, then you can expect to also be charged a Young Driver Fee no matter which company you rent from and no matter which state you rent in. This fee varies from company to company, so the best way to find out what it is is to use the age you'll be when you pick up the car when you search.
Note: In Michigan and New York, if you are 18-20, then this fee will be even higher.
Car rental for drivers under 25 in Europe
The minimum age you have to be to rent a car in Europe depends on the country. If you are over 21, though, you can rent a car in any European country.
There are certain countries where you can rent a car if you are over 18. These include:
The dreaded Young Driver Fee exists in all European countries. The age at which it is charged varies, though. The best way to find out what the total price of your rental will be is to search using the age you will be when you pick up the car.
Many rental companies have different fees based on your age. For instance, those that are between 18 and 21 are charged an even higher fee than those between 21 and 25.
If you are under the age of 25, you can expect to be charged a Young Driver Fee, though this may not always be the case.
There are certain countries where you can rent a car if you are over 18. These include:
The dreaded Young Driver Fee exists in all European countries. The age at which it is charged varies, though. The best way to find out what the total price of your rental will be is to search using the age you will be when you pick up the car.
Many rental companies have different fees based on your age. For instance, those that are between 18 and 21 are charged an even higher fee than those between 21 and 25.
If you are under the age of 25, you can expect to be charged a Young Driver Fee, though this may not always be the case.
Car rental for drivers over 70
Unfortunately, it is also the case that you need to be careful when booking a rental car if you are over 70. In some locations, rental companies charge a senior driver fee for those over a certain age. And in rare cases, rental companies don't allow drivers over a certain age (usually 80) to rent a vehicle at all.
The best way to find out what the total price will be including any age-based fees, is of course to use the age you will be when you pick up the car when searching for one.
Note that these fees and restrictions are more common in certain European countries. However, smaller companies in America also have these restrictions.
The best way to find out what the total price will be including any age-based fees, is of course to use the age you will be when you pick up the car when searching for one.
Note that these fees and restrictions are more common in certain European countries. However, smaller companies in America also have these restrictions.
Aleksandrs Buraks
Head of Growth at DiscoverCars.com
Aleksandrs has over 10 years of experience in marketing with a focus on creating stellar content that provides topical insights using data. Having taken five road trips across Europe and one in the U.S., he is passionate about traveling by car. His favorite countries to visit are Denmark and Thailand. You can find him on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.