Key Takeaways
- Some companies rent cars to 18-year-olds, often adding a Young Driver Fee.
- Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, and Hertz offer rentals to drivers under 25 with specific policies.
- Alternatives like Zipcar and Turo provide flexible rental options for 18-year-olds under conditions.
- International rental age varies, with some countries allowing 18-year-olds to rent cars with additional fees.
If you’re under 25 years old and looking to rent a car, you may be in for a bumpy ride.
Statistically, drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are more likely to get into an accident on the road. That’s why car rental companies are more reluctant to hand over their vehicles to anyone who’s basically under 25!
This has given people the impression that you must be at least 25 years old to rent a car. Luckily, that’s not the case. There are still a few companies that provide car rentals for 18-year-old drivers.
So, if you’re 18 years old and looking to rent a car, this post is for you!
Understanding Rental Restrictions for Young Drivers
Most companies have a higher minimum age requirement of 21.
However, a few companies offer car rentals for drivers as young as 18. These companies charge an extra fee called a Young Driver Fee on top of the standard rental cost of the vehicle.
If you’re an 18-year-old active-duty government employee or military personnel, you can ask to have this fee waived.
In addition, the minimum age also differs from place to place.
For example, in New York or Michigan, the minimum age to rent a vehicle is 18 years old, while in Nebraska or Alabama, the legal age for renting a vehicle is 19.
Yet, 18-year-old active-duty military personnel and government employees can rent vehicles no matter which state they’re in as long as they have an official travel order.
The other exception is if an 18-year-old driver is getting a replacement vehicle through an insurance provider, such as:
- Travelers
- State Farm
- Progressive
- CCRG Claims
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- American Family
- Allstate
Companies Offering Rentals to 18-Year-Olds
Here’s a list of the best car rental companies available for 18-year-olds:
1. Avis
- Extra fee: $41/day (18-20 years), $28/day (21-24 years)
- Vehicle types: Economy to premium, convertibles, SUVs
2. Budget Car Rental
- Extra fee: $27/day for young renters
- Vehicle types: Convertibles, economy to premium cars, intermediate and standard SUVs
3. Dollar
- Extra fee: Around $25/day plus rental and mileage
- Vehicle types: Most cars except specialty vehicles
4. Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Extra fee: $25/day on average, varies by state (18-20 years)
- Vehicle types: Economy to full-sized cars, minivans, pickup trucks, SUVs
5. Hertz
- Extra fee: $19/day for young renters
- Vehicle types: Compact to full-size cars, minivans, SUVs
Alternatives to Traditional Car Rentals
If you’re an 18-year-old driver having trouble renting a vehicle, which is also a problem for 19 and 20-year-olds, why not check out these alternatives?
1. Zipcar
- Ideal for students with hourly/daily rates
- Monthly fee: $7, Annual fee: $70
- Rates: From $83/day or $10/hour
- Minimum age: 21 (exceptions for Michigan, Maryland, New York, and students at partner colleges)
2. Turo
- Peer-to-peer car rental from the owner
- Option for car delivery at an extra fee
- Minimum age: 21 (select cars available at 18 with a Young Driver Fee)
Tip for Renting a Car at 18 Years Old
Use these money-saving tips to help you lessen the blow to your budget.
1. Ask About Possible Fee Waivers and Discounts
Some universities and employers have partnerships with rental car companies that offer benefits, waivers, and discounted rates to employees, students, and even alumni.
Check the university website or the employer’s benefits tab or portal, or contact your university or employer to see if you qualify.
Also, many car rentals offer discounts to military personnel and students. But they usually don’t announce it publicly. So, if you’re in the military or a student, make sure you take your ID and ask about possible discounts at the counter.
2. Compare Prices
The best way to make sure you get the best deal on anything is to do a quick comparison. Luckily, there are a handful of great sites available that you can use to compare the cost of renting a car across multiple companies.
What’s great about these sites is that you can filter and sort the results. They can also provide you with information on local rentals you weren’t aware of.
- Rentalcars.com
- Skyscanner
- Kayak
- fareCompare
- Expedia
3. Fill the Tank
The pre-paid fuel tank option is convenient because it allows you to take the vehicle with a full tank. Plus, you can return the car without having to bother with refills.
Yet, this option can be costly because you’ll be paying the refueling rate of the car rental company, which is higher than the gas station. Not only that, but the company will charge you the full tank of gas no matter how much you actually used.
International Travel Considerations
The minimum age for car rentals abroad varies depending on the regulations set by the country you’re in. Malaysia, for example, maintains a minimum age of 23 for its rental customers.
That said, most countries, including Australia, Greece, Ireland, the UK, and the Netherlands, have a minimum age of 21 years old.
Others, however, allow drivers as young as 18 years old to rent cars. These include Italy, Germany, Morocco, and Sweden.
Regardless of age, some countries state that the driver of a rental must have had their license for one year or more. You also need to bring some proof of ID, typically a valid passport as well as an accepted credit card and proof of car insurance.
Some countries also require an International Driving Permit. And for drivers who are 18 years old, car rental companies often add a daily Young Driver Fee to the regular rental charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old do you have to be to rent a car in the US?
The general rule of thumb is that you have to be 21 years old or older. However, some states and a handful of personal car rentals have a lower age limit of 18.
While they’re a convenient option, they do come with some extra fees and a couple of restrictions.
How old do you have to be to rent a car in Europe?
For the most part, drivers as young as 18 can rent a car in Europe as long as they’ve had their license for over a year. They also need to pay additional rental fees and adhere to certain restrictions. Some countries also require an International Driving License.
Final Thoughts
For the most part, you can rent a car if you’re 18 years old in certain states like New York or Michigan. The same goes if you’re a government employee or are a military personnel.
So, if you’re searching for car rental companies for 18-year-olds, give the places on our list a try.
Companies like Zipcar, Turo, and Budget all offer rentals to drivers under 25. Yet, they do come with additional fees, so make sure you read the rental agreement carefully.
Also, take the time to ask around, compare prices, and inquire about any available discounts and waivers before settling on a rental company.
