In most U.S. states, the minimum age to rent a car is 21. Drivers under 25 pay a young driver surcharge, a daily fee added purely because of age, on top of the base rate. In Michigan and New York, state law drops the minimum to 18.
Minimum Age by Company: 21 Is the National Floor, With Exceptions
Most major rental companies set 21 as their U.S. minimum, but the exact cutoff varies by brand and state. Hertz is the only major company with a floor of 20 at most U.S. locations, making it the most accessible option for renters who are not yet 21.
| Company | Standard Minimum Age | States With Lower Minimum | Surcharge Under 25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | 21 | Michigan (18), New York (18) | approx. $25/day |
| Hertz | 20 | Michigan (18), New York (18), Alabama (19), Nebraska (19) | $25/day flat |
| Avis | 21 (some locations 25) | Michigan (18), New York (18) | Varies by location |
| Budget | 21 (some locations 25) | Michigan (18), New York (18) | Varies by location |
Airport counters for Avis and Budget sometimes enforce a 25-year minimum as a hard cutoff, with no rental option for drivers aged 21 to 24. Off-airport branches of the same brands are generally more flexible. Always confirm the specific location’s policy before booking.
Which Rental Company Is Best for Drivers Under 21
Hertz is the best option for drivers under 21 at most U.S. locations because it is the only major brand with a minimum age of 20, compared to 21 at Enterprise, Avis, and Budget. For a 20-year-old renter outside Michigan and New York, Hertz is the only viable choice among the four largest companies.
For drivers aged 21 to 24, the best company depends on location and trip length. Hertz offers a predictable flat fee of $25 per day nationally, which makes budgeting straightforward. Enterprise matches that average at most locations. Avis and Budget do not publish a flat national rate, so their fees can be lower or significantly higher depending on the pickup city.
For drivers aged 18 to 19, the only practical options are Michigan and New York locations of any major brand, or qualifying under a military or insurance replacement exception. Outside those scenarios, no major U.S. rental company will serve a driver under 20.
Michigan and New York Allow Rentals at 18 by Law
Both Michigan and New York passed laws requiring rental companies to serve drivers as young as 18. Companies comply, but charge significantly higher daily fees for this age group compared to older renters.
In New York, an 18 to 20-year-old renter faces surcharges as high as $84 per day at some brands. A 21 to 24-year-old in the same state pays roughly $30 to $35 per day extra. The full state-by-state fee breakdown for Enterprise renters is available on Enterprise’s official age requirements page for drivers under 25.
In Michigan, fees are lower. Enterprise charges 18 to 20-year-olds an extra $36.50 per day, dropping to $15.75 per day for renters aged 21 to 24. Outside these two states, a driver under 21 will be turned away at the counter regardless of driving history.
Alabama and Nebraska Allow Rentals at 19 Through Hertz
Alabama and Nebraska have a minimum rental age of 19 at Hertz locations specifically. This is a Hertz company policy, not a state law requirement, meaning other brands like Enterprise, Avis, and Budget still enforce their standard 21-year minimum in those states.
A 19-year-old renter in Alabama or Nebraska can walk into a Hertz location and rent a car. They will pay the standard young driver surcharge of $25 per day that applies to all Hertz renters under 25. No other major national rental brand currently extends this exception to Alabama or Nebraska.
What Drivers Under 25 Actually Pay in Surcharges
The young driver surcharge is a per-day charge, which means it scales directly with the length of the rental. A seven-day trip at $25 per day adds $175 before taxes, on top of the base rate.
- Hertz charges a flat $25 per day for all renters under 25 at most U.S. locations. Details are on Hertz’s dedicated page for young renters under 25.
- Enterprise averages approximately $25 per day outside high-surcharge states, though the exact amount varies by location.
- Avis does not publish a national flat rate. The surcharge is calculated per pickup location and can exceed $35 per day in certain states. Full details are listed on Avis’s age requirement and surcharge policy page.
- Budget also calculates fees by location rather than applying a single national rate. Budget’s official FAQ on minimum age and underage fees covers what applies at corporate-operated U.S. locations.
Beyond cost, young renters are often restricted to specific vehicle classes. At most major brands, drivers under 25 can access economy through full-size cars, minivans, cargo vans, and standard SUVs. Luxury vehicles, exotic models, and specialty collections are typically off-limits until age 25.
Who Can Rent Under 25 Without Paying the Surcharge
Several categories of renters are exempt from the young driver surcharge regardless of age. U.S. government employees and active military personnel traveling on official orders can rent at 18 at most major companies with no underage fee, provided they present valid orders or a military ID at the counter.
Insurance replacement renters are another exempt group. If a vehicle is in a repair shop and the rental is tied to an insurance claim, most companies relax their standard age restrictions for the duration of that rental. This exception applies even in states where the normal floor is 21.
Corporate and university account holders may also be exempt. Fleet agreements negotiated between rental companies and employers or schools sometimes include a waiver of the young driver surcharge. Checking with an employer’s travel desk before booking is worth the time for renters under 25.
Practical Ways to Lower the Cost If You Are Under 25
Comparing companies before booking is the most effective cost-reduction step. Hertz’s flat $25 per day fee is frequently lower than location-specific rates at Avis or Budget, particularly at airport counters. Running a price comparison across brands for the same pickup location and dates takes a few minutes and can save over $100 on a week-long rental.
Booking an off-airport location reduces both the base rate and, in some cases, the surcharge. Airport concession fees drive up rental prices across the board, and neighborhood locations of the same brand often apply lower underage fees than their airport counterparts.
Checking credit card rental benefits before paying for the rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW), the optional daily fee covering damage to the rental vehicle, is also worth doing. Many travel credit cards cover CDW as a built-in benefit, though some exclude renters under 25. Confirming coverage with the card issuer before arrival prevents paying double.
Additional Driver Age Requirements for Renters Under 25
An additional driver, meaning a second person listed on the rental agreement who is also allowed to drive the vehicle, must meet the same minimum age requirements as the primary renter. A driver under 21 cannot be added as an additional driver at most U.S. locations unless the rental is taking place in Michigan or New York.
Additional drivers under 25 are also subject to the young driver surcharge at most companies. Some brands charge the surcharge separately for each young driver on the contract, which can double the daily fee if both the primary renter and the additional driver are under 25. Checking the additional driver policy at the specific pickup location before booking is recommended.
A parent who is 25 or older cannot rent a car and then list their 19-year-old child as an additional driver at most U.S. locations. The additional driver must independently meet the minimum age requirement for that location.
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Turo and Peer-to-Peer Rentals as an Alternative for Drivers Under 21
Turo, a peer-to-peer car sharing platform where individuals rent out their personal vehicles, accepts renters as young as 18 in the United States. This makes Turo a practical alternative for drivers aged 18 to 20 who cannot rent from traditional companies outside of Michigan and New York.
Turo’s minimum age of 18 applies nationally, not just in specific states. Young renters on Turo pay a young driver fee of $0 to $50 per trip depending on the host’s settings and the vehicle. The fee structure is different from traditional rental companies in that it is often a flat per-trip charge rather than a daily rate.
The trade-off with peer-to-peer platforms is that vehicle condition, insurance terms, and pickup logistics vary by individual host rather than following a standardized company policy. Renters under 21 considering Turo should review the insurance coverage carefully before booking.
What to Bring to the Counter When You Are Under 25
Every U.S. rental requires a valid driver’s license, an accepted payment method, and for renters under 25, the ability to meet the specific location’s age policy. Credit cards are universally accepted at all major rental companies with no additional restrictions for young renters.
Debit cards are accepted at some locations but come with extra conditions for renters under 25. Most companies require a larger upfront security deposit when a debit card is used, and some airport locations do not accept debit cards from young renters at all. Calling the specific pickup location ahead of arrival to confirm debit card acceptance is strongly recommended for any renter under 25.
Government employees and military renters must present official travel orders or a military ID to qualify for the age and surcharge exemption. Insurance replacement renters should bring documentation of the active claim. Arriving without the correct documentation will result in the standard surcharge being applied regardless of eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you rent a car at 18 in the US?
Yes, but only in Michigan and New York, where state law requires rental companies to accept drivers as young as 18. In all other states, the minimum age is 21 at most major companies. Renters aged 18 to 20 in these states will pay a significant daily surcharge, reaching as high as $84 per day at some brands in New York.
What is the minimum age to rent a car without paying extra fees?
25 is the age at which all major U.S. rental companies drop the young driver surcharge entirely. Below 25, every brand applies a daily fee regardless of driving record or years of licensure. At 25, standard pricing applies with no age-related restrictions on vehicle class.
Can a 20-year-old rent a car in the US?
At Hertz, yes. Its minimum age is 20 at most U.S. locations, making it the only major brand accessible to 20-year-olds outside Michigan and New York. Enterprise, Avis, and Budget all require renters to be at least 21. A 20-year-old at Hertz will still pay the $25 per day young driver surcharge.
How much extra does a driver under 25 pay to rent a car?
The young driver surcharge averages $25 per day at Hertz and Enterprise across most U.S. locations. Avis and Budget calculate the fee by location, so the amount varies. In high-fee states like New York, renters aged 18 to 20 can pay over $80 per day in surcharges alone on top of the base rental rate.
Do military or government employees under 25 pay the young driver surcharge?
No. U.S. government employees and active military personnel traveling on official orders are exempt from the young driver surcharge at most major rental companies. They must present valid military ID or official travel orders at the counter. This exemption applies even in states where the normal minimum rental age is 21.
My car is in the shop and I am 19. Can I rent a car?
Yes, in most states. When a vehicle is being repaired and the rental is tied to an active insurance claim, most major rental companies including Enterprise and Hertz relax their standard age minimums for the duration of the repair rental. A driver aged 18 or 19 can qualify under this exception outside of Michigan and New York. Bring documentation of the repair and the active insurance claim to the counter.
Can I use a debit card to rent a car if I am under 25?
Debit cards are accepted at some U.S. rental locations for drivers under 25, but not all. Companies that do accept debit cards for young renters typically require a larger upfront security deposit than they would for a credit card. Airport locations are more likely to require a credit card outright. Calling the specific pickup location before arrival is the only reliable way to confirm debit card acceptance.
What cars can you rent if you are under 25?
Drivers under 25 at most major U.S. rental companies can rent economy, compact, intermediate, standard, and full-size cars, as well as minivans, cargo vans, pickup trucks, and standard SUVs. Luxury vehicles, exotic models, and specialty collections such as Hertz’s Dream Car and Prestige collections are off-limits until age 25. Vehicle class restrictions apply regardless of which state the rental takes place in.
Is it cheaper to rent a car off airport when you are under 25?
Yes, in most cases. Airport rental counters add concession recovery fees and facility charges that raise the base rate for all renters. For drivers under 25, off-airport neighborhood locations of the same brand also tend to apply lower young driver surcharges than their airport counterparts. Booking a location a few miles from the terminal and arranging a ride or shuttle to pick up the car can meaningfully reduce the total rental cost.
Can a parent rent a car for their child who is under 21?
No, not directly. A parent aged 25 or older can rent a car in their own name, but they cannot add a child under the minimum age as an additional driver on the contract. The additional driver must independently meet the location’s minimum age requirement. If the child is the one who needs to drive, the parent would need to be present and driving as the primary renter.
Is there a maximum age limit to rent a car in the US?
Most major U.S. rental companies do not publish an upper age limit and do not refuse rentals based on age alone. A valid driver’s license that has not expired is the primary requirement regardless of the renter’s age. Some individual locations may apply restrictions on specific vehicle types for older renters, but there is no industrywide upper age cutoff comparable to the minimum age rules for young drivers.
Can a foreign visitor with an international license rent a car in the US under 25?
Yes, provided the renter meets the minimum age requirement for that company and state. International visitors renting in the U.S. generally need a valid driver’s license from their home country and in many cases an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it. The young driver surcharge applies to foreign renters under 25 the same way it applies to U.S. license holders. Age rules by state, including the 18-year minimum in Michigan and New York, apply equally to international renters.
Can a 19-year-old rent a car in the US?
In most states, no. The minimum age at Enterprise, Avis, and Budget is 21 nationally. Hertz allows rentals at 19 in Alabama and Nebraska specifically. Any major brand will accept a 19-year-old in Michigan and New York due to state law. Outside those states and those brands, a 19-year-old’s only options are peer-to-peer platforms like Turo, which sets its national minimum at 18.