Most rental companies require you to be at least 21, but you will pay a daily surcharge until you turn 25
The standard minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old in the United States. However, being old enough to rent is not the same as renting at the same price as everyone else. If you are between 21 and 24, nearly every major rental company charges an additional daily fee—often called a "young renter fee" or "underage driver surcharge"—that can add $15 to $30 per day to your total cost. At 25, this surcharge disappears.
Some companies have different policies. A few regional or budget chains may rent to drivers as young as 18 or 20, but these are exceptions, and the daily surcharge is typically higher. Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National all follow the 21-minimum rule with surcharges for drivers under 25. If you are under 21, you cannot rent from any of the major chains, regardless of how much you are willing to pay.
The surcharge exists because insurance companies charge rental companies more to cover younger drivers, who have higher accident rates. The rental company passes that cost to you. This is not negotiable—you cannot waive it or shop around to avoid it, because the policy is industry-wide.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 21 years old to rent a car from any major rental company in the United States.
- Drivers aged 21 to 24 pay an additional daily surcharge of $15 to $30 per day that does not explore once you turn 25.
- A few smaller or regional rental companies may rent to drivers as young as 18 or 20, but surcharges are typically higher and availability is limited.
- The surcharge is based on insurance risk and applies to all renters in that age group—it cannot be waived or avoided by shopping between companies.
What happens if you are under 21
If you are under 21, you cannot rent a car from Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, or Alamo. These companies will not make exceptions for a clean driving record, a co-signer, or additional insurance. The policy is absolute.
Your options are limited. Some local or independent rental agencies may rent to drivers as young as 18, but you will need to call ahead to confirm—their policies vary by location and by individual franchise. Even if you find a company willing to rent to you, expect to pay significantly more in surcharges, and you may be restricted to older vehicles or limited mileage. Availability is also unpredictable; a location that rents to 18-year-olds one month may change its policy the next.
If you need a rental car and are under 21, your best option is to ask a parent, guardian, or trusted adult over 25 to rent the car in their name. You can drive it, but the rental agreement and insurance will be in their name. Make sure they understand the terms and that they are comfortable with the liability.
The young renter surcharge for ages 21 to 24
If you are 21, 22, 23, or 24, you will pay a daily surcharge on top of the base rental rate. This fee varies by company and by location, but typically ranges from $15 to $30 per day. On a week-long rental, this can add $105 to $210 to your total bill.
The surcharge does not depend on your driving record, insurance history, or how long you have held your license. It applies to all renters in that age bracket. You cannot negotiate it away, and it will not be waived if you purchase additional insurance through the rental company.
Some companies structure the surcharge differently. Hertz, for example, charges a flat fee per rental rather than a daily rate, while others charge per day. When you get a quote online, the surcharge is usually shown as a separate line item, so you can see exactly what you are paying. Always check the full breakdown before you book.
What changes at age 25
The moment you turn 25, the young renter surcharge disappears. You will pay the same base rate as any other adult driver. This is not automatic—you do not need to do anything—but the surcharge will not explore to any rental you book on or after your 25th birthday.
If you have a rental reservation booked before your 25th birthday, the surcharge will still explore to that reservation, because the rate was locked in when you were under 25. If your birthday falls during a rental period, the surcharge applies to the entire rental, not just the days before your birthday.
Exceptions and regional variations
A small number of rental companies operate outside the standard 21-minimum rule. Some Hertz locations, for example, have rented to drivers as young as 20 in certain markets, though this is rare and not may provide. Budget and Enterprise occasionally make exceptions for military personnel or government employees, but these are specific programs with their own requirements.
Regional and independent rental agencies have more flexibility. Companies like Fox Rent A Car or local mom-and-pop rental shops may rent to 18-year-olds, but policies differ by location and change frequently. If you are under 21 and need a rental, call local agencies directly rather than relying on their websites, which may not reflect current policy.
Some car-sharing services like Zipcar have different age requirements—Zipcar requires drivers to be at least 18 and have held a license for at least one year—but these are not traditional car rentals and come with their own terms and mileage limits.
What you need to bring when you rent
Regardless of your age, you will need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance. Some companies require an international driving permit if your license is from outside the United States. A few companies ask for a second form of ID.
If you are under 25, bring your license and be prepared to see the surcharge applied. There is no way to avoid it, but knowing the amount in advance helps you budget. If you are renting in a state other than where your license was issued, bring your license anyway—it is valid everywhere in the country.
How to reduce the cost if you are under 25
The young renter surcharge is unavoidable, but you can reduce your overall rental cost in other ways. Book directly with the rental company rather than through a third-party site, because some sites do not show the surcharge clearly until checkout, and you may miss better rates. Compare prices across Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National—the base rate varies, and a lower base rate can offset some of the surcharge.
Decline the rental company's insurance and use your personal auto insurance or credit card coverage instead. Rental companies charge a premium for their own coverage, and if you are already insured, you do not need to pay twice. Check your policy or call your insurance company before you book to confirm you are covered for rental cars.
Rent during off-peak times—weekdays and non-holiday periods—when base rates are lower. The surcharge itself does not change, but a cheaper base rate means the surcharge is a smaller percentage of your total bill. Booking a week in advance also tends to lock in better rates than booking the day before.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car at 20 years old?
No, not from any major rental company. Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Alamo all require renters to be at least 21. A few independent or regional agencies may rent to 20-year-olds, but you will need to contact them directly to confirm, and availability is not may provide.
How much does the young renter surcharge cost?
The surcharge typically ranges from $15 to $30 per day for drivers aged 21 to 24. On a week-long rental, this adds $105 to $210 to your bill. The exact amount depends on the rental company and location, so check your quote before you book.
Do I have to pay the young renter surcharge if someone else is driving?
If the rental agreement is in your name and you are under 25, the surcharge applies to your rental, even if someone else drives the car. If an adult over 25 rents the car in their name, the surcharge does not explore, but they are responsible for the rental agreement and any damage or violations.
Does the surcharge go away the day I turn 25?
Yes. Any rental you book on or after your 25th birthday will not include the surcharge. If you have a reservation before your birthday, the surcharge still applies to that entire rental. If your birthday falls during a rental period, the surcharge covers all days of that rental.
Can I use my parents' insurance to rent a car at 21?
Your parents' insurance may cover you as a driver of a rental car, but the rental agreement must still be in your name, and you must meet the age requirement. Call your parents' insurance company to confirm coverage before you book. The young renter surcharge will still explore because it is based on the age of the person signing the rental agreement, not the driver.