You must be at least 18 years old to rent a car on Turo, but most car owners require renters to be 25

Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental platform where individual car owners list their vehicles for short-term rental. The company's minimum age to create an account and rent is 18, but this is only the floor. Most car owners on the platform set their own age requirements, and the vast majority require renters to be at least 25 years old. When you search for available cars, you'll see each owner's specific age requirement listed on the vehicle's detail page.

If you're between 18 and 24, you can still rent through Turo, but your options will be limited. You'll need to filter results to show only cars whose owners accept your age group. Some owners do rent to younger drivers, though they may charge a higher daily rate or require additional insurance coverage. The younger you are, the fewer vehicles will be available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Turo's account minimum age is 18, but individual car owners set their own requirements, and most require renters to be 25 or older.
  • When you search for cars on Turo, each listing shows the owner's minimum age requirement before you can book.
  • Renters under 25 may face higher daily rates, additional insurance requirements, or a security deposit from the car owner.
  • You'll need a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a clean driving record to rent at any age on Turo.

What documents you need to rent at any age

Regardless of your age, Turo requires the same core documents from all renters. You need a valid driver's license (from any U.S. state or an international license if you're visiting), proof of auto insurance, and a clean driving record. Turo checks your driving history through a third-party service, and violations like DUIs, reckless driving, or multiple accidents in the past three to five years can disqualify you from renting.

Your insurance must cover rental cars. Many personal auto policies do cover rentals, but some exclude them or limit coverage. Before you book, contact your insurance company to confirm that rental cars are covered under your policy. If your insurance doesn't cover rentals, you can purchase Turo's damage waiver or decline protection plan at checkout, though this adds to your rental cost.

How age affects your rental cost and options

Car owners use age as a risk factor, so younger renters typically pay more. An 18-year-old and a 35-year-old renting the same car may see different daily rates. Some owners charge a flat "young driver fee" on top of the daily rate, while others straightforward price their cars higher for younger renters. This is built into the listing price you see when you search, so you can compare costs across different cars and owners.

Owners may also require additional security deposits from renters under 25. A standard security deposit on Turo ranges from $0 to $2,500 depending on the car's value, but an owner might increase this for a younger driver. This deposit is held during your rental and released after the trip if there's no damage. Read the car's listing carefully to see what deposit the owner requires before you book.

Finding cars available to renters under 25

When you search on Turo's website or app, use the filter for "Age requirement" to narrow results to owners who accept your age. This is the fastest way to see which cars are actually available to you. Without filtering, you'll see listings you can't book, which wastes time. The filter shows you only vehicles whose owners have set a minimum age at or below your current age.

If the filtered results are thin in your area, you have a few options. You can expand your search radius to nearby cities, look at different rental dates when more cars might be available, or contact car owners directly through Turo's messaging system to ask if they'll make an exception. Some owners are willing to rent to younger drivers if you have a strong rental history or offer to pay a higher rate, though they're not obligated to.

Insurance and damage coverage for younger renters

Turo offers two protection plans: the damage waiver and the decline protection plan. The damage waiver covers damage to the rental car up to the security deposit amount, meaning you pay the deductible (usually $500 to $2,500) if there's an accident. The decline protection plan lets you decline the damage waiver and pay a lower daily rate, but you're then responsible for the full cost of any damage.

Younger renters should carefully consider which plan makes sense. If you're a new or less experienced driver, the damage waiver may be worth the extra cost because it caps your liability. If you decline protection and cause damage, you could owe thousands of dollars out of pocket. Check what your personal insurance covers before you choose, because some policies cover rental cars even if you decline Turo's protection.

What happens if you're under 18

You cannot rent a car on Turo if you're under 18. Turo's terms of service require renters to be at least 18 years old, and this is a hard requirement that the platform enforces through ID verification. If you're 17 or younger, you'll need to wait until your 18th birthday to create an account.

If you need a rental car before you turn 18, you'll need to ask a parent or guardian to rent on your behalf. They would create the Turo account, book the car, and be the primary renter. You could then drive the car with their permission, but they remain responsible for the rental agreement and any damage or violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a Turo car if I'm 18 but have had my license for less than a year?

Yes, Turo doesn't have a minimum licensing period, but individual car owners may. Some owners require renters to have held their license for at least one or two years. Check the car's listing to see if the owner has set this requirement. If they have and you don't meet it, that car won't be available to you.

Do I need to be 25 to rent any car on Turo, or just most of them?

Not all cars require you to be 25. Some owners accept renters as young as 18, though these listings are less common and may cost more. Use Turo's age filter to find cars available to your age group. The requirement varies by owner, not by car model or price.

What if I have an accident and I'm under 25 — will my rate go up?

Turo doesn't automatically raise rates based on accidents, but car owners can see your rental history and may decline to rent to you in the future if you've had damage claims. Your personal insurance rates may also increase after an accident, depending on your policy and state.

Can I add a co-signer or guarantor to rent if I'm under 18?

No. Turo requires the person who books the car to be at least 18 and to be the primary driver. A co-signer or guarantor cannot substitute for age requirements. If you're under 18, an adult must rent the car themselves.

Does Turo check my age every time I rent, or just when I sign up?

Turo verifies your age when you create your account through ID verification. They don't re-verify at every booking, but car owners can see your age and rental history when you request to book their car, and they can decline your request if you don't meet their requirements.