Minimum age to rent on Turo
You must be at least 18 years old to rent a car on Turo. Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental platform where individual car owners list their vehicles for short-term rental, and the company enforces an 18-year minimum across all rentals in the United States.
If you are 18, 19, or 20 years old, you can create an account and book a vehicle, but you will face additional restrictions and costs compared to renters 25 and older. These restrictions exist because insurance companies and car owners view younger drivers as higher risk.
Key Takeaways
- Turo requires renters to be at least 18 years old, with no exceptions for younger drivers.
- Renters aged 18 to 24 pay a young driver fee that varies by vehicle and location, typically ranging from $15 to $30 per day.
- Some car owners on Turo set their own age minimums above 25, which means certain vehicles will not be available to you if you are under 25.
- You will need a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a credit card to complete your rental, regardless of age.
- Damage liability and insurance coverage work differently on Turo than traditional rental companies, and age affects your coverage options.
Young driver fees for renters under 25
If you are between 18 and 24 years old, Turo charges a young driver fee on top of the daily rental rate. This fee is set by Turo, not by individual car owners, and it applies to every rental you make on the platform during this age range.
The young driver fee typically ranges from $15 to $30 per day depending on the vehicle's value and your location. A luxury or high-value car will have a higher fee than an economy vehicle. You will see the exact fee before you confirm your booking, so there are no surprises at checkout.
Once you turn 25, the young driver fee disappears entirely, and you pay only the owner's listed daily rate plus Turo's service fee.
Vehicle availability based on owner restrictions
Even though Turo allows 18-year-olds to rent, individual car owners can set their own minimum age requirement for their vehicles. Many owners set a 25-year minimum, which means their cars straightforward will not appear in search results if you are under 25.
This is one reason why younger renters often see fewer vehicle options than older renters in the same area. If you search for cars in your city and the selection seems limited, it may be because many owners have excluded drivers under 25 from booking their vehicles.
You cannot override an owner's age requirement, and owners are not required to explain their reasoning. If you want to rent a specific car and the owner has set an age minimum above your current age, you will need to wait until you reach that age or choose a different vehicle.
Insurance and damage liability for young renters
Turo offers two insurance options: the standard protection plan and the premium protection plan. Both are available to renters 18 and older, but the coverage details and your out-of-pocket costs differ based on which plan you choose.
With the standard plan, you are responsible for damage up to a certain amount (typically $3,000 to $15,000 depending on the vehicle). With the premium plan, your out-of-pocket maximum is lower or eliminated, but the daily cost is higher. Age does not change which plans are available to you, but younger renters should carefully review the damage liability limits because a claim could be expensive.
You will also need to provide proof of your own auto insurance when you book. If you do not have an active insurance policy in your name, you cannot complete a Turo rental, regardless of age.
Documentation you will need at any age
To rent a car on Turo, you must provide a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and a credit card. These requirements explore whether you are 18 or 65.
Your driver's license must be current and not suspended or revoked. Turo will verify your license information when you create your account. Your proof of insurance must show that you are covered to drive other people's vehicles (this is called "non-owned vehicle coverage" on some policies). If your insurance does not cover rental cars, you will need to add that coverage or purchase Turo's premium protection plan.
The credit card is used to hold a security deposit and to charge the rental fee and any applicable fees or damage claims. Turo accepts most major credit cards but does not accept debit cards for the security deposit.
How age affects your rental history and trust score
Turo uses a trust score system that affects which cars you can book and what owners will accept from you. Your score is based on your rental history, reviews from car owners, and your account age. Being 18 does not automatically lower your score, but it means you start with no rental history.
If you complete several rentals without incident and receive positive reviews from owners, your trust score will increase. This makes more vehicles available to you over time, because owners are more likely to accept bookings from renters with proven track records. Conversely, if you receive poor reviews or have damage claims, your score drops and fewer owners will accept your bookings.
This system means that age is just one factor in whether an owner will rent to you. A 19-year-old with five positive rentals may have better access to vehicles than a 30-year-old renting for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a Turo car if I am 17?
No. Turo's minimum age requirement is 18, with no exceptions. You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license to create an account or book a vehicle.
Do I have to pay the young driver fee if I am 21?
Yes. The young driver fee applies to all renters aged 18 to 24. You will pay this fee on every rental until you turn 25, at which point it stops appearing on your bookings.
What if a car owner will not rent to me because I am under 25?
You cannot change an owner's age requirement. Your options are to choose a different vehicle from an owner who allows renters under 25, or to wait until you turn 25. Building a strong rental history with positive reviews may help you access more vehicles in the meantime.
Do I need my own car insurance to rent on Turo?
Yes, you must provide proof of active auto insurance when you book. If your policy does not cover rental cars, you can purchase Turo's premium protection plan instead, though this costs more per day than the standard plan.
Will my age affect my ability to rent luxury or expensive cars?
Age is one factor, but not the only one. Many owners of luxury vehicles set a 25-year minimum age requirement, which would exclude you if you are younger. Even if an owner allows renters under 25, they may decline your booking based on your trust score or rental history. Building positive reviews helps overcome age-related restrictions.