How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a U-Haul?

U-Haul is one of the most widely used moving truck and trailer rental companies in the country, but not everyone who shows up at a location will qualify to rent. Age is one of the first filters — and it works differently depending on what you're renting, where you're renting it, and a few other factors that don't always get explained upfront.

The Baseline Age Requirement for U-Haul Rentals

U-Haul's minimum age to rent is 16 years old — but that applies only to trailers, not trucks. If you're renting a moving truck (cargo vans, pickup trucks, or box trucks of any size), the minimum age is 18 years old.

This is a company-wide policy, not a state-by-state rule. U-Haul sets these thresholds nationally, so the 18-year-old floor for trucks applies whether you're renting in Florida, Oregon, or anywhere in between.

Why the Split Between Trailers and Trucks?

The distinction makes sense once you understand the liability involved. When you rent a trailer, you're attaching it to your own vehicle — a vehicle that presumably belongs to someone with a valid driver's license and insurance. The trailer itself doesn't require a separate license class, but the towing vehicle does.

When you rent a truck, you're operating U-Haul's equipment directly. The larger the truck, the more risk involved. A 26-foot box truck handles nothing like a passenger car — braking distances are longer, turning radius is wider, and backing up requires practice. That's part of why U-Haul doesn't lower the bar for trucks regardless of state driving ages.

What About Young Drivers Between 18 and 25?

🚗 Age 18 gets you in the door, but it doesn't always mean smooth sailing. U-Haul does not charge young renter fees the way traditional car rental companies (like Enterprise or Hertz) typically do for drivers under 25. This is one meaningful difference between moving truck rentals and standard car rentals.

That said, your driving record still matters. U-Haul reserves the right to decline a rental based on a poor driving history, regardless of age. At the time of rental, they typically run a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check, which reviews your history for violations, suspensions, or DUIs.

Common disqualifying factors include:

• More than two moving violations in the past three years
• Any DUI or DWI conviction
• A suspended or revoked license
• Certain felony convictions involving a vehicle

These standards apply to all renters, not just younger ones — but younger drivers with shorter records can sometimes be flagged if what exists is problematic.

What You'll Need at the Counter

Age is just one piece. When you show up to rent, U-Haul will generally require:

• A valid driver's license (not expired, not suspended)
• A major credit or debit card in your name
• Completion of the MVR check at the time of rental

U-Haul does accept debit cards, which is different from most traditional car rental companies — though some locations may place a hold on your account. Cash-only renters will have more limited options depending on the location's policies.

If you booked online under one name and someone else plans to drive, that person needs to be listed as an additional driver and must meet the same age and license requirements.

Trailers: The 16-Year-Old Exception

For renters as young as 16 renting a trailer, the same MVR check still applies. At 16, most drivers have very short records, so the check functions more as a confirmation that the license is valid and not suspended. The vehicle doing the towing, however, must be equipped for it — a hitch, ball mount, and wiring connector are required and must match the trailer's specifications.

U-Haul rents or sells hitches and can install them in many cases, though not all vehicles are compatible with every trailer type. 📦

International Licenses and Out-of-State Renters

U-Haul's age requirements don't change based on where you're from. International visitors with a foreign driver's license may be able to rent, but policies on this vary by location and country of origin. An International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside a foreign license is generally the standard approach, but this is worth confirming directly with the location before planning a move around it.

Out-of-state renters follow the same rules — your home state's driving age doesn't override U-Haul's national policy. An 18-year-old from a state with a full license at that age qualifies. A 17-year-old with a full license does not, for trucks.

The Variables That Shape Your Actual Experience

The age rules are consistent, but other parts of the rental experience vary:

• Location availability — not every U-Haul location stocks every truck size
• Local demand and pricing — rates differ by market, season, and how far in advance you book
• One-way vs. local rentals — one-way moves involve drop-off fees and availability constraints that vary by route
• Insurance options — U-Haul offers Safemove coverage, but what your personal auto insurance or credit card already covers depends entirely on your policy

How old you need to be is the simple part. Whether your record clears, whether your preferred truck is available, and whether your existing coverage applies — those answers live with your specific license history, location, and insurance terms.