HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO RENT A CAR?

It’s not always easy to pin down what exactly constitutes adulthood. You will be able to legally form a business or apply for a student loan when you reach the age of eighteen. Unfortunately, the legal drinking age in the United States is currently 21 years old. There’s also the urban myth that renting a car requires you to be at least 25 years old. How can you be considered an adult at the age of 18 and legally authorized to consume alcohol at the age of 21, but not old enough to rent a car until you’re 25? So, how old do you have to be to rent a car to rent a car? In this article, I will analyze the age limits for car rentals as well as the factors that influence such decisions.

The Origins of the “25-To-Rent” Myth

The primary reason for requiring a minimum age to rent a car is the much higher insurance prices that young drivers typically face. But because young drivers are less experienced and more likely to take risks, they pay more for insurance than drivers of all ages. Since a long time ago, insurance coverage stopped at age 25 without being said. This unspoken rule didn’t stop people under 25 from renting a car, but it did make the prices much higher for them.

For example, the rental company pays for fleet insurance, which lets them cover thousands of vehicles at a cheaper rate. However, this rate is based on the average risk of all insured vehicles. Hence, by limiting rentals to customers over the age of 25, companies may considerably reduce their fleet insurance premiums and better protect themselves from potential losses. As a result, a lot of individuals misunderstood the “25 to rent” recommendation and thought it was a legit rule. However, to reduce insurance costs, this practice caught on mostly among rental firms.

Is There a Maximum Rental Age?

As things stand right now, there is no maximum rental age in effect anywhere in the United States. The same is true for Canada, which means that older people are free to drive their rental cars anywhere in North America as long as they have a valid driver’s license.

However, certain countries prohibit renting a car to anyone over the age of 80, and in some areas, even 75. Older drivers, just like their younger peers, should always call ahead and confirm their rental before going on an international trip. This is especially important if they will be driving in a foreign country. You will have the ability to stay ahead of any possible issues if you approach things in this manner.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Rent a Car

At the age of 18, you are legally permitted to vote, serve on a jury, and get married. You are nonetheless too young to rent a car in the vast majority of states inside the United States.

However, to rent a car from eight of the twelve main car rental firms, you must be at least 21 years old. A few automobile rental agencies will rent to drivers who are 19 or 20, while one will rent to drivers as young as 18. Here’s how old you need to be to rent a car from the 12 largest car rental companies:

#1. Budget

To rent a car from this company, renters must be 20 years old or older. Only in Michigan and New York do drivers have to be at least 18 to rent a car. Also, renters under the age of 25 will have to pay an additional fee.

#2. Enterprise

When renting a car from Enterprise, you must be at least 21 years old. The states of Michigan and New York are the only two that require drivers to be at least 18 years old in order to rent a car. Also, a young renter charge, often equivalent to twenty dollars per day, will be issued to drivers who are between the ages of 21 and 24. Depending on the location of the rental, this charge may be greater or lower than expected.

In the states of Michigan and New York, renters between the ages of 18 and 20 will be subject to a younger renter charge of $40 and $57, respectively.

#3. Fox

To rent a car from Fox, you must be at least 19 years old. The states of Michigan and New York are the only two that require drivers to be at least 18 years old in order to hire a vehicle.

Also, for active-duty military veterans, the minimum age to rent a vehicle is 18. Drivers who are less than 25 years old will be subject to a lower rental fee.

#4. Alamo

To rent a car from Alamo. Just like at Enterprise, the minimum age requirement to rent is 21 years old. The states of Michigan and New York are the only two that require drivers to be at least 18 years old in order to hire a vehicle.

A young renter charge, often amounting to twenty dollars per day, will be assessed to drivers who are between the ages of 21 and 24. Depending on the location of the rental, this charge may be greater or lower than expected. In the states of Michigan and New York, renters between the ages of 18 and 20 will be subject to a younger renter charge of $40 and $57, respectively.

#5. National

National sets the minimum age to rent at 21 years old. For drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, a daily young driver rental charge of around $20 will apply. This cost might be greater or lower based on the location of the rental.

In Michigan and New York, renters between the ages of 18 and 20 are subject to a lower rent charge.

#6. Payless

Here, renters must be at least 21 years old. The only states where a driver must be at least 18 to rent are Michigan and New York. Also, renters under the age of 25 will have to incur a daily fee of $25.

#7. Avis

Renters must be at least 21 years old. The only states where a driver must be at least 18 to rent are Michigan and New York. There is a young renter charge of about $27 per day for drivers between the ages of 21 and 24.

New York and Michigan charge an additional $41 and $52 per day, respectively, for cheap renters between the ages of 18 and 20.

#8. Thrifty

The legal age to rent is 20 years old. In the states of Michigan and New York, a motorist must be at least 18 years old to rent a car. Also, a younger renter fee will be assessed to all drivers under the age of 25.

#9. Kyte

This is the very first rental firm to provide door-to-door delivery service on both the beginning and the end of your journey. There are several exceptions to the rule that you must be at least 25 years old to rent with Kyte in most places.

Furthermore, Kyte has just eliminated its prohibitively expensive $120 per-day premium for drivers between the ages of 18 and 20, as well as its $45 per-day price for drivers between the ages of 21 and 25. Kyte also offers a program called Kyte for University, which exempts college students with.edu email addresses from the underage fee. This program is available to renters under the age of 25 in the states of California, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Washington, DC.

#10. Hertz

To rent a car with Hertz, renters in the United States and Canada must be at least 20 years old. However, the minimum age to rent a car in the states of Michigan and New York, as well as the Canadian province of Quebec, is 18. In both Alabama and Nebraska, you have to be at least 19 to rent a car. When you rent a car from Hertz, you also need a driver’s license that has been checked and a debit or credit card.

#11. Dollar

Here, you must be at least 20 years old to rent a car. Except for New York and Michigan, where drivers must be at least 18, all other states allow drivers as young as 16. Renters under the age of 25 are subject to a lesser rental levy.

#12. Sixt

Sixt requires a minimum age of 21 to rent a car. However to rent a car in Michigan or New York, a driver must be at least 18 years old. Drivers under the age of 25 will also be charged lower rent rates.

Can an 18 Year Old Hire a Car Abroad?

The majority of countries require their citizens to be at least 21 years old to rent a car. Some countries, including Italy, Sweden, Germany, and Morocco, allow drivers as young as 18.

Can I Rent a Car at 18 UK?

No, most U.S. and Canadian car rental facilities require renters to be 20 or older. Michigan, New York, and Quebec have 18-year-old car rental minimums. Alabama and Nebraska require 19-year-olds to hire cars. Valid driver’s license is also needed for the service.

Tips for First-Time Car Renters

If you’ve never rented a car before, consider these helpful tips to make the most of your experience.

#1. Keep the Car Clean

A cleaning fee will be charged for any car that is returned in a filthy state. You can easily avoid this problem if you bring your trash in a bag you make yourself, don’t eat in the car, and clean up quickly before you return the car.

#2. Reserve a Car of the Type You Are Used to Driving

It’s alluring to rent a dazzling car, but you will feel more at ease behind the wheel of a vehicle that is comparable to the one you normally drive. Additionally, because rental cars are often models from the last few years, you will most likely find luxuries in them that your vehicle does not have.

#3. Book Ahead of Time

Booking a reservation in advance of your arrival at the lease counter is the most effective strategy to ensure that you get the vehicle that you want for your trip. For instance, if you prepay for your rental car with Avis, you may be eligible for an extra discount, which may free up additional funds for you to spend on other aspects of your holiday.

#4. Consider Your Available Insurances

Before you pick up your rented vehicle, be sure you understand what coverage options are included in your auto insurance policy for rental cars. It’s conceivable that your credit card includes rental car insurance. If you do not already have auto insurance, it is in your best interest to obtain it at the rental car company’s counter in the event that something unpleasant occurs.

Do You Have to Be 18 to Rent a Car in Florida?

In Florida, the minimum age to rent a car is 21, and drivers must have a valid driver’s license.

Can a 17 Year Old Lease a Car UK?

Despite the fact that individuals in the UK are permitted to drive a car at the age of 17. However, most auto leasing companies in the UK do not accept applicants who are 17 years old.

Can a 19 Year Old Get a Hire Car?

To rent a car from most national rental car companies, you must be at least 20 years old. Even at this age, you will be charged with underage driving and other charges. But for most companies and in most states, you have to be at least 25 to rent a car without having to pay extra because of your age.

References

autoeurope.com
rentalscar.com
enterprise.com
theaa.com