There are some common age mile markers in life that we all celebrate. Sixteen, eighteen, twenty-one, and forty years old – are traditionally the big celebration years. Not surprisingly, we don’t hear about many legendary celebrations for the year we can finally rent a car.
That doesn’t seem fair. Renting a car without incurring additional fees is a surprisingly freeing hurdle to get over.
Everyone says you have to be 25 years old, do I?
Let’s take a moment to myth-bust the most common misconception about car rental age restriction. No, you do not have to be twenty-five to rent a car legally in the United States. For many years there has been an unwritten rule seemingly that a person had to be twenty-five to rent a car, which is understandably head-scratching since you can drive, drink, and vote by twenty-one. The reason for that misunderstanding is related to car rental companies and the cost of their insurance.
The quick answer is that it has never been a national law or rule that you had to be over twenty-five to rent a car. Car rental companies have always drawn a line there because it lowers the driving risk of their entire fleet, which is how their insurance costs are calculated. Car rental companies will rent to anyone under twenty-five. However, they will include a significant surcharge, but it is possible.
What is the minimum age for renting a car in every state?
Most of the United States has a minimum age of 21 for renting a car without incurring a young driver surcharge. However, some do have different age requirements.
Utah, South Dakota, Oregon, New York, Hawaii, Michigan, Arkansas, and Arizona have a minimum age of 18 for car rentals.
Nebraska and Alabama have a minimum age requirement of 19 for car rentals.
Georgia is the only state that imposes a car rental maximum age of 79 for car rentals.
Car rental surcharges by the company
Each major car rental company imposes a different surcharge on drivers under 25.
Young drivers between the ages of 21-24 pay an average $27 daily surcharge.
Young drivers between the ages of 21-24 pay an average $27 daily surcharge.
For drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, a young renter fee will apply at an average cost of $20 per day. This fee can be higher or lower, depending on the rental location.
For drivers between 18 and 20, a younger renter fee will apply in Michigan ($40) and New York ($57).
For drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, a young renter fee will apply at an average cost of $20 per day. This fee can be higher or lower, depending on the rental location.
For drivers between 18 and 20, a younger renter fee will apply in Michigan ($40) and New York ($57).
The minimum age to rent is 21. Exceptions are Michigan and New York, where a driver must be at least 18 to rent.
Drivers under age 25 will be charged a younger renter fee of $25 per day.
Their driver’s age is 25. They accept younger drivers and charge only an additional $19 a day for younger drivers. That amount is significantly lower than other competitors.
These car rental companies do not list the exact or average surcharge amount. They all indicate they add a young driver fee charger. Each one has a unique process for renting to younger adults.
The alternative to car rentals
Car rentals aren’t just costly for younger people in terms of additional charges and restrictions that the rental agency applies; there are also additional charges from car insurance providers.
Flexcar believes in removing as many barriers to having a car as possible, which is why we don’t charge young driver fees, and insurance is included with every Flexcar.
Need a car for a holiday or summer break from college? Flexcar has a wide variety of the latest makes and models. Our pay-by-the-mile subscription means you can control your costs week to week.
Why rent when you can Flexcar?
See how it works today and start owning the road, not the car!
