The rental car company sets the age limit, not the law

There is no federal or state law that says how old you must be to rent a car. Instead, each rental company decides its own minimum age policy. Most major chains — Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, National — require you to be at least 25 years old. Some will rent to drivers as young as 21, but they charge a daily underage driver fee, typically $15 to $30 per day. A few regional companies rent to 18-year-olds, though this is uncommon and the fees are steeper.

The reason is insurance and liability. Rental companies use actuarial data showing that drivers under 25 have higher accident rates. They pass that risk onto you through fees or outright rejection. If you are under 25, your actual options depend on which company you contact and what state you are in — policies vary slightly by location.

Key Takeaways

  • Most major rental companies require you to be 25 years old; those that rent to younger drivers charge an underage fee of $15 to $30 per day.
  • No law sets a minimum age — rental companies set their own policies, so calling ahead to confirm is the only way to know if you can rent.
  • Some regional and specialty rental companies rent to 18-year-olds, but availability is limited and fees are higher than for drivers 25 and up.
  • Your driver's license must be valid and in your name; a learner's permit does not satisfy rental company requirements even if you are old enough.
  • Insurance coverage through the rental company or your personal policy may have its own age restrictions that override the rental company's willingness to rent to you.

What the major rental companies actually require

Enterprise, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and National all set 25 as their standard minimum age. If you are 21 to 24, they will rent to you but add a daily surcharge — usually $15 to $25 per day depending on the company and your location. Some locations are stricter and will not rent to anyone under 25 at any price.

Alamo and Fox Rent A Car also require 25 as the baseline. Thrifty's policy varies by location; some Thrifty franchises rent to 21-year-olds with a fee, others do not. The only way to know is to call the specific location where you plan to rent, not the national customer service line. A representative at the counter cannot override a location's policy, and policies can change.

If you are under 21, the major chains will not rent to you under any circumstance. Your only options are specialty companies, which are harder to find and often more expensive overall.

Regional and specialty companies that rent to younger drivers

Some smaller rental companies and regional chains do rent to 18-year-olds. Turo, which is a peer-to-peer car rental platform (you rent from individual owners rather than a company), has no company-wide age minimum — individual owners set their own rules, and many will rent to 18-year-olds. Zipcar, a car-sharing service, rents to drivers 18 and up in most markets. Neither is a traditional rental company, and both work differently from Enterprise or Hertz.

Local independent rental agencies sometimes rent to younger drivers, particularly in college towns. The fees are often higher than at major chains, and the cars are typically older. You will need to search for these by location; there is no national directory. Calling local rental companies in your area is the fastest way to find out who will work with you.

Rental car companies at some airports have different policies than their off-airport locations. An airport Hertz might enforce 25 strictly, while a Hertz five miles away rents to 21-year-olds with a fee. Always confirm with the specific location, not the brand.

Why your driver's license type matters

You must have a valid driver's license in your own name. A learner's permit, even if you are old enough by age, does not satisfy rental company requirements. Rental companies treat a learner's permit as a provisional license that restricts where and when you can drive, and they will not rent to you on one.

If you have a valid driver's license but it is expired, you cannot rent. The license must be current on the day you pick up the car. Some companies check expiration dates at the counter and will refuse the rental if your license expires within 30 days, though this varies by location.

An international driver's permit is acceptable at most major chains if you also have your passport and a valid license from your home country. A state ID card is not a driver's license and will not work, even if you are old enough.

Insurance and age restrictions you need to know about

Even if a rental company will rent to you, your insurance coverage might not. If you are under 25 and covered under a parent's auto insurance policy, that policy may exclude rental cars or exclude drivers under a certain age. You need to call your insurance company and ask specifically: "Does my policy cover me if I rent a car, and are there age restrictions?" Do not assume the answer is yes.

The rental company's own insurance (collision damage waiver, or CDW) also has age restrictions at some companies. You may be able to rent the car but not able to decline their damage waiver, which means you are forced to buy their insurance at a higher rate. This is another reason to call ahead and ask what the total cost will be for your age group.

Credit card rental car coverage — the protection some credit cards offer when you use them to pay for a rental — often excludes drivers under 25. Check your card's terms before you book.

How to find out what you can actually rent

Do not rely on a rental company's website to tell you whether they will rent to you. Websites show national policy, but local locations override it. Call the specific rental location where you plan to pick up the car. Have your date of birth ready and ask: "Will you rent to me on [date], and if so, what is the daily rate and any underage fee?"

Write down the name of the person you spoke to and the date and time of the call. If you book online and the location later refuses to rent to you because of age, you will have proof that you confirmed in advance.

If you are renting for a trip, call at least one week ahead. This gives you time to find an alternative if the location you chose will not work. If you wait until the day before or the day of, you may have no other options in your area.

What happens if you lie about your age

Rental companies verify your age against your driver's license at the counter. You cannot lie about your age because the license is the proof. If your license shows you are under the company's minimum age, they will refuse the rental. If you provide a false ID, you have committed fraud, which is a crime.

Some people try to rent under someone else's name. The rental agreement requires the person who signs it to be the person driving the car. If you are in an accident and the company discovers the driver was not the person named on the contract, your insurance claim will be denied and you will be liable for all damages. The rental company can also pursue you for fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a car with a learner's permit if I am 25 years old?

No. Rental companies require a valid driver's license, not a learner's permit, regardless of your age. A learner's permit is a provisional license that comes with restrictions on when and where you can drive, and rental companies will not accept it.

Will my parent's insurance cover me if I rent a car and I am under 25?

Maybe not. Many auto insurance policies exclude rental cars or exclude drivers under 25. Call your insurance company and ask specifically whether your policy covers you as a renter and whether there are age restrictions. Do not assume yes.

Is there a difference between renting at an airport and renting off-airport?

Yes. Airport locations often have stricter age policies than off-airport locations of the same company. A Hertz at an airport might require 25, while a Hertz downtown rents to 21-year-olds with a fee. Always call the specific location where you plan to rent.

What if I cannot find any rental company that will rent to me?

Turo and Zipcar are alternatives to traditional rental companies. Turo is peer-to-peer (you rent from individuals), and Zipcar is a car-sharing service. Both have different age policies than major chains, though costs and vehicle availability vary by location.

Can I rent a car in someone else's name and then drive it?

No. The rental agreement requires the person who signs it to be the primary driver. If you are in an accident and the company discovers you were not the person named on the contract, your insurance claim will be denied and you will be liable for damages. This is also considered fraud.