Car Rental Tips

How to reserve a rental car under 25 years of age?

Car rentals under 25 years of age

Young People

Young renters are often in a dilemma as to whether they are eligible to rent a car or not. No matter if you are a student or vacationer, you will find your answers to everything related to under 25 car rentals here. With car rentals come a set of terms and conditions and age plays a vital role in determining the eligibility of the person to rent a vehicle.

Fortunately, many of the globally reputed suppliers allow people below the age of 25 to rent a car with a few conditions in place. Each company has a minimum age limit associated with its deals and the best way to know more about it is by reading the preferred supplier’s terms. In addition to that, most providers also collect a Young Driver Surcharge from renters under the age of 25.

Why do you have to be 25 to rent a car?

There is no such rule that the driver has to be 25 to rent a car, many international and domestic suppliers rent cars to customers as young as 18 years old and above but they put forth certain conditions. Since young drivers are less experienced driving on the roads compared to older ones, there is a higher risk of any kind of damage to the car. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, companies collect extra charges from young renters.

What is a young driver surcharge?

A Young Driver Surcharge is an additional amount collected by suppliers from young drivers on a per-day basis during the rental period. In most cases, renters below the age of 25 are required to pay a Young Driver fee while renting a car.

Important Tip: All aggregators and suppliers require you to enter your age in the booking form while searching for car rentals. It is important to provide the correct age to get access to deals relevant to you.

Under 25 car rental in The US & Canada

Car Rentals USA

In the majority of cases, suppliers have predefined age criteria for renters with 21 being the minimum requirement. But, there are a few states in the US like New York and Michigan wherein some suppliers allow renters as young as 18 to rent a car. So renters falling within the age bracket of 18-25 will most likely have to pay a Young Driver Surcharge when renting a car as the main or additional driver.

Similarly, although the minimum age requirement for car rental in Canada is 21, a few suppliers in provinces like Quebec and Saskatchewan also provide rentals to drivers aged 18. Additionally, all renters aged 18-25 are required to pay an Underage Fee.

Car rental under 25 in other North American countries

Other North American countries like Panama, Mexico, and Costa Rica also have similar requirements in regard to the minimum age requirement and Young Driver Surcharge. While the accepted minimum rental age for most companies can be anywhere from 21-25, there are a few suppliers that also rent cars to people 18 years of age. A Young Driver Fee will also be charged for renters under 25.

Car rental under 25 in Europe and the Middle East

Car Rentals Middle East

For countries in Europe like Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain & Croatia and the Middle East like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Kuwait, and Egypt, the minimum age to rent a car might vary from 18-23 based on the supplier and the location. As far as the underage fee is concerned, most suppliers in European countries collect a Young Driver Surcharge from drivers under 25 and in Middle Eastern countries, renters up to the age of 30 might be required to pay the fee.

What car rental companies rent to drivers under 25?

There are various international and domestic car rental suppliers that allow drivers below the age of 25 to rent a car at all the major locations in several countries, including but not limited to the US, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the UK, UAE, Turkey, Brazil, and many more. The thing to note here is that each supplier has different sets of terms and conditions based on the country they are serving or the vehicle types they are offering. For instance, some car providers do not rent luxury or high-end cars to young renters. Only certain categories like mini, economy, compact, and intermediate are easily available for young drivers to hire.

The best way to determine which companies are offering under 25 rentals for your preferred location is by conducting a quick search using a booking engine. This way, you can view all the deals provided by different companies under one roof, making it easier for you to compare them and book a suitable option.

Note: Be sure to carefully read the suppliers’ terms for accurate information on everything related to under 25 car rentals, including Young Driver Fees and restrictions.

Which car rental company does not charge drivers below the age of 25?

Most car rental suppliers charge renters below the age of 25 extra by collecting an additional Young Driver Fee on top of the existing rental quote. There is a low possibility of you finding a deal that doesn’t require an under-25 fee. However, to be certain, you can go through the suppliers’ Rental Terms associated with each deal to check if there is any company that provides cars to rent at your preferred location without charging you extra.

Note: The information provided in this article is to help you gain an understanding of Under 25 Rentals. The guidelines are subject to change and the only way to gather accurate information regarding the age requirement, essential documents, credit card requirement, etc., is by thoroughly reading the suppliers’ Rental Terms displayed with the deals.

What are the requirements for car rental under 25?

Required Documents

The car rental requirements for renters under 25 can vary from supplier to supplier but in most cases, you will be required to present the following documents when arriving at your supplier’s office to collect your vehicle:

  • Full & Valid Driver’s License (DL)
  • Valid ID Proof or Passport
  • Credit Card (Main Driver’s)
  • International Driving Permit (IDP)

An IDP must be presented with the domestic driver’s license if it’s printed in a non-Latin language. Additionally, make sure to carry an active credit card of the person in whose name the booking has been made. In case your supplier requires additional documents other than these, it will be mentioned in the voucher.