How Old Do You Have To Be To Rent A Car?
The minimum age to rent a car in the USA is 21 years. However, it can be 18 years in some states, such as Michigan and New York. Even for military personnel, the age limit is different, i.e., 18 years. Some companies allow young renters to rent a car, but they often charge an extra fee.
This could be somewhere around USD 25 to USD 65 per day. However, the cost may vary. Along with this, a different set of documents will be needed. One must acquire every detail before renting a car.
At What Age You Can Get a Rental Car?
In general, there are a total of 3 bands of age-related requirements for a rental car. One should go through these to understand the rules better:
Between 18 and 20 years
This age bracket is followed by the leading car rental companies in the US.
One can connect with Hertz, Budget, Dollar, and others if they are between 18 and 20 years old.
However, a car rental may charge a young renter fee of USD 25 to USD 60+.
At the same time, they restrict their services to this age group in New York and Michigan.
A driver's license without a DUI conviction will be needed as a primary document.
Between 21 and 24 years
Anyone who is between this age cluster can approach Hertz, Dollar, Enterprise, SIXT, etc. to rent a car.
An additional fee of USD 20 to USD 35 per day will be charged.
This fee can be higher in certain cases.
A credit card and a valid driving license are mandatory.
Debit cards can also be used for deposits, but it is subject to additional rules.
Agencies may not offer performance vehicles, large SUVs, and luxury cars for this age group.
25 years and above
This is the most common age group.
It is free from most vehicle-related restrictions.
Rental companies, such as Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and others, offer easy car rentals to renters of this category.
They can rent a car in almost every state, including New York.
An extra fee may also not be imposed for those who are 25 years of age and above.
Just like other categories, valid driving license, credit cards, and company-specific documents.
Note: Company-to-company age-related policies and rules may vary. So, contact the chosen service provider to get thorough details regarding the same.
Why is the Minimum Age for Car Rental in the USA Different Across the States?
As mentioned earlier, the minimum age limit varies from one state or company to another. There are certain reasons for this, so renters should understand it for a positive experience.
Insurance-Related Risks: According to federal laws and data, in most accidents, drivers who are under 25 years of age are involved.
State-Based Regulations: States, such as Michigan, have their own rules due to different reasons. This is why there is a variation of age limits here.
Company Policies and Vehicle-Related Restrictions: Rental agencies in New York and other regions may not allow renters below 25 years of age due to safety reasons. This rule is enforced on passenger vans, SUVs, luxury cars, etc.
Documents Needed to Prove Age While Renting a Car in the US
To prove the age, renters will need to show certain documents. Although some companies may need additional documents, some common ones have been listed here:
Driving License: This is the most critical and primary document that verifies the renter’s age. Some states issue it when a person is 21 years and above, while in others, the age limit to obtain it is 18.
Photo ID: With most companies, a license is enough, but some of them may also ask to submit additional documents/IDs, such as a passport or any other document issued by the government. This is particularly for international renters.
Credit Card: Although one can use debit cards for security deposits, most rental agencies only accept payments through credit cards. Contact the respective company for this.
Remember: No rental car accepts digital licenses for age verification. Renters will need to show the physical license while renting a car.
Important Aspects of Age-Requirement to Know
While renting a car, there are a few critical aspects of rental car age requirements that one must know. These include the following:
Almost every car rental company will charge a young renter fee/surcharge for those who are below 25 years of age.
Due to insurance risks and state-based rules, the renter fee will be charged on a daily basis.
21 years is the standard age to get a rental car, but it will be above or more in different states.
Renters under 25 years of age cannot rent luxury cars, SUVs, or other larger vans.
For government employees, such as military personnel, the minimum age is 18 years to rent a car.
An active driving license, a credit card, a photo ID, etc., are needed to prove age.
There is no specific upper age limit to rent a car in the country.
