How to rent a car when you are under 25: Five things car renters should know

You’re young, and you’ve got places to go, things to see, selfies to take, and #JackKerouac vibes to fulfill. You’ve been told the world is your oyster, and you’re ready to dive into it – that is, until you try and rent a car, and friends and family tell you that you need to be 25 to do so. Or so they thought. Turns out, age is just a number, and being 25 years old isn’t actually the be-all-end-all when renting a car. Here are five questions answered that 20-somethings should know before hitting the open road.

How old do I need to be to rent a car?

To rent a car you typically need to be at least 20 years old. However, it varies. While most car rental companies rent to drivers aged 20 years old and above, every rental car company has their own policy. Some car rental companies base their rental age on state regulations. For example, Michigan and New York have a minimum rental age requirement of 18 years old, while in Mississippi it's 21 years old. Others set their own company standards for young renters and clearly state that on their website.

At Hertz, we happily rent to customers aged 20 and above. You can find out more on our Age Restrictions and Exceptions page.
 

Is there an additional under-25 rental fee?

Yes. The standard rental rate is the same no matter the age of the renter – however, a Young Renter daily fee is added to the reservation of anyone under 25. This fee protects the rental car company from high-risk drivers. Statistically, drivers under 25 years old are more likely to be involved in an accident. Rental car companies add the additional fee to help protect themselves from the added risk they are assuming.

How can you avoid an under-25 car rental fee?

There are a couple of different options to avoid the underage fee. If you are a United Service Automobile Association member (USAA) or an American Automobile Association member (AAA), the fee could be waived when you rent from car companies that accept these associations. USAA memberships are reserved for U.S. Military and their families while AAA is available to anyone.
 

When I rent a car do I have to purchase additional insurance?

No additional insurance is required for your car rental if you are under 25 years old, but it is strongly recommended that you have personal auto insurance. Check with your car insurance company to see if rental car coverage is included in your package.

Another great way to keep yourself protected is by adding optional Loss Damage Waivers. When you purchase Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), which is not insurance, you will not be held responsible for damage to the rental car, provided the loss or damage was not the result of any prohibited use of the car.
 

Can I rent sports cars or luxury cars if I’m under 25?

Some sports vehicles could be available to young renters, like Camaros, Chargers or Mustangs. Under 25-year-olds are excluded from renting cars from the Dream Car® Collection, Prestige Collection and Adrenaline Collection®. Every rental car company has rules as to what cars are available for young drivers to rent, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with a minivan. More and more companies are offering a wide range of models for young renters, so call ahead and check to see what vehicles are available to you.

Ready to hit the road? To learn more about Hertz rental car options for young drivers, click here.