what age can you rent a car

February 15, 2026

What Age Can You Rent a Car? Quick Scoop In the United States, the minimum age to rent a car is typically 21 at most major companies like Enterprise, Avis, Budget, and Hertz. However, exceptions exist in states like Michigan and New York , where you can rent starting at 18.

Age Rules by Company

Here's a breakdown of policies from top rental firms (updated as of late 2025):

Company| Minimum Age (Most US States)| Exceptions (Age)| Under-25 Surcharge?
---|---|---|---
Enterprise| 21| MI/NY: 18| Yes, for 21-24
Avis| 21| MI/NY: 18| Yes, higher in NY
Budget| 21| MI/NY: 18| Yes, for 21-24
Hertz| 20| MI/NY/Quebec: 18; AL/NE: 19| Yes, for under 25

Note: You'll always need a valid driver's license (held for 1+ year), major credit card, and proof of insurance. Debit cards may work but often require extra checks.

Extra Costs for Young Drivers

Renters aged 21-24 face a daily underage fee , often $25-$35 per day, stacking up fast on longer trips—think $200+ extra for a week. In NY, 18-20-year-olds pay even steeper surcharges like $84/day at Avis. No surcharge usually kicks in at 25.

Real Stories from Travelers

Forum chatter on Reddit echoes these rules but highlights workarounds:

"Turo? Peer-to-peer rentals often let 18+ drivers snag cars cheaper, no big fees."

Users in r/TravelHacks share hacks like adding a spouse 25+ as primary driver or sticking to local firms in MI/NY. One parent rented for their 20-year-old via family emergency proxies, but stressed checking state laws. Trending tip: Apps like Turo bypass traditional gates but verify host rules—some still cap at 21.

International or Other Tips

Outside the US? Rules tighten—e.g., many countries demand 25+ via suppliers like VroomVroomVroom. Always confirm with the exact location and company, as policies evolve (last major US tweaks pre-2026). Pro move: Book early, compare via sites like RidePlusDrive for under-25 friendly lists.

TL;DR Bottom: Mostly 21+ in US (18+ in MI/NY), but brace for fees under 25. Shop around!

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.