4 Places to Rent a Car at Age 18 (+ Where You Can’t)

Rental car companies used to only do business with customers age 25 and up, but those rules have changed in recent years. Now, the minimum age at most rental agencies is 21. But it’s still possible to rent a car if you’re 18 — you just might have to pay a little extra. Here’s where to rent a car at age 18.

How to Rent a Car with Any Rental Company

In most cases, rental car companies can set their age limits at their own discretion. But state and federal laws mandate rental car agencies to do business with customers ages 18 and up in a couple of select situations.

You should be able to rent a car at 18 at most major car rental companies if you meet the following requirements:

• You are renting a car in New York or Michigan, where state law requires car rental agencies to rent to drivers ages 18 and older. A young driver surcharge may apply.
• You have a military ID and are traveling on government business. A young driver surcharge shouldn’t apply in this case.

Otherwise, you’ll have to find a company that specifically permits rentals to 18-year-old drivers. And in most of those cases, you’ll be subject to an under-25 young driver surcharge.

Underage Driver Fees

Rental car companies usually charge extra fees for drivers under the age of 25 because young drivers are far more likely to get into accidents, according to 2018 data by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

This data shows rental car agencies that it’s relatively risky to trust younger drivers with their cars. That leads to age restrictions and extra fees for drivers under 25. Read more about the under-25 fee and how to get around it in our article, Car Rental Without Under 25 Fee? Yes. Here’s How.

Rental Companies That Rent to 18-Year-Olds

Hertz

• Minimum age: 18
• Under 25 fee: $35 to $52 based on the location, driver’s age, and the vehicle being rented. AAA members between the ages of 20 and 24 can get the under-25 fee waived with proof of membership.
• Restrictions: You can’t rent certain types of vehicles if you’re under 25.
• Source: Hertz Age Restrictions and Exceptions.
• Begin the rental process at the Hertz website

Rent-A-Wreck

• Minimum age: 18 at most locations, but as high as 25 at others. Call the location you’ll rent from to confirm a car is available.
• Young driver surcharge: Not specified, depends on the rental location.
• Restrictions: For customers under 25 years of age, Rent-a-Wreck usually requires a credit card as payment.
• Source: Rent-A-Wreck’s age policies
• Begin the rental process on the Rent-A-Wreck website

Zipcar

• Minimum age: 21, but 18 for college students.
• Young driver surcharge: None
• Locations: Find your nearest ZipCar. Available in cities across the U.S. and internationally.
• Restrictions: No restrictions.
• Source: Zipcar eligibility requirements webpage
• Begin the rental process on the Zipcar website

Atwest Rent a Car (Los Angeles and San Francisco only)

• Minimum age: 18 if the driver has proof of their own auto insurance; if not, the required age is 21
• Young driver surcharge: Yes. They display as “CDW & Liability” during the reservation process.
• Restrictions: Under-21 customers must provide proof of their insurance policy; if renter’s name does not appear on the insurance card, bring the page of the policy showing the renter as an additional driver on the policy.
• Source: Atwest Rent a Car’s policies page
• Begin the rental process on Atwest Rent a Car’s website

Rental Companies that Don’t Rent to 18-Year-Olds

We’ve included the following list in case you’re wondering, “But what about that place?”

The following rental car agencies have minimum age requirements above 18:

ACE Rent a Car

• Minimum age: 21 (at most locations)
• Under 25 fee: Yes, varies by location
• Source: ACE Rent a Car FAQs

Advantage Rent a Car

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: $25 per day
• Restrictions: You must have a credit card in your name, a valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance in your name.
• Source: Advantage Rent a Car FAQs

Alamo Rent a Car

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: $25 per day
• Restrictions: The types of vehicles that can be rented are limited for drivers under 25. Debit cards are not accepted.
• Source: Alamo Rent a Car Age Requirements 

Avis Rent a Car

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: $27 per day (higher in Michigan and New York)
• Restrictions: You must pay by credit or debit card and can only rent certain types of vehicles.
• Source: Avis Rent a Car Requirements for Renting

Budget

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: $27 per day (higher in Michigan and New York)
• Restrictions: You must pay by credit card (in your name) and can only rent certain types of vehicles.
• Source: Budget Requirements for Renting

Dollar Rent a Car

• Minimum age: 20 at most locations
• Under 25 fee: Yes; amount varies by location
• Source: Dollar Rent a Car General Policies

Enterprise

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: Yes; amount varies by location. In Michigan, the fee is $13 per day for under 25 and $34 per day for under 21; in New York state, the fee is $20 per day for under 25 and $57 per day for under 21. In other states, you must begin the reservation process to find out the amount of the fee.
• Restrictions: You can only rent certain types of vehicles if you’re under 25.
• Source: Enterprise Requirements for Renting

E-Z Rent-a-Car

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: Ages 21 to 24: $20 per day; under 21: $35 per day
• Restrictions: Local renters must provide proof of insurance or pay by credit card and purchase collision damage waiver.
• Source: Customer service representative and E-Z Rent-a-Car’s rental requirements

Fox Rent a Car

• Minimum age: 19, 21, or 25 depending on the location
• Under 25 fee: 21-24, $20 per day; under 21, $25-$30 per day
• Restrictions: Debit cards are only accepted for rentals made at least 24 hours in advance and for renters who are at least 21 years old and live within 150 miles of the rental location. Otherwise, you must pay with a credit card.
• Source: Fox Rent a Car Rental Policies.

Getaround

• Minimum age: 19 (25 for specialty cars)
• Locations: Available in 23 major cities across the U.S.
• Restrictions: You must have had a driver’s license for at least two years, have a clean driving record if under 21 (no more than two violations in the last three years if over 21) and no DUI or drug incidents in the last seven years. See all of the Getaround Renter Eligibility Requirements.

National Car Rental

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: Yes; amount varies by location. See the exact amount by selecting your rental location and beginning the reservation process
• Restrictions: You can only rent certain types of vehicles if you’re under 25.
• Source: National Car Rental’s website

Payless Car Rental

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: $25 per day
• Restrictions: You must pass a driving record test and a credit check. Only some locations accept debit cards.
• Source: Payless Car Rental Age Requirements

Silvercar

• Minimum age: 22
• Locations: Available in 17 major cities across the U.S.
• Restrictions: You must use a credit card that’s in your name.
• Note: Silvercar also offers free satellite radio, GPS, and Wi-Fi.

Sixt Rent a Car

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: Yes, amount not specified online
• Restrictions: You must have had a valid driver’s license for one year and can only rent certain types of vehicles if you’re under 25.
• Source: Sixt Rent a Car Rental Information: Age Restrictions.

Thrifty Car Rental

• Minimum age: 20 at most locations
• Under 25 fee: Yes; amount varies by location
• Source: Thrifty Car Rental Frequently Asked Questions

Turo

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: $10 or 30% of the total trip price (whichever is larger)
• Source: Turo Support: “Age restrictions”

U-Save

• Minimum age: 21
• Under 25 fee: Yes; amount varies by location but will be between $15 and $50 per day (highest in Michigan and New York)
• Restrictions: Vehicle limitations may apply. You cannot use a debit card to pay for the rental deposit.
• Source: Visit the U-Save website to find a location, then choose Location Website to reach the web page and regulations for that particular location.

In Summary

And that’s where to rent a car at age 18. E-Z Rent a Car and Zipcar are the only major U.S. rental agencies that will rent to those under 21 or 25. However, if you’re 18 and have a military ID and are traveling on government business, you should be able to rent a car from most major agencies. Also, if you’re renting from an agency in New York or Michigan, state law requires that rental car companies rent to drivers ages 18 and up, though companies may still subject young drivers to an under-25 fee.

Need a hotel too? Here’s the List of Hotels That Allow 18-Year-Olds to Book

If you’re about to turn 19, you can find a complete list of car rental companies that rent to drivers ages 19 and 20 in our article, Rent a Car Under 21: Here’s Who Will Rent to You. Or, to compare several rental options or find the best price, see our car rental selection tool.