William LipovskyRental 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.
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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:Â Hertz Age Restrictions and Exceptions.
- Begin the rental process at the Hertz website
Rent-A-Wreck
- Minimum age:Â 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:Â Not specified, depends on the rental location.
- Restrictions:Â 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:Â None
- Locations: Find your nearest ZipCar. Available in cities across the U.S. and internationally.
- Restrictions:Â No restrictions.
- Source:Â 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:Â 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 25Â fee: Yes, varies by location
- Source:Â ACE Rent a Car FAQs
Advantage Rent a Car
- Minimum age: 21
- Under 25Â 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:Â Advantage Rent a Car FAQs
Alamo Rent a Car
- Minimum age: 21
- Under 25Â fee:Â $25 per day
- Restrictions: The types of vehicles that can be rented are limited for drivers under 25. Debit cards are not accepted.
- Source:Â Alamo Rent a Car Age RequirementsÂ
Avis Rent a Car
- Minimum age: 21
- Under 25Â 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:Â Avis Rent a Car Requirements for Renting
Budget
- Minimum age: 21
- Under 25Â fee: $27 per day (higher in Michigan and New York)
- Restrictions:Â 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 25Â fee: Yes; amount varies by location
- Source:Â 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:Â 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:Â 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 25Â fee:Â 21-24, $20 per day; under 21, $25-$30 per day
- Restrictions:Â 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:Â 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 25Â 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:Â National Car Rental’s website
Payless Car Rental
- Minimum age: 21
- Under 25Â fee: $25 per day
- Restrictions: You must pass a driving record test and a credit check. Only some locations accept debit cards.
- Source:Â 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 25Â 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:Â Sixt Rent a Car Rental Information: Age Restrictions.
Thrifty Car Rental
- Minimum age: 20 at most locations
- Under 25Â fee: Yes; amount varies by location
- Source:Â 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:Â 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.
Cathy Desmet
Jennifer Kostuch
Sonya Bateman
Kait Scirri
Erika Crawford
Lindsey Desmet
Loren Eaton
Joseph Cho
Maria R. Riegger, Esq.
I’m 18 years old with a major credit card and a military I.D. I am attending an Army Training Graduation for a friend of mines in Missouri. Are there any rental companies around St. Louis that allow 18 year olds to rent?
Hi Diane,
Because you are have a valid military ID and will be traveling for a government event, you should be able to rent with any rental car company.
Hi I’m 19 and wanting to go on a round-trip vacation​ for two days. I’m in the Mesa AZ area. Where can I find a rental car?
Hi Cardell,
Unfortunately, there are a number of options, but they only have airport rentals in Phoenix. There is a Hertz in Mesa Verde but you must be 20 to rent with them.
The information on Ace is incorrect. They too have a minimum age of 21. Also, they charge a $5 a day young driver fee for drivers 21 to 24 years of age. This is not so bad as others. Young drivers cannot rent or drive the 15 passenger vans either. This is as of 7-16-2017. This was verified with a very polite representative in the Newark Int Airport location.
Hi there!
Thanks again for this valuable information. We will look into it and change the article as necessary.
Hello. The information regarding Rent-A-Wreck is incorrect. The minimum age at most locations is 21. The minimum age at remaining locations is 25. Those in the ages of 21 – 24 will pay a surcharge and have limitations on what they can rent though not too bad. This was verified with conversations with corporate office and several field offices. Here is the site link: https://www.rentawreck.com/rental_requirements.htm
The following is the excerpt from this site as of July 16 2017.
5. Age of Renters:
The minimum age to rent a vehicle at most Rent-A-Wreck locations is 21 years of age. Renters, additional renters and or authorized additional drivers that are 21 to 24 years of age will be charged an underage 25 driver fee because of such driver’s age and in addition to any additional driver fee, if applicable. Renters 21 to 24 years of age are permitted to rent only Economy through Full Size Vehicles, Intermediate SUVs, Mini Vans, Work Pick-up Trucks, Cargo Vans and Cargo Trucks.
Please refer to the Terms and Conditions for specific information on driver ages at the Rent-A-Wreck location where you intend to rent and the applicable charge for drivers 21 to 24 years of age.
Good luck to all.
Hi there!
Thanks for providing us with this valuable information. We always strive to keep our articles up-to-date, and our readers help us do so. We will examine the information you provided and update the article as necessary.
Hi,
I am looking to rent a car in Houston. But as my age is just 19 yrs, I am finding it very difficult to find a rental company that will rent me a car.
Hi! I am 19 yo and I’d like to hire a car in NYC and return it in Washington DC. I planned to leave NY on 3rd August 17 and return the car the same day but I have trouble finding a car rental company willing to rent me a car. By the way, I’m not American (if that makes a difference). Please help! 🙂
Hi, Sarka! First, I want to recommend two of our other articles to you. We have this one on one-way rentals, which is what you’ll need and another on companies that rent to 19 year olds. The list for 19-year-olds is a bit longer. 🙂 Your best option if you are a student is probably Zipcar. They rent to 19-year-olds and offer one-way rentals. You might also try Ace, Rent a Wreck, EZ Rent a Car, or Fox Rent a Car. They’re all covered in the article on rentals for 19-year-olds. While all of them have one-way rentals, be aware that whether a one way is actually available depends on your specific pickup and drop-off locations. Being foreign shouldn’t make a difference as long as your license is valid in the US and you have a credit card valid in the US that you will use to pay for the rental.
Hi! I’m 18 and I need to rent a car for a couple days when I drive from Kansas City, Missouri to Eugene, Oregon when I move to my dorm. I have a military I.D but I am NOT active duty however my dad is. Who can I rent from and who will be the cheapest option? Thank you 🙂
Hi Adam,
Because the purpose of your rental isn’t government business, it shouldn’t make much of a difference that you have a military ID. As a student, Zipcar is probably your best bet. They’ll have some of the most reasonable rates because they often partner with universities to provide membership discounts to students. They also have one-way rentals, if you’re interested in that option.
Hi, I am trying to rent a car for when I visit San Francisco in July. I am 19 years old and I only have a debit card. When I visit the website for both rent-a-wreck and e-z car both said I had to be 20 or 21 years old. Please help!
Hi Tia,
We researched E-Z Car Rental and found that they had changed their policy to a minimum rental age of 21. We updated the article accordingly. We also found that ACE Rent A Car locations in San Francisco also require renters to be at least 21. The only way you may be able to get around this requirement is by having a close family member or friend to rent the car and then add you on as a driver. Sorry, wish I could bring you better news!
Looking for a rent a car in Connecticut for the next week.I am 19.
Hi, of the companies listed in this article, Rent A Wreck, Ace Rent a Car, and Zipcar have locations in Connecticut. Good luck finding a company that meets your needs. Also, take a look at this article on companies that rent to 19 year olds. There should be a lot more helpful info for you there as well!
Hi, Looking to rent a car next week in San Francisco/Near Areas as i’m 18, what can i go for?
Hi Max,
We found both an E-Z Car Rental and an ACE Car Rental located at the airport. There is also an ACE Car Rental on Taylor Street (94102). Good luck!
You stated “Drivers in New York or Michigan can rent a car at age 18, regardless of the rental company. (This applies to companies in New York or Michigan, not residents of New York or Michigan who are renting elsewhere.)”. I am 18 and reside in Albany, NY. Does this mean i can rent from any company as I am having a hard time finding one
Hi Sarah,
According to NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, “New York State law prohibits car rental companies from refusing to rent to consumers who are 18 or older, who do not have a credit card, or because of race, color, ethnic origin, religion, disability or sex.” You can get more information about this law here.
Thank you so much for this! This was very helpful, but unfortunately, I am still having trouble finding a company. I am 20 years old, and I need rent a car for a week in Orlando, preferably from the airport. Fox? Advantage said no on their website.
Hi Barb,
Yes, Fox will rent to individuals 19 years of age and older. We verified this information on the FAQ section of their website. Here is the link to Fox rental at Orlando (MCO) Airport.
Are there any places that will rent a car to a 19 year old in TN?
Hi Tan,
Unfortunately, due to the volume of comments that we receive, we’re not able to help with individual requests. Check out the companies we’ve listed in our article and contact them to confirm which ones are located near you. Then call the individual rental location to verify the minimum age requirement. Good luck!
Hey My name is Chella, I’m 19 years old and looking to rent a car in MIA or FLL area. Any Car rental than E-Z
Hi Chella,
Fox has a number of locations in that area, and they often rent to people as young as 19. https://www.foxrentacar.com/en/19—up-rental-program.html
I’m 18 and going to college in Michigan and would need a car to travel to PA on some weekends. Would a Michigan car rental company allow me to rent at 18 even if I plan to drive out of MI?
I’m Alyssa, 17 years old need a rental in LAX or near LAX
Alyssa,
Unfortunately, due to the volume of comments that we receive, we’re not able to help with specific, individual requests. Our article only covers car rental companies that will rent to you at age 18, and I’m not aware of any car rental companies that will rent to a minor. 18 is usually the minimum age for car rentals at any location for any company. Sorry I couldn’t bring you better news!
Hello! I am a 18 years old highe school student with a California driver’s license and I am planning to rent a car in Seattle during Easter Break. What are the possible options besides E-Z?
Sigure,
Unfortunately, due to the volume of comments that we receive, we’re not able to help with specific, individual requests. I recommend that you conduct a Google search to determine which other locations listed above (besides E-Z) are located in the Seattle area. I hope this helps!
Hello! I am 18 (still in high school) and trying to rent a car from the Boston area to tour colleges during spring break. Are there any possible options for me?
Hi Julia,
Unfortunately, due to the volume of comments that we receive, we’re not able to help with specific, individual requests. To help you find a place to rent a car in Boston, I would recommend that you visit the website links that we’ve provided in the article above, and check each company to see which ones have a location in Boston — then just call to verify the minimum age requirement at that particular service center. This should be an easy way to find out where you can rent. Best of luck with your college tours!
need a rental car company in lihue, Kauai for 18 year old
Hi Brandon,
Unfortunately, no major companies that have been confirmed to rent to 18-year-old drivers have a location in Kauai. According to Hawaii Car Rentals, you may be able to rent through Dollar Car Rental, but only if you are booking through a travel agent who is registered with Blue Sky Tours Hawaii. Some travelers have also reported that Island Cars LLC will rent to 18-year-old drivers, although the company’s website only states that it will rent to those under 26 and does not give a specific minimum age. You can reach Island Cars LLC at 1-800-246-6009 to ask if you would be able to rent from this company. I hope this helps, and enjoy your trip!
Hello! Im in the Army Reserves and im 18. Flying to LAX next weekend to visit my family (currently in CT) Since i have an active military ID, i can rent a car anywhere? Looking for cheap places as well..
Hi Mel,
Unfortunately, it seems that there are numerous car rental companies that only allow underage drivers to rent with a military ID when they are on official government business; the exceptions to the age limits typically don’t apply for leisure travel. I definitely apologize for the misinformation in the article. I’ve amended the article to clarify this point.
Regardless of military status, E-Z Rent-A-Car does have a location at LAX that rents to drivers as young as 18. Rent-A-Wreck also has a Los Angeles location and states that it accommodates under-25 drivers (although it doesn’t specify a minimum age, so you may wish to call and confirm). Again, my apologies for any inconvenience that the article has caused. Please let me know if I can answer any further questions, and enjoy your trip!
I’m 20 years old and going to Miami or Orlando in September. I want to hire a car which I would like to return in Venice/Sarasota or Fort Myers if it’s a must. Which companies I can look up to? I am American, but I have european driving license only.
Is there any chance I could hire Ford Mustang?
Hi Max,
Fox Rent a Car could be a good option for you; this company rents to drivers as young as 19 and has locations in Miami, Orlando, and Fort Myers. E-Z Rent-A-Car will be another good company to investigate, with locations in Miami, Orlando, and Fort Myers as well. You shouldn’t have a problem renting with a European driver’s license as long as it’s valid through the duration of the rental, but it’s a good idea to double check with the location you’ll be renting from in case any specific policies or restrictions apply. As far as renting a Ford Mustang, it will depend on which company you choose and the dates of your trip to determine which vehicles are available. I hope this helps, and enjoy your trip!
Im 19 in Cincinnati and trying to get to Lynchburg Virginia. I dont think my car will make the 400 mile trip so I was trying to rent round trip over a weekend or something.
Hi William,
Unfortunately, it looks like neither E-Z Rent-A-Car, Rent-A-Wreck, Fox Rent a Car, nor ACE Rent a Car has a location in Cincinnati. If you’re a university student, you can consider signing up with Zipcar, as this company is affiliated with the University of Cincinnati. Otherwise, you may need to risk the trip in your car or find another method of transportation. Best of luck and let me know if I can answer any further questions!
I need to rent a car in Rochester, NY for a weekend and i’m 18. I’m looking for a way to get around the age restrictions so I can rent nicer cars. It will be snowy when i’m there and I want an SUV but every company limits 18y-o customers from renting anything better than the standard small sedan. Do all companies strictly enforce their restrictions and is there any way to cheat them?
Hi Nic,
In most cases, rental companies will be very strict about requiring that all drivers (even additional drivers) meet the minimum age requirements for the rental car. It can’t hurt to ask the company that you plan to rent from if there is anything that you would be able to work out, such as having an older driver as the primary renter or putting up an additional deposit. If you’re a university student, you can look into Zipcar as the best possibility for renting something other than a sedan; Zipcar consistently allows renters to be as young as 18 and frequently has SUVs available for rent. Best of luck!
I found one! Avis rented me a Camero SS – they’ll rent anything to an 18 year old
Hi Nicholas,
That’s great! I’m glad to hear you got something worked out. Enjoy your trip!
I’m 18 and live in Georgia and I want to rent a car
Hi Alicia,
While Rent-A-Wreck does not have any Georgia locations, both E-Z Rent-A-Car and ACE Rent a Car have locations in the Atlanta International Airport that will rent to drivers as young as 18, with certain restrictions. You can read more about these restrictions on the web page for the ACE Rent a Car Atlanta location (click on Young and Additional Drivers for full details), or the page for the E-Z Rent-A-Car Atlanta location (scroll to the Policies section for full details). I hope this helps!
I work for a company that has employees under the age of 21. We have frequent need for car rentals due to our business requiring travel. Do you know which car rental companies offer that option with business accounts? So far, every one I’ve called don’t offer that option even with a business account.
Hi Sheri,
Unfortunately, I’m not aware of any specific rental car companies that allow drivers under 21 with a business account as a company-wide policy. State laws may influence the rental car companies’ willingness (or ability) to offer this service. The best bet would likely be the rental car agencies we have listed here, that rent to drivers at age 18 with or without a business account. You can also take a look at our list of places that will rent to 19-year-old drivers. These companies, which have a general policy of renting to under-21 drivers, will be the most likely candidates to allow young drivers on a business account. I hope this helps, and let me know if I can answer any more questions!
Hey! So I’m trying to plan this trip to Hawaii for my boyfriend and I but we’re both 19 and both having been to Hawaii before we’re going to need a car for sure. Help? Thanks !!
Hi Dee,
It looks like E-Z Rent-A-Car might be a perfect option — the company has a location at Maui International Airport that does rent to drivers as young as 18. (Rent-A-Wreck doesn’t have any Hawaii locations; ACE Rent A Car has two — but both of them require drivers to be at least 21.) E-Z Rent-A-Car will charge a $35 per day young driver fee, but at least you should be able to get your rental. Have a great trip!
Looking to rent a car in oregon at 18. Parentso can rent but I need to drive it as additional driver or whatever.
Hi Clair,
Typically the minimum age restrictions apply to all drivers, not just the person who makes the rental — so unfortunately having your parents rent the car won’t do you much good. It looks like neither E-Z Rent-A-Car nor Rent-A-Wreck has a location in Oregon; ACE Rent a Car does have a service center in Portland, but the minimum age to rent from that particular location is 21. Zipcar is affiliated with a number of universities in Oregon, so if you are a college student, you can rent through Zipcar with a student membership (which starts at $15). These are all the major nationwide chains that rent to 18-year-olds, but it may be worth trying a Google search for smaller, more local car rental agencies in your area who would be willing to rent to an 18-year-old driver. Best of luck!
Hi, I’m looking for a car to rent only for a couple days. I’m 18, and I live in Omaha Nebraska.
Hi Bree,
Unfortunately, neither Rent-a-Wreck, E-Z Rent-A-Car, nor ACE Rent a Car has a location in Omaha. Zipcar is affiliated with the University of Nebraska at Omaha, so if you are a college student, you can rent from Zipcar with a student membership. It looks like this will be your only option for renting a car in your local area. Best of luck!
hey I’m going to miami in april was wondering what places ic ould rent from
Hi George,
It looks like E-Z Rent-A-Car has a Miami International Airport location that rents to 18-year-olds. Rent-A-Wreck doesn’t have a Miami location, and Ace Rent a Car’s Miami location requires renters to be at least 21 — so it looks like E-Z Rent-A-Car will be the best bet. I hope this helps!
Hello,
I’m 18 and I am from china, I have a Chinese driver license. Can I rent a car in Alaska?
Hi Yisong,
It looks like the only company that rents to 18-year-old drivers with a location in Alaska is E-Z Rent-A-Car. However, the website does not publish anything about renting to drivers with an international driver’s license. I would recommend that you contact E-Z Rent-A-Car customer service to find out more about whether this would be a viable option for you. Best of luck!
Hello,
I’m 18 and I want to rent a car for a long time ( almost 4 months) in San Diego but I read so many bad comments about E-Z If you can suggest me another company that would be great.Thank you.
Hi Alara,
Unfortunately, companies that will rent cars to 18-year-olds are few and far between. If you’d rather not rent through E-Z Rent-A-Car, ACE Rent A Car also has a San Diego location. This service center will rent to an 18-year-old driver for an additional $25.00 per day fee (per the Location Policy page). That may not be viable for a 4-month-long rental, but it looks like this is the only other car rental option in the San Diego area for an 18-year-old driver.
Will I get a surcharge for being 20 years old but i HAVE a military ID?
Hi Tony,
That’s a great question. It sounds like in most cases, the youthful driver surcharge will generally be applied for anyone under the age of 25, regardless of military status. However, if you are a member of USAA (which is an organization specifically for military members and their families), you can get the youthful driver fee waived by renting at Hertz (Avis, Budget, and Enterprise will waive a young driver fee for 21- to 24-year-olds with a USAA membership). Many people have reported that they have been able to get the fee waived even without a debit or credit card through USAA, simply by supplying their USAA account number when making the reservation. I hope this helps!
Hello!
I’m 18 and currently attending Humboldt State and looking to get from Arcata to San Francisco. It will be a one way trip, I was hoping I could pick up at Arcata and drop off in San Francisco. Are there any rental vehicles near me where that is possible?
Hi Rubie,
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find any car rental companies with one-way rentals available in Arcata. Zipcar is affiliated with Humboldt State, but does not allow one-way rentals, so you would need to return the rental in Arcata. The other companies (Rent-a-Wreck, E-Z Rent-A-Car, and ACE) do have locations in San Francisco, but not near Arcata. Sorry I couldn’t bring you better news!
When my son comes home from college, I consider renting a car that I will drive and then loan my car to him. He pays me back for the rental fees and keeps my car’s tank topped off. Win-win as the rental fees that he reimburses me for are far less than he would pay if the contract were under his name.
Hi, I currently serve for the U.S Army with a current Military ID. I am only 20 years old. I will be taking a trip to Los Angeles (LAX) with someone else for one week. The other person turns 21 2 days after we arrive. Will I be able to rent a car or will the other person?
Hi Tony,
Typically, anyone with a military ID can rent a car at age 18. (Thank you for your service!) It’s a good idea to contact the rental car company when you’re ready to make a reservation to verify that policy, but you should be able to rent without a problem. However, your friend will likely not be able to be listed as an additional driver. I hope this helps!
hi , im from the bahamas about to visit miami florida im 18 where can i rent a car?
Hi Ashton,
It looks like E-Z Rent-A-Car has a location at the Miami International Airport that would work for you. From the reservation form on the website, it sounds like you should definitely be able to rent as an 18-year-old driver from this location. ACE Rent A Car also has a location at the Miami airport. Not all ACE locations will rent to someone who’s 18 and the individual policies aren’t published online, but you can call to verify at 877-822-3872 (that’s the ACE at Miami International Airport). Best of luck!
I have been at it for 3 hours trying to find a way to get my son who is 19 from Charlotte NC to Lexington KY this weekend round trip. The bus and train either do not have scheduled service or departure/arrival time that will work and I have not been able to find anyone to rent a car to him. Any insight?
Hi Lisa,
If your son is a college student, he may be able to rent through ZipCar. The company has a number of vehicles available at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. You’ll need to be members with ZipCar in order to make the rental; further details are available on ZipCar’s FAQs page. Unfortunately, this was the only agency I could find in the Charlotte, NC area that would rent to a 19-year-old. Best of luck!
Ok thank you for looking into it! I need something for 4 days and the zipcars are just not cost effective. I could practically fly him for $77/day
I am 18 and want to rent a car in Rexburg ID. Money isn’t an issue. Although I was told I could rent at enterprise, that they have a deal for students? Do you know anything about this? Let me know.
Hi Braden,
I wasn’t able to find any discounts that are specifically for students, although you can find some good deals on Enterprise’s Deals and Promotions page. Enterprise’s official policy is not to rent to Idaho drivers under 21, with the only exception being US government employees (according to Enterprise’s FAQs page) so it may be worth double-checking before you make any commitments.
I’m 19 in Illinois and need to rent a van
Hi Alexis,
E-Z Rent-A-Car has one Illinois location at O’Hare Airport, and they offer minivans and SUVs for rent. Rent-A-Wreck has an Illinois location in Bedford Park, IL (closer to Midway Airport). Zipcar also has quite a few locations in Illinois, all associated with college campuses — so if you’re a university student and you qualify for an under-21 rental, Zipcar may be the best bet. Zipcar’s locations are here. I suggest calling ahead to ask about renting a van specifically, because some places might have vehicle-specific age restrictions for anything above a sedan. Best of luck!
If i sign up for Zipcar in California will i be able to use zipcar in other states lets say Ohio?
Hi Fred,
Yep – once you signup with Zipcar, you have access to any car in their network. Source (second on-page dropdown menu).
I am 18 and from Minnesota I am trying to figure out how to rent to a car to visit a friend but all the companies here don’t like to rent to anyone under 20 is there anyway to get around that situation ?
Thanks !
Hi Ericka,
All tips and tricks for renting a car at 18 have been listed in this article. A common way people believe they can get around this rule is by having an older person rent the vehicle for them. However, this is forbidden as a way of skirting the rules because ALL drivers must adhere to the age requirements. I’m sorry I can’t give you better news!
HI
I’m a student at a University in New York but I hold a California drivers license- Will I count as a resident of New York state?
Hi Nicole,
Good question. Though you must be a permanent resident. In college terms, it’s kind of like going to a school out-of-state. Being physically present isn’t enough to pardon you from out-of-state tuition. You must become a tax paying, honest to goodness resident.
I am 18, with an 18, 19, & 20 year old friend. We want to fly out to Arizona from Virginia, rent a car, and leisurely drive back visiting national parks, etc. en route. Do any of the companies you mention allow for an alternate drop off site?
Hi Heather,
Wise question. Unfortunately it’s a bit of a tall order. If you cross-reference this post with this post you’ll find your answer. I did it (quickly) and I believe ACE Rent a Car is your only possible option.
I’m in jonesboro, at I’m 19 looking for a place that would let me rent a car?
Hi Rene,
Unfortunately, there are no rental car locations in Jonesboro, Arkansas that rent to 19-year-olds. You’ll have to drive to a nearby city which has one of the rental locations that rent to 19+. Sorry I couldn’t bring better news!
Hi, I’d like to rent a car either in LA or SF
Hi Georgia,
You could go with ACE Rent a Car, Zipcar, Rent-A-Wreck or E-Z Rent-A-Car. Since California is such a large market, all of the car rental companies that rent to 18 year olds have locations in California.
Hey I’m Navy active Duty and 19. Ive heard only completely horrible reviews on E-Z. What else is there?
Hi Clayton,
Thank you for your service. If you look again in the beginning of the post, we mention that if you’re in the military, you can rent a car from any rental company at the age of 18. Even if not active. So enjoy the buffet of rental companies!
hi I’m looking to rent a car from Virgina? I’m 18
Hi Tara,
Of the rental companies that rent to 18-year-olds, neither E-Z Rent-A-Car and ACE Rent a Car have locations in Virginia. However, Rent-A-Wreck and Zipcar do have locations in Virginia. The locations are fairly limited so visit each website to make sure there’s a location near you before counting on one or the other.
hi, I’m 18 looking to book either philly, Batimore or Washington.
Hi Taylor,
Go for E-Z.
So I’m 18 and I’m in The US Navy DEP. I have two months before I ship and need to rent a vehicle so that I can have transportation to work and to go where I please…at best with my current wages, renting anything more that $10/day is too much. The only reason I need to rent is because I can’t afford to buy a vehicle, and there is no point in doing so considering I’ll have to sell it or put it on blocks. Other than what has already been said, what can I do?
Hi Seth,
Your price point, not your age, is your limiting factor in this equation. Your only rental car option would be Zipcar but you couldn’t drive the car more than an hour/day (rates vary but an hour is about what $10 can get in most locations). Plus you’ll have the one-time application fee of $25 to factor into the equation. I’m afraid renting a car isn’t really an option for you unless you quickly increase your income. Aim to use a rideshare service, public transit, walking or a cheap/free bicycle if you’re able instead. And you may just not be going many places for the next 2 months. It’ll be okay though your income will shoot up soon.
Good Day,
so I’m on this link
http://firstquarterfinance.com/rent-a-car-at-age-18/#
which sites could I rent a car at 19 years of age.
Hey Kyle,
Fox, Zipcar, Getaround, Sixt (if you’re outside the US), FlightCar, E-Z, Rent-A-Wreck.