How old do you have to be to rent a car?

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MrChad

Lifer
Aug 22, 2001
13,507
3
81
Most places I've seen have been 25 and older, but I think it varies from location to location. I rent from Avis for work, and I'm 23. I've seen their warning about the minimum age limit of 25, but I've never had a problem reserving or picking up a car.

Here's what their website says.
 

DT4K

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2002
6,944
3
81
AFAIK, there is nobody who will rent to you under the age of 18.

Enterprise will rent to people 18 and older, though they charge an extra fee if you are under 25. I'm also not sure if they have the same policy nationwide or only in certain states. But I think they are the only national company that will rent to an 18 year old.
 

yukichigai

Diamond Member
Apr 23, 2003
6,404
0
76
It's pretty much 25 all around. Some places will rent to you if you're 18 and over, but only with massive amounts of extra insurance purchased. Some places the cutoff for that extra insurance is 21. Some places may not rent to someone under 25 but will let them drive a car rented by a parent or someone who is 25 or older. Again, with expensive insurance purchased.

Keep in mind that some states have laws in place that mandate an age cutoff of 25. Texas is one such state. You cannot rent or drive a rented car in Texas if you are under the age of 25. The only exemption is if you are in the military, on active duty and over 18. Even then they'll only rent you a vehicle if it is a necessity to get to a military base, or wherever your superiors have instructed you to go.
 

DT4K

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2002
6,944
3
81
Originally posted by: bmacd
25 to rent a car here in MI

-=bmacd=-

Nope.

From Hertz:

Michigan
For ages 18-21 - Hertz will rent to customers between the ages
of 18-21 years at all corporate locations in the State of
Michigan. In addition to the base rental rate, an Underage
Liabilty Charge of USD 41.00 per day will be assessed on
rentals to this age group.
For ages 22-24 - Hertz will rent to customers between the ages
of 22-24 years at all corporate locations in the State of
Michigan. In addition to the base rental rate, an Underage
Liability Charge of USD 17.00 per day will be assessed on
rentals to this age group.

EDIT: of course all this is irrelevant because he is not even going to be 18 yet and I don't know of anyone who will rent a car to a 17 year old.
 

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
I know Florida, Georgia, North Carrolina and New York were 21, I haven't obviously checked all places, but most are 21 to rent.
 

DaiShan

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2001
9,617
1
0
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Originally posted by: Anubis
23 and have a major credit card in your own name

I know a lot of places around here do that.... thats such bs.... WHY??? we all know that age is the biggest determiner of maturity... if I carry enough insurance to replace a 911turbo (and I do 1.1million in total coverage + collision)... why cant I rent one?

Because you can run up more damage than that if you say drove it through a school or something. Maturity isn't the biggest factor here, experience is. I'm 19 and a good driver although I've done some very stupid things (140 in a 35 comes to mind) I thought at the time I could handle it, but now I'm like wtf?! besides if money is no object to your friend just buy the car...unless it really is an object and he only has enough to rent for one day, in which case he prolly couldn't afford to buy it if he broke it heh.
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
In Canada it is or was 21 in most cases. In the US I found a lot of places wouldn't rent if you were under 25, and in some cases where they would they charged you quite a bit more.