Updated 14 August 2026
Car rental age requirements catch more travelers off guard than almost any other booking detail, not because the minimum age is a secret, but because the real cost (a daily “young driver” surcharge, often somewhere between twenty and thirty-five dollars extra per day) rarely shows up until checkout. And if you’re on the other end of the age range, a handful of countries apply upper limits too. Here’s what actually applies, by age and by region.
Minimum age and young driver fees (US)
The three largest US rental groups all rent to drivers under 25, but each charges a young driver surcharge for it, and the exact age band and daily fee vary by company.
| Company | Minimum age | Young driver surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | 21 (18 in Michigan & New York) | Roughly twenty-five dollars a day, ages 21-24 |
| Avis | 21 (18 in Michigan & New York) | Roughly thirty-five dollars a day, ages 21-24 (New York: a higher rate for ages 18-20, roughly the same daily rate for 21-24) |
| Hertz | 20 | Roughly nineteen dollars a day, ages 20-24 |
Compare real rental prices, including any young-driver surcharge
Economybookings shows the total price with age-related fees already factored in for most listings, so there’s no surprise at the counter.
Compare rental prices on Economybookings →Ways to reduce or skip the young driver fee
- AAA membership waives Hertz’s young renter fee for members aged 20-24.
- USAA membership waives the fee entirely at Avis, Budget, and Hertz for members aged 18-24.
- Book through a broker that surfaces the fee upfront (like Economybookings above) rather than discovering it at pickup, so you can compare it against a transfer instead of renting at all.
Premium and specialty vehicles often need a higher minimum age
Even once you clear the standard minimum age, some vehicle classes carry their own higher threshold: vans, premium and luxury cars, and convertibles commonly require drivers to be 25 or older, regardless of the company’s general policy. Always check the specific vehicle class’s requirement, not just the company’s headline minimum, before booking.
Upper age limits: mostly a Europe issue
In most of Europe there’s no upper age limit at all: Italy, France, Germany, and Spain don’t restrict older drivers. A handful of countries and smaller local agencies do set a maximum age, usually somewhere in the 70-75 range:
- Ireland: rental agencies commonly bar drivers over 75.
- Romania: agencies commonly bar drivers over 70.
- United Kingdom: some agencies apply an extra fee from age 70, or a maximum age of 69 on certain vehicle classes.
- Croatia: a surcharge (roughly twelve euros a day, capped around sixty euros total) applies for drivers over 70.
The big global groups (Avis/Budget, Enterprise/National/Alamo, Hertz) don’t set a corporate maximum age, but smaller local agencies in Europe can and do, and the restriction is more about which specific agency you book with than which country you’re in. If you’re traveling with an older driver, check the individual agency’s terms before booking, and bring a valid driver’s license, an International Driving Permit for non-EU countries, and a second photo ID.
Ruled out by an age limit? A transfer skips the question entirely
If a rental agency’s age policy rules you out, or the young/senior surcharge makes renting more expensive than it’s worth for a short trip, a pre-booked transfer removes the age question altogether: no vehicle, no rental agreement, no age check.
Check transfer prices on Kiwitaxi →Frequently asked questions
What’s the youngest age I can rent a car at?
Most major US companies rent from 20-21, with a young driver surcharge typically applied up to age 24-25. A few US states (Michigan, New York) allow renting from 18. Always check the specific company and location, since local rules can differ from the corporate policy.
Is there an age limit for renting a car in Europe?
Most of Europe has no upper age limit. A few countries and individual agencies set a maximum, usually around 70-75: Ireland and Romania are the most commonly cited examples. Check the specific rental agency’s terms rather than assuming a country-wide rule.
How much is the young driver fee?
It varies by company and location, but commonly runs somewhere between roughly nineteen and thirty-five dollars per day for drivers under 25 at the major US companies. Fee-waiver programs through AAA or USAA can eliminate it for eligible members.
Do premium or luxury car rentals have a different age requirement?
Often yes: vans, premium cars, and convertibles commonly require drivers to be 25 or older, even if the company’s general minimum age is lower. Check the specific vehicle class’s requirement before booking.
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