Wondering how old you need to be to rent a car in the USA? Most major car rental companies set their minimum rental age at 25 if you want to avoid extra fees. Drivers under 25 can still rent in many cases, but they usually face a “young driver” surcharge. In some states, the minimum rental age can be as low as 18 under special circumstances, often with additional charges. In this article, we’ll explain the rules and exceptions for car rental age in the United States – and how holacarrentals.com offers an exclusive deal allowing 21 to 24-year-olds to rent without paying the young driver surcharge (and even snag a 45% discount).
Why 25 Is the Standard Minimum Rental Age
For decades, 25 years old has been the standard minimum age to rent a car without any extra fees. Rental companies consider drivers under 25 as higher-risk, primarily due to insurance statistics. As a result, if you are 25 or older, you can rent a car from virtually any major U.S. agency without worrying about youth surcharges or special restrictions.
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No Surcharge at 25+: At age 25, you avoid the young driver surcharge that younger renters must pay.
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Full Vehicle Selection: Renters 25 and over generally have access to all vehicle categories, including luxury models and larger SUVs.
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Standard Policy Across Companies: Nearly all major rental car brands in the U.S. follow this rule.
Renting a Car Under 25 (Ages 21–24)
Can you rent a car in the USA if you’re under 25? Yes – but expect to pay extra. Drivers aged 21 to 24 are commonly allowed to rent from most big companies, with an added daily fee known as the young driver surcharge.
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Young Driver Surcharge: This fee can range from $20 to $40 per day, depending on the company and location.
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Minimum Age is Often 21: In most U.S. states, 21 is the minimum age to rent a car.
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Possible Car Category Restrictions: Some agencies restrict under-25 drivers to economy, compact, or intermediate classes.
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Good Driving Record Doesn’t Waive the Fee: Even a clean driving record won’t exempt under-25 drivers from the surcharge.
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Shop Around for Lower Fees: The surcharge varies by company and location – it pays to compare.
Exceptions: Renting at 18 (and Other Special Cases)
In general, major companies don’t rent to drivers younger than 21. But there are a few exceptions:
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Certain States Allow 18+ Rentals: In New York and Michigan, rental companies must allow drivers 18 and older to rent cars. Surcharges in these states are usually higher for younger drivers.
- Insurance Replacement Rentals: Some companies allow 18+ drivers if the rental is covered by insurance.
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Car-Sharing Services: Services like Turo and ZipCar sometimes allow 18-20 year olds with special memberships or university affiliations.
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International Visitors: The same rules apply regardless of your home country. You must meet U.S. state laws and company policies.
How to Avoid Young Driver Fees (Save Money if You’re Under 25)
There are a few ways to avoid or reduce the underage fee:
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Membership Programs: Some programs, like AAA with Hertz, offer underage fee waivers.
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Corporate or University Codes: These may include fee waivers if you're traveling for business or school.
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Alternative Rental Companies: Some smaller brands or services have lower fees or waive them for certain groups.
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Book Through Hola Car Rentals: This is the easiest way for most travelers aged 21-24 to skip the fee entirely.
Hola Car Rentals Exclusive: No Under-25 Fee with Avis & Budget
HolaCarRentals.com offers an exclusive benefit for drivers aged 21 to 24: no young driver surcharge when you book with Avis or Budget through their platform.
Eligible Vehicle Categories:
The waiver applies when renting one of these categories:
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Economy
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Compact
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Intermediate (Mid-size)
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Compact SUV
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Intermediate SUV
These are the most popular and affordable categories, perfect for young travelers or budget-conscious renters.
45% Off Discount Offer
In addition to the fee waiver, Hola Car Rentals is offering up to 45% off your U.S. rental when you book through this special link:
Your booking will include:
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No underage fee (21–24)
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Up to 45% off the rental rate
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Rates that often include taxes, insurance, and free cancellation
Final Thoughts
The minimum age to rent a car in the USA without restrictions is generally 25 years old. Drivers aged 21 to 24 can rent in most states but will usually pay an additional daily fee. A few states like New York and Michigan allow rentals from age 18, but fees are much higher.
Thanks to Hola Car Rentals, drivers aged 21–24 can now rent with Avis and Budget without worrying about the young driver surcharge – and enjoy a major discount too.
Ready to save? Book now through holacarrentals.com and hit the road without the extra cost!
