Quick Summary:
- Expect a daily young-driver surcharge, often added at pick-up for 20-year-olds.
- Most firms restrict vehicle classes, usually excluding premium, luxury, and large SUVs.
- Bring a full licence, extra ID, and match cardholder to driver.
- Plan for higher deposits, limited payment types, and optional cover rules.
If you are 20 and arranging car hire in California, you are in the “young driver” bracket for most major rental desks. California allows rentals to under-25s, but companies manage their risk through surcharges, tighter vehicle eligibility, and stricter payment and documentation checks. The exact rules vary by brand, airport, and sometimes even by franchise operator, so it helps to know what is commonly applied before you arrive at the counter.
This guide explains the young-driver fees you can expect at 20, the types of cars you may or may not be able to take, and the documents and payment rules that often trip people up. Where you are collecting matters too, desks at busy hubs can be more process-driven and less flexible on exceptions.
Are 20-year-olds allowed to rent a car in California?
In general, yes. Many large brands will rent to drivers aged 20 in California, but they usually treat it as an exception to their standard minimum age (often 21 or 25). That is why you will commonly see an additional young-driver surcharge, plus exclusions on higher-value vehicles. Some operators may refuse entirely at 20 at certain locations, or they may only permit rentals in specific categories.
If you are comparing options across the state, it can help to look at location-specific pages that reflect the kind of fleets and desk policies you will meet at different airports, for example Thrifty at Los Angeles LAX or National at Sacramento SMF.
Young-driver fees at 20: what you will typically pay
For car hire at 20, the key cost driver is the young-driver surcharge (sometimes labelled “underage fee” or “young renter fee”). It is usually charged per day and added on top of the base rate. The amount can differ widely by company and location, and it may be subject to local taxes and fees.
Common patterns you may see:
Daily surcharge: A flat fee per rental day is typical, often with a maximum cap per rental. The cap is important, because longer rentals can otherwise become disproportionately expensive.
Applied at the desk: Even when your booking summary shows an estimated total, the desk often recalculates the final amount based on age and local fee schedules. Make sure you have budget flexibility on the payment card for any additional charges.
Different fees for 20 vs 21 to 24: Some brands charge more at 20 than at 21 to 24, because 20 may be treated as a stricter exception category.
Extra driver fees: Adding another driver under 25 can trigger additional daily fees on top of the young-driver surcharge, depending on the operator.
When checking prices, it is smart to compare the overall cost including the likely surcharge rather than focusing on the headline daily rate. If you are collecting at Southern California airports, you may want to compare what is available via car rental at Santa Ana SNA against larger hubs where fleets and rules can feel more rigid.
Vehicle-class restrictions: what you can and cannot hire at 20
At age 20, vehicle eligibility is usually the next major limitation after the surcharge. Rental companies manage risk by restricting access to vehicles that are expensive to repair, attractive theft targets, or more likely to be involved in high-severity accidents.
Although each brand’s matrix differs, these restrictions are common for 20-year-olds:
Often allowed: Economy, compact, intermediate, and standard cars. Basic small SUVs and some midsize SUVs may be permitted if they are common fleet vehicles.
Often restricted: Premium and luxury models, sports cars, convertibles, full-size SUVs, passenger vans, and specialty vehicles. Some desks also restrict EVs or high-powered trims for young drivers, depending on the fleet.
“Or similar” matters: Your reservation is typically for a class, not a specific model. If the class you booked is restricted for your age on the day, the desk may only offer you a downgrade to an allowed class, sometimes with a price adjustment, sometimes without if the booking terms allow substitution.
Vans and people carriers: If you need a van in California, check minimum-age rules carefully. Many operators set higher age limits for larger vehicles, and 20 may simply be unavailable. If you are researching options around Los Angeles, you can review fleet-focused availability via van rental in California LAX, while keeping in mind that young-driver eligibility may still exclude certain sizes.
To avoid surprises, aim for a mainstream class that is widely available and commonly allowed for young drivers. In practice, that often means economy through standard, plus selected small SUVs.
Documents you will need at the counter
For car hire in California at 20, bring more documentation than you think you will need. Desks can be strict, and if any element does not match the reservation, the agent may refuse the rental.
Driving licence: A full, valid driving licence in the primary driver’s name is required. Many companies also require the licence to have been held for a minimum period, commonly one year. Temporary or paper licences can be refused.
Passport or government ID: A passport is commonly requested for international visitors, while US residents may use a state ID alongside a licence. The goal is to validate identity beyond the licence.
International Driving Permit (IDP): Not always required, but it can be requested if your licence is not in English or does not use Latin characters. If you are visiting from abroad, having an IDP can reduce friction at pick-up.
Reservation name matching: The name on the booking, the driving licence, and the payment card should match. Small differences can cause delays, especially for young renters where staff follow checklists carefully.
Age verification: Your date of birth must be clearly visible in your documentation. If an ID is expired or damaged, expect the desk to decline it.
Payment rules and deposits: the part that varies most by desk
Payment and deposit policies are where many 20-year-old renters get caught out. Even within the same brand, airport locations can apply different rules depending on local risk controls and fraud prevention settings.
Credit card versus debit card: A credit card in the main driver’s name is the safest option. Some desks accept debit cards, but under-25 acceptance can be narrower, may require extra ID, and can involve larger deposits or additional checks.
Deposit amounts: Expect a security deposit hold on your card. Young-driver status can increase the deposit, and higher vehicle classes also increase it. The hold reduces your available credit until it is released, which can take days after return.
Prepaid bookings: If you pay in advance online, the desk still usually requires a card for the deposit and any add-ons. If the deposit card is declined or does not meet policy, prepayment does not guarantee the car.
Cardholder must be present: The person whose name is on the card generally must be present and be the primary renter. Using a parent’s card while you are the driver often fails at the counter, even if you are both there, because the rental agreement needs a clear liable party.
Billing address and verification: Some desks verify ZIP code or billing address. If your bank blocks the authorisation, you may need to contact them while at the counter.
Because these checks vary, choose a location where you can more easily plan around known desk processes. For Northern California travellers, comparing pick-up at Sacramento airport SMF with other hubs can help you judge what type of inventory and policies you are likely to face.
Insurance and waivers: what changes when you are 20
Young-driver rules can intersect with insurance in a few ways. The desk will usually offer optional products like a damage waiver (often called CDW or LDW) and supplemental liability. Whether you need them depends on what cover you already have and what the rental terms require.
Proof of existing cover: If you plan to rely on an external policy or card benefits, the desk typically does not accept a screenshot as “proof”. Even when you have cover, the rental company may still require a deposit and may still place restrictions on the car class.
Higher risk perception: Some brands are more insistent that young drivers take certain cover, or they may explain it more forcefully at the counter. The key is to understand what is included in your rate and what is optional before you arrive.
Claims handling: If something goes wrong, young drivers are not treated differently in the contract, but the financial exposure can be larger if you have a higher deposit, no waiver, or a restricted card limit.
If you are unsure, read the rental terms carefully and consider the total worst-case cost you could be responsible for, not only the daily price.
Other restrictions that commonly apply to 20-year-old renters
Beyond fees, vehicle class, and payment rules, a few practical restrictions appear more often for young drivers:
Additional driver eligibility: If you want to share driving, the additional driver usually must meet the same minimum age. Adding another 20-year-old can increase daily charges.
One-way rentals: One-way may be limited for young drivers, or it may trigger extra approval steps and fees.
Cross-border travel: Driving into Mexico is usually prohibited, and travel rules can be stricter for young renters. If you plan longer road trips, check permitted states and any mileage rules.
Late-night arrivals: If your flight arrives late, a strict desk may not “hold” a car class that you are eligible for. Arriving earlier can improve your chances of getting an allowed class without hassle.
How to reduce surprises when hiring at 20
You cannot remove all young-driver restrictions, but you can reduce the odds of a counter refusal or unexpected cost increase.
Choose a mainstream car class: Aim for economy through standard, or a small SUV that is clearly common. Avoid anything that sounds premium, sporty, or specialised.
Bring the right payment method: Use a credit card in your own name with enough available limit for the rental charge plus deposit and any young-driver fees.
Carry extra ID: A second form of ID can speed up verification. If you are an international visitor, an IDP can help if your licence format is unfamiliar.
Keep names consistent: Make sure the booking name matches your licence exactly, including middle names if they appear on the licence.
Read location terms: Airport desks can vary. Reviewing the pick-up location page you intend to use can highlight whether the fleet and operator tend to cater to younger renters.
FAQ
How much is the young-driver fee for car hire in California at 20? It varies by company and location, but it is usually a per-day surcharge added at pick-up, sometimes with a maximum cap for longer rentals.
Can I hire an SUV or a van in California at 20? Some small SUVs may be allowed, but many desks restrict full-size SUVs and most vans for under-21 or under-25 drivers, depending on the operator and fleet.
Do I need a credit card, or will a debit card work at age 20? A credit card in the main driver’s name is the most widely accepted. Debit card acceptance can be more limited for young drivers and may require higher deposits and extra checks.
What documents should I bring to the rental desk? Bring your full driving licence, a passport or government ID, and consider an International Driving Permit if your licence is not in English or uses non-Latin characters.
Will the desk refuse my rental if the payment card is in someone else’s name? Often yes. Most rental desks require the cardholder to be the primary renter, and the name must match the reservation and driving licence.
