The standard minimum age to rent a car in the United States and most international destinations is 21 years old, though renters aged 21 to 24 are subject to a mandatory daily “Young Driver Surcharge” averaging $15 to $35 per day. Only drivers aged 25 and older can rent vehicles without young driver fees or car category restrictions. In specific jurisdictions like New York and Michigan, state law requires rental agencies to rent to drivers as young as 18 years old, albeit with significantly higher underage daily surcharges ranging from $34 to over $85 per day.
Rental Age Tiers, Surcharges & Restrictions
Car rental agencies group drivers into specific age tiers based on insurance risk calculations.
| Renter Age Bracket | Rental Eligibility | Average Daily Young Driver Fee | Available Vehicle Classes |
| 18 – 20 Years Old | Restricted (Allowed in NY, MI, military orders, or select peer-to-peer apps) | $34.00 – $85.00+ / day | Compact, Economy, and Intermediate Sedans only |
| 20 Years Old | Allowed at Hertz (nationwide) & select regional brands | $19.00 – $25.00 / day | Economy through Full-Size Sedans, Small SUVs |
| 21 – 24 Years Old | Fully Eligible at standard major rental companies | $15.00 – $35.00 / day | Standard Sedans, Minivans, Pickups, Small/Mid SUVs |
| 25 – 65+ Years Old | Fully Eligible (No age surcharges) | $0.00 / day | Full Fleet Access (Luxury, Sports Cars, Full-Size SUVs) |
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