There is no easy answer to how old do you have to be to rent a car. The minimum age for renting a car varies from country to country according to local laws. Additionally, different companies within the same country can have varying age minimums for driving. Let's navigate those rules.
How old do you have to be to rent a car?
The minimum age for renting a car depends on the laws of the country you are renting in, but it also varies according to the company you’re renting from and their policy preference.
In the UK, for example, while the minimum age for driving your own car is 17, some car rental companies have chosen to set their lower age limit to drivers who are 21 or 23.
Some companies place different or additional restrictions on younger drivers. Many companies will add a daily surcharge for drivers who are under 25, or some only allow younger drivers to choose from a limited selection of smaller vehicles. In much of Europe, the minimum age for renting a car varies between 18 and 21, while in the USA the minimum age for car rental is generally 21.
What are the age requirements for car rental in different countries?
The minimum age for renting a car abroad varies depending on the regulations of the country you are in. Many countries have set the minimum age for renting a car at 21 years, including Ireland, Greece, the Netherlands, and Australia. Some others allow drivers as young as 18 years to rent cars, for example Italy, Sweden, Germany, and Morocco. A few countries also have set an even older minimum, such as Malaysia, which only allows car rental to customers aged 23 years and over.
Please note that the figures stated in the above are for reference only and may vary. Required age may differ depending on the company you’re renting from. In some countries in the EU, the minimum age may well be 18 years, however, it is very frequently additionally required that the driver(s) in question must have held their license for longer than one year. In the US and Canada, there may also be different provincial or state restrictions depending on where you are. We, therefore, highly recommend that you check well in advance with the rental company to avoid any additional costs or refusal to rent based on age restrictions.
Car rental age requirements in Europe
The minimum age for renting a car in Europe varies between 18 and 21 depending on the country. In the UK for example, the minimum age is set to 21, with some companies such as Enterprise UK even requiring renters to be at least 25 years old. Most European countries do not have a maximum age for car rental. For those that do, the limit can be as low as 70, such as in Bulgaria, or as high as 97, such as in Finland.
Car rental under age 25 – Car rental for young drivers
Young drivers under the age of 25 often have additional conditions they need to satisfy if they want to rent a car. Of course, drivers must have a valid driver’s license. Most car rental companies also require drivers to have held their licenses for at least a year.
In addition to the driver’s license, drivers must bring proof of ID (such as a valid Passport) as well as proof of car insurance and a credit card to pay for the car rental. Overseas, an International Driving Permit might also be required depending on the country.
Some car rental companies require drivers under 25 to take out the car insurance policy that they offer, even if the driver is already covered with an external policy. In some cases, a higher excess fee will also be charged in the event that there is damage to the car.
Many companies also add a daily ‘young driver surcharge’ in addition to the regular rental fee, and some offer a more limited choice of vehicles to drivers under 25.
Frequent questions about car rental age requirement
For most car rental companies, you need to be 21 years old or over to rent out a car in the United Kingdom. Bear in mind that drivers under 25 will also be subject to a so-called ‘young driver surcharge’ when renting.
In order to rent a car in France, you must be 18 years old or over. Please be sure to check well in advance with your provider, as this number is for reference only.
