Car rental companies have some of the most blatant age discrimination policies of any industry in the United States. Young people under the age of 21 are not allowed to rent vehicles from most major car rental companies. Along with this, younger drivers (usually under 25) must pay extra fees simply because of their age, and face additional restrictions, such as being barred from renting certain vehicles. These policies are discriminatory, and should be abolished. Young people deserve the privilege to rent vehicles just as adults can, and should be judged on the content of their character, rather than the immutable factor of their age. Business discrimination against young adults should not be tolerated, and treated like any other form of discrimination against a demographic.
In this webpage, the National Youth Rights Association explains age restrictions on car rentals, ways that young adults year olds can still rent cars, why young people should be allowed to rent vehicles, and how we can fix this problem.
Table of Contents
- Age Restrictions on Car Rentals from Major Companies
- Which Companies Allow 18 year olds to Rent Cars?
- State Laws preventing Age Discrimination in Car Renting
- Court Cases around Age Discrimination in Vehicle Renting
- Why Young People Should be Allowed to Rent Vehicles
- How do we fix the Car Rental Age Problem?
The National Youth Rights Association
If you’re interested in Youth Rights, consider volunteering with us. We are always looking for new members and would love to have you on board. If you have a personal story to share, about being denied car rental due to your age, or about a general youth rights violation, consider sending us an email at nyra@youthrights.org. We’d love to help get your story out to the world.
Age Restrictions on Car Rentals from Major Companies
Enterprise Rent-A-Car – Enterprise Rent‑A‑Car generally requires renters to be at least 21 years old in most U.S. locations. Drivers between 21 and 24 can rent but must pay a “young renter” surcharge, and they may be restricted from renting certain vehicle types such as luxury cars or large SUVs.
- Young driver fee: About $25 per day for drivers aged 21–24.
- Restrictions: Young drivers may only rent standard vehicle classes such as economy, compact, mid-size, or full-size cars. High-end vehicles and specialty models are usually restricted to drivers 25 or older.
Alamo Rent A Car – Alamo Rent A Car has a minimum rental age of 21 in most locations in the United States. Drivers aged 21 – 24 can rent but must pay a “youthful renter” surcharge and may be limited to certain vehicle categories.
- Young driver fee: Approximately $25 per day for drivers aged 21–24.
- Restrictions: Young renters typically cannot rent luxury vehicles or specialty models and are usually limited to standard car classes such as compact, intermediate, or standard vehicles.
National Car Rental – National Car Rental, which is owned by the same parent company as Enterprise and Alamo, generally follows similar policies. The typical minimum age is 21 years old, with additional daily fees and vehicle restrictions for renters under 25.
- Young driver free: about $25 per day in many U.S. locations. The exact amount varies by location, but $25/day is commonly listed.
- In places where younger rentals are required by law, the surcharge is higher
- Ages 18–20: about $64.75 per day
- Ages 21–24: about $30.75 per day
- Vehicles that young drivers generally cannot rent include: Luxury vehicles, Exotic cars, specialty or premium vehicles and large SUVs or specialty collections.
Hertz – Hertz typically allows renters starting at age 20 in most U.S. locations, which is slightly lower than some competitors. Drivers under 25 must pay a young driver surcharge and are often prohibited from renting specialty vehicles such as luxury models.
- Young driver fee: Typically around $19–$29 per day depending on location.
- Restrictions: Drivers under 25 often cannot rent premium vehicles, luxury cars, or specialty models.
Dollar Rent A Car – Dollar Rent A Car generally requires renters to be at least 20 years old in most states. Drivers under 25 pay an additional daily young driver fee and may have restrictions on certain vehicle classes.
- Young driver fee: The surcharge varies by location but is generally around $20–$25 per day.
- Restrictions: Young renters are usually restricted to standard vehicles such as economy or mid-size cars and may be barred from luxury or specialty vehicles
Thrifty Car Rental – Thrifty Car Rental typically allows rentals starting at age 20 in most U.S. locations. Renters aged 20–24 must pay a young driver surcharge and may not be allowed to rent certain specialty vehicles.
- Young driver fee: Drivers under 25 must pay a Young Renter Fee, typically around $25 per day.
- Restrictions: Similar to Dollar (its sister company), young drivers may not be able to rent high-value or specialty vehicles.
Avis – Avis Car Rental requires renters to be 21 years old in most states. Drivers under 25 are charged an underage renter fee and may face limitations on vehicle categories.
- Young driver fee: Around $27 per day in many locations.
- Restrictions: Renters under 25 may face limits on luxury vehicles, large SUVs, and specialty vehicles.
Budget – Budget Rent a Car also generally requires renters to be 21 or older, with a daily surcharge applied to drivers between 21 and 24.
- Young driver fee: About $27 per day for drivers aged 21–24.
- Restrictions: Young drivers are typically limited to basic vehicle categories such as compact, intermediate, and standard vehicles.
SIXT – Sixt typically requires renters to be 21 years old in most U.S. locations. Younger drivers may still rent but must pay a young driver fee and may face restrictions on certain vehicle types. Luxury or premium vehicles usually require drivers to be at least 25.
- Young driver fee: A Young Driver Surcharge applies for drivers under 25, with the amount depending on location and vehicle type. The exact amount is not listed on the website.
- Restrictions: Drivers under 25 are typically limited to economy, compact, midsize, SUV, and minivan vehicles and cannot rent luxury or exotic vehicles.
- If you’re a student, you may be eligible for an exclusive discount to help save on your trip.
Which Companies Allow 18 year olds to Rent Cars?
If you are a young person under 21 who needs to rent a vehicle, your options are limited. Most airports have built in car rental sections for travelers, but only partner with larger, national car rental companies, which as we discussed, usually limit their customers’ age to 21 and above. This means that you’d need to look for other alternatives.
Turo – Turo is a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform (often described as “Airbnb for cars”) where individuals rent out their personal vehicles. In the United States, drivers can rent a car on Turo starting at age 18, although there are restrictions on certain vehicles and young driver fees may apply. Because it is not a traditional rental counter company, Turo is one of the most widely used options for 18- to 20-year-old drivers. However Turo does have certain age limitations. According to their website, you must be “21 and older to book a vehicle with a total market value of more than $20k, 25 and older to book a Deluxe Class vehicle and 30 and older to book a Super Deluxe Class, classic, or specialty vehicle.”
Zipcar – Zipcar is a car-sharing service where members reserve cars by the hour or day. The normal minimum age is 21, but students at participating universities and some special membership programs can use Zipcar starting at age 18. This makes it one of the few services where younger drivers can access vehicles regularly in certain situations.
U-Haul – U‑Haul allows customers to rent trucks and cargo vans starting at age 18. While it is not a traditional passenger-car rental company, it is one of the largest vehicle rental companies in the U.S. that consistently rents to 18-year-olds. Many young drivers use U-Haul vans or pickup trucks when they need temporary transportation.
Smaller or local rental companies – Some smaller regional rental companies occasionally rent cars to drivers starting at 18, though policies vary widely by location. For example, companies like Ok Rent A Car advertise rentals specifically for 18-year-old drivers in certain cities. However, these businesses are usually local operations rather than nationwide chains.
When traveling, do your own research on local and smaller rental companies in the area. These smaller companies tend to have less strict regulations than national companies.
State Laws preventing Age Discrimination in Car Renting
New York
New York General Business Law §391-g, makes it unlawful for rental companies to refuse service to a licensed driver who is 18 years of age or older solely because of their age, as long as insurance coverage is available. This means companies operating in the state must allow renters who are at least 18, although they are allowed to charge additional “young driver” surcharges or impose restrictions on certain vehicle types. As a result, New York is one of the few states where teenagers legally have the right to rent cars, even though the fees for drivers under 25 can be significantly higher.
Michigan
Michigan has a similar legal framework, the Elliot Larson Civil Rights act, which effectively requires rental companies to allow drivers 18 and older to rent vehicles. Because of this state rule, many major rental companies list Michigan alongside New York as an exception to their usual minimum age requirements. While the minimum rental age in most US states is typically 21 or older, companies must accept renters who are at least 18 in Michigan, though they may still charge higher daily surcharges and limit vehicle categories for younger drivers.
These two states have taken steps to reduce age discrimination from businesses, and more states should follow in their footsteps.
Court Cases around Age Discrimination in Vehicle Renting
People v. Alamo Rent A Car – This is one of the most important court cases involving car-rental age restrictions. The New York Attorney General sued several rental companies, including Alamo, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Enterprise, Dollar, and Thrifty, for refusing to rent cars to drivers under age 25. The case focused on New York General Business Law §391-g, which prohibits rental companies from refusing to rent vehicles to people 18 or older solely because of age if insurance coverage is available. The New York Court of Appeals ruled that insurance for young drivers was available through the New York Automobile Insurance Plan, meaning companies could not use the lack of insurance as a justification for refusing rentals. The decision effectively confirmed that rental companies in New York must rent to drivers 18 and older, although they can charge higher insurance costs or surcharges.
Sosne v. Hertz – A smaller but interesting case involved a 24-year-old law student who sued Hertz after the company refused to rent her a car because she was under 25. She argued that the policy violated the D.C. Human Rights Act, which prohibits age discrimination. The court awarded her a small judgment of $101, recognizing that the refusal violated the law.
This one is especially interesting, because the state that this occurred in, Washington DC, has a specific act which prohibits discrimination based on age (defining age as “18 years old or older”). Meaning that businesses restricting services to people over 18 is considered discrimination and therefore violates the state law. Even though the court ruled that the car rental company violated state law with its discriminatory policies, they did not force the company to change its discriminatory policies. This means that Hertz has been explicitly found in violation of state law and its continuing to operate with illegal discrimination policies.
According to the article, “Because the case was a small-claims matter, [the judge] could not order Hertz to change its policy or rent a car to Sosne. He could only order the company to pay damages, which he assessed at $101.”
New York Attorney General Age-Discrimination Lawsuit Against Rental Companies – Before the People v. Alamo decision reached the state’s highest court, the New York Attorney General filed a large lawsuit against multiple companies, Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Enterprise, Alamo, Dollar, and Thrifty, for refusing to rent vehicles to drivers under 25. The suit sought penalties and injunctions to stop the practice. The litigation ultimately led to the ruling that the companies had violated the New York law prohibiting age-based rental discrimination.
Why Young People Should be Allowed to Rent Vehicles
Age restrictions on car rentals can create significant barriers for young people who need temporary transportation for work, education, or emergencies. These restrictions can limit their ability to travel independently, especially in parts of the United States where public transportation is limited. For example, a college student who needs to travel several hours for an internship interview or a temporary job may find themselves unable to rent a car even though they have a valid driver’s license and driving experience. Without access to a rental vehicle, they may have to rely on expensive ride-share services, inconvenient bus routes, or asking friends and family for help.
These restrictions can also create difficult situations when young people face emergencies or unexpected travel needs. Imagine a 19-year-old college student whose parent becomes seriously ill in another city. If the student does not own a car and cannot rent one because of age restrictions, their ability to travel quickly to see their family may be severely limited. Similarly, a young worker who needs transportation after their own vehicle breaks down may be unable to get to work if they cannot rent a temporary replacement car. In rural areas where ride-sharing services are scarce and public transit is minimal, this lack of access to rental vehicles can make it especially difficult for young adults to maintain employment or handle urgent situations.
Allowing young people to rent cars can significantly improve their ability to travel independently and participate more fully in work, education, and everyday responsibilities. Many young adults, especially those between 18 and 24, may not own a car but still need temporary transportation for important purposes such as attending job interviews, commuting to work, traveling to college, or visiting family. Rental vehicles can provide a flexible transportation option in situations where public transportation is unavailable or impractical, particularly in suburban or rural areas where many jobs and services are difficult to reach without a car.
Access to rental vehicles can also benefit young people who are traveling. College students and young workers often need transportation when visiting a different city for internships, conferences, school trips, or relocation. Allowing younger drivers to rent cars can also promote economic opportunities. Many young adults work in industries that require travel or temporary transportation, such as gig work, delivery services, field research, or temporary job assignments in other cities. Rental access makes it easier for young people to take advantage of these opportunities and gain work experience. Additionally, when rental companies allow young drivers to rent vehicles, often with additional insurance or surcharges, it can expand the customer base for the companies while giving young adults more mobility and independence as they transition into adulthood.
How do we fix the Car Rental Age Problem?
This article by the Washington Post analyzes several perspectives of age discrimination in car renting:
“Hagr Elweshahy, an 18-year-old senior in high school, is interning for a technology company in Linden, N.J., and needed to rent a car to attend a week-long convention. Elweshahy is a straight-A student and on track to be class valedictorian. But no rental company will rent her a vehicle.
“They explained that as nice and as responsible as I seem, statistically there is simply a higher probability of me getting into an accident because of my age,” she says.
“Generally, age restrictions exist because young drivers are less experienced, take more unnecessary risks behind the wheel and are involved in more avoidable accidents,” says Narendra Khatri, principal of Insubuy, a travel insurance company. “This drives insurance rates up and makes it financially prudent for the rental company to set a lower age limit on rentals.”
Young drivers are a risk that car rental companies don’t want to take on, says Simon Mawdsley, co-director of Grand Prix Grand Tours, which offers driving holidays across Europe in exotic sports cars. He won’t rent to anyone younger than 28. He told me that, although there may be young drivers who are responsible, it’s too difficult to screen them.”
These quotes are important, because they illustrate the exact root of the issue. Car rental companies refuse to make their policies based on the context of an individual, and instead choose to institute these discriminatory policies because it’s the easy way out for their insurance. Even if young people in general are less experienced drivers, and therefore more likely to cause accidents, this should not be a reason to restrict all young people from being able to rent a vehicle. Simply put, you should pay for what you actually do, not what people say you might do.
No other demographic is completely restricted from driving privileges in the same way, even if statistics show that they are more dangerous drivers. For example, male drivers account for around 72% of all traffic fatalities in the United States, while women account for about 28%. In one set of statistics, male drivers were involved in 39,112 fatal crashes compared with 12,938 for female drivers. Researchers say this difference is partly because men tend to drive more miles and engage in riskier driving behaviors, such as speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol.
Therefore, by the car rental companies’ own logic, men are more of a risk, and should therefore also be banned from renting cars because they would be more likely to drive recklessly and get in a fatal accident. However, car rental companies only discriminate against young people, since that is the only socially acceptable demographic which businesses can discriminate against. This type of business discrimination is wrong, and should be viewed on the same level of unacceptability as preventing an entire race or gender from renting a vehicle.
Instead of looking at demographic factors, car rental companies should focus on the context of an individual. For example, the 18 year old in the interview, Hagr Elweshahy, was a straight A student and on track to be the valedictorian. The amount of work that goes into maintaining grades like that is immense. In order to obtain that level of academic achievement, students have to exhibit high levels of personal responsibility, risk management and self discipline. All of these qualities would also directly result in someone being a safer driver, as well as being a good student. Most reasonable people would agree that an 18 year old straight A student without any history of a negative disciplinary record in school would be a safe individual to rent a car to, even though car rental companies ignore this context.
The ideal solution to this problem is for the United States is to pass a national law, similar to New York’s, specifically prohibiting age discrimination in car renting, and hopefully, all businesses. From there, the car rental companies can decide what contextual factors they look at. So what should car rental companies analyze in order to determine if a young person is worth the risk? Well there are several factors that can be looked at. Looking at driving records should be the first and foremost step for car rental companies. If a young person has never gotten in a reported accident, then they are likely to be a safe driver, and are trustworthy to rent a vehicle to. However, many young people do not have an extensive driving record, since they are new to driving, so other factors may need to be considered. School records would be the most consistent to look at, since all young people were required to be in some form of education during their adolescence. If a young person had good grades, and lacked a problematic disciplinary record, then they are likely to be responsible, have good self discipline, and will therefore drive safer. Along with this, background checks can be useful for this process as well. If a young person has never had a run-in with the police, and never been charged with any crime, then they are likely to be safe and responsible as well.
Now of course, there are flaws in this plan. Young people’s privileges, and ability to purchase services from a company should never be directly tied to their academic achievement, or disciplinary record, especially because of excessive policing and punishment within schools. However, basing the decision off of actual contextual factors rather than just age is still a step in the right direction.
Immutable factors, such as age, race, gender, etc, shouldn’t even be allowed to be considered in the proceedings of vehicle rentals, or within any service that a business can provide.
