The Golden State, with its awe-inspiring beauty and diverse landscapes, is a popular travel destination. Hiring a car has become the most sought-after transportation solution for exploring this third-largest US state with complete freedom and flexibility. Although there might be certain guidelines and prerequisites for renting a vehicle it isn’t as complicated as it may seem. The car rental age is one of the most crucial factors to consider when planning your itinerary and in this article, we will examine the minimum age requirements, young driver policies, and key considerations to ensure a smooth and easy car rental experience.
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Minimum Car Rental Age California
It is a common misconception that you must be 25 years or older to become eligible for car hire. However, to rent a car in California, drivers aged 21 and above are eligible. A few rental companies may also allow drivers as young as 18 (with a minimum of 2 years of driving experience) to rent a vehicle in specific locations across the state. However, a Young Driver Surcharge/Underage Fee will be applied by the rental company.
What is Young Driver Fee?
A young driver/underage fee is implemented primarily to safeguard the vehicles from potential accidents. This fee compensates the rental car company for the extra risk of accidents when young renters ( under 25) drive their cars. This charge varies based on the rental company, vehicle type and pick-up location. Usually the underage drivers don’t have to worry about paying anything extra at the rental desk as the charge is included in the final rental price.
Top California Car Hire Companies for Under-25 Rental
Many international and domestic car rental companies have branches spread throughout California, offering travelers the convenience of planning their pick-up and drop-off with ease. Different rental companies have different policies regarding age restrictions and requirements. Compare the car rental age policies among rental companies by reviewing the terms and conditions to select the most suitable option. Here is the list of top-rated companies that allow drivers under 25 to rent a car across most locations in California.
Ace- Alamo
- Dollar
- Enterprise
- Fox
- Hertz
- National
- Sixt
- Thrifty
Young Driver Fee in California
If you’re wondering how much the young driver fee is for car rental in California, we’re here to simplify it for you. The amount for the young driver surcharge differs based on your chosen car rental company, vehicle type, and rental duration, hence it is worth researching multiple companies at once to select the most suitable option. The fee is calculated on a per-day basis and is added to the final rental prices automatically.
Minimum Age to Rent a Car in California – Comparison of Rental Companies
| Rental Car Company | Minimum Age | Estimated Young Driver Fee | Points to Remember |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | 21 | $25–$30/day | Young renters can hire most compact, standard, and full-size cars |
| Ace | 18 (select locations) | $15–$25/day | Renters 18+ can rent compact and standard-sized cars along with SUVs and minivans |
| Enterprise | 21 | $25–$30/day | Young renters might be limited to renting standard, economy, compact vehicles |
| Europcar | 21 | $20–$30/day | Young driver surcharge is applicable for all drivers under 26 |
| Fox | 21 | $25–$28/day | Those under 25 are limited to most standard cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs |
| Hertz | 20 (select locations) | $19–$29/day | Limitations for 20+ on hiring full-sized, premium, intermediate cars |
| National | 21 | $25–$30/day | Age restrictions are applicable for hiring vehicles from larger groups |
| Sixt | 21 | $25–$30/day | Drivers 21+ can rent standard, economy, compact vehicles |
| Dollar/Thrifty | 20-21 | $29–$35/day | Age limits apply for larger/premium vehicle groups |
| Avis | 21 | $20–$30/day | Young drivers excluded from renting specialty and larger vehicles |
*The young driver/underage fee is subject to change without any prior notice. Please check the supplier-specific terms and conditions for more details.
Key Takeaways
Popular Locations for Car Rentals in California for Drivers 21+
The minimum age to rent a car in California can significantly vary based on your pickup location. While airport car rentals are a popular choice due to the added convenience and availability of more suppliers, downtown, train stations, hotels, and other locations may offer more options for companies that provide deals for drivers under 25. Hence, it’s worth shopping around and reviewing different car rental locations to find the best car rental deals for under-25s. Here is the compiled list of places in California where drivers between the age group of 18-25 can hire cars:
What do you need to rent a car under 25?
To ensure a successful vehicle pick-up, it is mandatory to carry with you all the necessary documentation. Please note that you must present the original documents as the rental company does not accept printouts, photocopies or digital images. You will typically need the following documents:
FAQs – Car Rental Age Requirements in California
Can you rent a car at 18 in California?
Generally, all major car rental companies in California require renters to be atleast 20 or 21 years old. However, there might be a few companies willing to rent cars to drivers 18 years old or above in specific circumstances. Higher restrictions or fees may apply to those renting a car at 18 at most locations in California. It is advised to enter the correct age in the booking form while conducting a search query to check whether you are eligible to hire a car as an 18 year old.
Do all car rental companies in California charge a young driver fee?
Most car rental companies levy a young driver surcharge on drivers under 25 planning to hire a car in California. However, the young driver fee might be waived off in certain circumstances, subject to the rental company’s terms and conditions. It is advised to carefully review the Rental Terms section, as car rental companies extending their services in California have different sets of terms and conditions concerning age criteria.
Which car categories are available for under 25 car rental in California?
In California, young renters can generally rent economy, compact, mid-size, and full-size cars, compact SUVs, and minivans; however those under 25 might be excluded from hiring luxury and speciality vehicles by some suppliers. The instructions regarding the same will be stated in detail in the supplier specific Rental Terms section. While conducting an online search on our platform, enter the right age to view all car categories made available by suppliers for young drivers.
Is an International Driver’s License required for under 25 car rental in California?
Renters under 25 whose domestic driver’s license is printed in Roman alphabet can easily rent a car in California. However, Young drivers with driver’s licenses issued in non-Latin characters i.e. if the license is in Arabic, Greek, Russian or Chinese, etc, will need to present an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to their DL at the car rental desk for successful pick-up. Carefully review the terms and conditions of your chosen car rental company to verify the documentation required during vehicle collection as the supplier might refuse the handover of the rental car in case of insufficient documentation.
Final Thoughts
Renting a car when you are an underage driver can be a bit tricky and pricey, but it certainly shouldn’t limit your travel experience. Our reliable booking engine makes it easy to rent a car when you’re 25 or under, allowing you to travel to almost anywhere in California. Wanting to go on a road trip or a vacation with a car we have got you covered. Discover the widest selection of rental vehicles available for hire to those under 25 when making a reservation through our secure platform. Make an online reservation with us today and secure the best car rental deals for your trip to California.
