Minimum and Maximum Ages for Renting a Car

Last updated March 11, 2024 | When you search for a rental car on our site, you’ll see a checkbox pre-selected for the question “Driver’s age between 25 and 69?” If you fall outside those limits, you’ll need to uncheck that box, and we’ll ask you for your exact age. Age limits simply apply in the car rental industry: a minimum age and a maximum age. We don’t set these limits; they’re determined by the various car rental companies. These rules vary not only by company but also by country and sometimes depend on the type of car you want to rent. It’s quite complicated, but there are a few rules of thumb that almost always apply, and we’ve outlined them below.

You're under 25 and want to rent a car

First, we ask you to enter your exact age. This refers to how old you’ll be when you start driving the rental car. So if your birthday falls between the time you book and the time you pick up the rental car, enter the higher age. You’ll then only see cars that are available for your age group. If you’re between 21 and 25 years old, the selection is hardly any smaller than for older drivers. However, you’ll see the phrase “Young driver surcharge included” listed for many of the rental cars offered. Virtually all car rental companies charge a surcharge. Not because they enjoy doing so, but because they’re often required to do so by their insurance company. You can see how much the surcharge is in the price breakdown for the car you want to rent. Please note: you don’t pay the surcharge when you book, but on-site when you pick up the rental car.

Renting a Car If You’re Under 21

While most car rental companies do charge a surcharge for young drivers, they generally don’t make a big deal out of it if you’re 21 or older. The situation is different if you’re under 21 (in some rare cases, the age limit is 23). Quite a few car rental companies refuse to rent to customers under that age limit. Fortunately, not all companies are so strict, and you can still find a nice car for your vacation—even if you’re between 18 and 21 years old. However, the selection of rental cars for that age group is smaller, so it’s important to book well in advance. Here, too, you’ll have to pay the young driver surcharge on-site.

How long do you need to have held a driver’s license to rent a car?

Almost without exception, you must have held your driver’s license for at least one year; otherwise, you won’t be able to rent the car. In rare cases (such as with very luxury cars), you must have held your driver’s license for at least two years. The required length of time you must have held your driver’s license is specified in the rental terms and conditions for the car you’re interested in. Always read these terms and conditions thoroughly before booking a rental car.

What is the maximum age for renting a car?

Although our search form asks for your age if you’re over 69, that doesn’t mean you suddenly have much less choice once you reach that age. There are some car rental companies that set the upper age limit at 70, but they are very few. Some companies charge a surcharge if you’re over 75 or 80 years old, but there are far more companies that never charge a surcharge for seniors. You can see whether a surcharge applies in the cost breakdown for the car you want to rent.

A few providers set the upper age limit for renting a car at 79 years old. Again, not all car rental companies are this strict, and if you’re older, you can still choose from a reasonably large selection of rental cars. When you search with us, you’ll only see cars that are available for your age group. Just to be clear: just as with the minimum age, it’s the individual rental companies that set the rules, not us.

Always read the rental terms and conditions carefully before booking a rental car. They not only list age requirements and any applicable surcharges but also specify whether additional documents are required. For example, in some countries, a medical certificate is required if you’re over 75, along with a statement confirming you’ve driven accident-free for the past 5 years.

Minimum and Maximum Age for an Additional Driver on a Rental Car

We can be brief on this: the same rules apply to an additional driver as to the primary driver. The age limits are therefore the same, as is any applicable surcharge. Additionally, the second driver must usually have held a driver’s license for at least one year; in rare cases, two years.

More about age and renting a car

We’ve provided a general overview above of the rules and surcharges that apply to car rentals. More detailed information can be found in two separate articles: one for young people (Minimum Age to Rent a Car) and one for older adults (Car Rental: Is There a Maximum Age?).