Can I rent a car if I am under 21?
If you're between 18 and 21 years of age, you're in a group that is brimming with desirable travel opportunities! From study abroad programs and volunteer vacations, to WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) and teaching English as a second language. Your youth and zest for life open doors everywhere and with these exciting possibilities you'll find further travel inspiration around every corner! A car rental is most ideal way to travel independently while you're abroad and Auto Europe is here to help ensure a little thing like car rental age requirements doesn't stand in your way!
What are the local fees renters under 21 should be aware of?
Until you reach the age of 25, you are globally categorized as a "young driver," and young drivers are subject to young driver surcharges. This set fee is applied daily, typically with a maximum cap, that car rental companies charge to each person who takes the wheel and fits their individual company description of a young driver.
The young driver surcharge can vary greatly from country to country and also between car rental companies, so it is a good idea to cross-reference this information. Luckily, Auto Europe is diligent in our practices of providing this important detail as you are perusing your car rental search results! Simply click the product information linked text next to each photo of the car rental category vehicle and voile - you'll know in seconds exactly what each car rental company young driver policies are!
Are there ways to avoid a young drivers fee when renting a car under 21?
A traditional car rental is one option for you to explore when planning a trip to Europe, a short term car lease is another! Factory-new Peugeot's or Citroen's are available for driver's 18 and up! You can travel to 40 European countries covered under the zero deductible insurance provided, with unlimited car rental mileage and no young driver surcharges. If you are under 21 and planning an extended stay in Europe, a car lease may be a great option!
AAA members who rent a car with Hertz may be able to have the "young driver fee" waived if they meet standard rental qualifications. If you are a AAA member learn about all the benefits the come with your membership.
Are there other fees for drivers under 21?
You probably noticed that in the driver information boxes of the three examples above a daily fee for additional drivers is also assessed. Again, the fees vary drastically with the Rome driver fee maximum cap being the most exorbitant, while the highest rate you'd pay in Paris in this instance would be $60 USD.
If you are weighing whether to add another driver for your trip, this fee is another financial factor to consider when you compare car rental rates.
What are the restrictions on fleet availability for renters under 21 years old?
As long as your car rental needs are for basic category car, we can almost always find an equitable solution with a little patience and compromise. If however, you are envisioning speeding along Germany's Autobahn in a sleek super-car, or turning heads by driving a luxury car through the streets of London, hold that thought. Fleet availability for a car rental under 21 years of age typically have more restrictions, particularly for specialty car rentals. If this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip that you don't see yourself making again, call Auto Europe's prestige department toll-free at 1-888-223-5555, where car rental dreams are made manifest!
Is there mandatory car rental insurance for renters under 21 years old?
In most instances when you're renting a car in Europe, you'll find the car rental insurance requirements for you are no more and no less than they would be for any other age group. There are some car rental companies, however, that will only allow you to rent a car if you take additional car rental insurance coverage. In Germany for instance there is a car rental company with whom a car rental under 21 years of age requires that you take an inclusive insurance rate, while another car company might allow you to use available credit card insurance.
Do I need to disclose my age when I rent a car if I am under 21 years old?
Whether you create your car rental booking on Auto Europe's website, or use our toll-free number to make a reservation with one of our agents. When making your booking, be sure you provide the age of the primary driver at the time the car rental. It could make a difference in the additional fees if they happen to exceed the car rental minimum age requirements at that time, which will give you more travel funds to work with, or it might not make a financial impact at all, but it's important that the details are correct regardless.
Does it matter how long I've had my driver's license?
To legally rent a car internationally, the minimum travel industry standard for a driver's license to be held is one year from the issue date. If you're renting a car in Ireland, you'd need to have held the driver's license for two years prior instead of one.
Do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) if you are under 21 years old?
An international driving permit translates your driver's license information into several different languages. Depending on the country and supplier, an IDP may be required, or strongly advised.
Why you should book a rental car with Auto Europe?
Are you ready to book your car rental? Auto Europe offers financial security to the DIY traveler who chooses to utilize our three-step car rental booking engine. If you have any questions about car rental services, Auto Europe car rental specialists are available 24-hours a day to assist you via our toll-free number, 1-888-223-5555.
How to Rent a Car Under 21
Some car rental companies will not rent to drivers under the age of 21, and those that do will often charge an additional fee or surcharge to reflect the added risk of renting to a less-experienced driver. If it's possible to rent a car as a driver under 21 in your travel destination, Auto Europe can help. It doesn't take much extra time to rent a car as a driver under 21 years of age, and you can typically book online or over the phone with Auto Europe in as little as 5-15 Minutes. The cost to rent a car under 21 years old will vary depending upon the particular details of your rental agreement. A young driver surcharge in most locations will be in the range of $5 - $23 additional US dollars per day.
Items You'll Need to Rent a Car Under 21
- A credit card
- A valid driver's license
- Money to cover the standard rental car cost plus the young driver surcharge
Steps to Rent a Car Under 21 Years Old
- Step 1 - Determine the dates of your trip and your rental car budget.
- Step 2 - Visit AutoEurope.com on your computer or smartphone or call our reservation team toll-free, 24/7 at 1-888-223-5555.
- Step 3 - Uncheck the "Driver Age 25-69" field on the search box or inform our phone agent that you are under 21 years of age. This will make a difference and in the inventory and pricing you see so you can make an informed and accurate decision.
- Step 4 - Search inventory in your travel destination to find the best vehicle and price for you.
- Step 1 - Review the available vehicle choices.
- Step 2 - Filter your search by selecting the best vehicle size, a highly-rated local supplier, or let your budget determine the best vehicle for you.
- Step 3 - Select your vehicle, and then consider whether you want to add optional equipment (like a roof rack, etc.) or insurance coverage to reduce the deductible you would owe in the event of an accident or theft.
- Step 1 - Confirm your booking by pre-paying for your rental car. You will typically need a credit card to complete the transaction, though in some cases a debit card may work (call us if you need to use a debit card).
- Step 2 - Receive your confirmation voucher from Auto Europe with instructions about your pick-up location, dates, and the hours of operation of the local rental car office.
- Step 1 - Note the location of the local car rental office on your voucher and make sure the office will be open when you arrive in your travel destination.
- Step 2 - Have a copy of your Auto Europe booking voucher with you, along with the credit card you used to complete the booking, and your driver's license.
- Step 3 - Go to the rental car pick-up counter to check in and obtain your keys. Auto Europe always recommends that you document the condition of your vehicle prior to leaving by taking photos of any existing damage (this can help you should the local rental company claim that pre-existing damage was your fault when you return the vehicle at the end of your trip).
- Step 4 - Confirm the drop-off location and hours of operation prior to departing. This way you will know where to go (and when to get there) for a hassle-free return at the end of your trip.
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