Young renter fees: renting a car under 25, and the programs that waive the surcharge
Minimum ages, under-25 surcharges and car-class limits at Hertz, Enterprise and Avis, plus the membership and government programs their own pages say remove the fee.
If you’re under 25, renting a car raises three questions. How old do you have to be at this company and in this state? What will the under-25 surcharge add? And which cars can you actually rent? A waiver program can remove the fee, but it doesn’t change the minimum age or the car-class limits.
This guide uses the US under-25 pages of Hertz, Enterprise and Avis, all checked November 8, 2026. Rules can differ by location, so treat these as company-wide starting points, not a promise for every branch.
Minimum ages at three companies
| Hertz | Enterprise | Avis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most US states | 20 | 21 | 21 |
| Michigan and New York | 18 | 18 | 18 |
| Other state exceptions named | Alabama and Nebraska: 19 | None named | None named |
| Government travelers | Some US government and military personnel from 18 on official business | Any US government employee at 18, with official orders shown at the location | 18 with a government travel order or purchase order; 21 without |
Hertz says its age requirements reflect “the minimum age allowed to rent in the applicable state or province.” A lower age at one company doesn’t mean every company in that state will rent to you.
What the under-25 fee costs, and how to find it
Each company charges an extra fee to renters under 25, but only some publish a dollar figure.
- Hertz says the fee “varies by rental location” and to check the exact charge for your pickup location before you book. Hertz also says the fee applies once to the rental, not once for each under-25 renter on the agreement.
- Enterprise gives an average of “approximately $25.00 per day,” which it says can be higher or lower depending on the location. It says to start a reservation to see what your fee will be.
- Avis gives no standard US figure. It says it will “automatically apply an additional underage surcharge” when you reserve, for renters 21 to 24.
The practical way to see your fee: start a booking on the company’s own site with the correct pickup location, dates and the driver’s real age. Then check the price breakdown before you pay. Entering an older age to get a lower quote doesn’t help. The counter checks your license, and the fee or the age rule still applies.
Michigan and New York publish figures. In these two states both companies list a per-day fee by age band:
| Per day, cars | Enterprise, ages 18–20 | Enterprise, ages 21–24 | Avis, ages 18–20 | Avis, ages 21–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | $34.00 | $15.50 | $41 | $28 |
| New York | $68.75 | $33.25 | $84 | $35 |
Enterprise lists higher figures for its truck rentals. As an example of how this adds up, a four-day New York rental for a 22-year-old would carry $33.25 × 4 = $133.00 at Enterprise or $35 × 4 = $140.00 at Avis, using those published daily figures. That’s the fee only, before any tax, and the base rental prices will differ.
Cars you can and can’t rent under 25
Car-class limits apply even when the fee is waived.
- Hertz says under-25 renters can’t rent from its Dream Car, Prestige or Adrenaline collections, or certain specialty vehicles.
- Enterprise says renters 21 to 24 “may be restricted to specific car classes.” At most locations they can rent economy through full-size cars, cargo vans, minivans, pickups and compact, small and standard SUVs seating up to five.
- Avis allows economy through full-size cars, premium cars, convertibles and intermediate and standard SUVs. It excludes full-size SUVs, luxury cars, minivans, passenger vans, premium SUVs and specialty cars.
Note the difference on minivans: Enterprise lists them as allowed at most locations, while Avis lists them as excluded. If a family trip depends on a larger vehicle, check the class rule before you book.
Programs the companies say waive or reduce the fee
These are the arrangements named on each company’s own under-25 page. Each has its own conditions.
Hertz: AAA, USAA and other discount programs. Hertz says eligible AAA or USAA members aged 20 to 24 “renting under the applicable Corporate Discount Program (CDP) may have the Young Renter fee waived.” It adds that renters under other qualifying CDP arrangements may also qualify. The key words are “applicable CDP”: being a member isn’t enough if the booking doesn’t carry the right program code. Hertz still requires a license in good standing for more than a year and a debit or credit card in the renter’s name.
Avis: government personnel. Avis says “no underage surcharge applies to government personnel who are renting without a Government Leisure Pass.” With a Government Leisure Pass, Avis says the pickup location’s underage fees apply. In other words, its government exemption is tied to how the rental is booked, not just to the renter’s job. Confirm with your travel office which arrangement covers your trip.
Enterprise: government employees. Enterprise’s under-25 page names one exception: US government employees can rent at 18 with official orders. The page doesn’t say whether the young renter fee is waived for them, and it doesn’t name any membership waiver. Ask the location or your travel office before relying on one.
What we couldn’t confirm. Membership partners sometimes describe their own waivers, including for Avis. We couldn’t open an official Avis page setting out such terms on November 8, 2026, so we haven’t listed one here. Check the program’s own terms page, and the price breakdown on your booking, before counting on a waiver.
Corporate codes belong to the employer that negotiated them. Use only a discount code you’re eligible for. A code you aren’t eligible for can be refused at the counter, and the fee or rate may change.
Additional drivers under 25
Being allowed to rent and being allowed to drive as an added driver are separate rules. Avis’s additional-driver FAQ (checked November 8, 2026), for example, says additional drivers “must be at least 25 years old.” Our additional-driver guide covers who can be listed and what it costs.
Before you book
- What’s the minimum age at this company and pickup state?
- What under-25 fee shows in the price breakdown for the driver’s real age?
- Is the car class you need allowed for under-25 renters?
- If you’re using AAA, USAA, a government arrangement or another program, is the right code on the booking, and do you meet its conditions?
- Does the driver have the license history and card the company requires?
To see what the fee does to the whole trip, use our rental cost calculator. If your quote already includes the surcharge, as Avis’s does, don’t enter it again as a young-driver add-on. Our booking guide explains how to compare complete quotes, and the damage-waiver guide covers the counter’s coverage offer, which is a separate decision from the age fee. Brands that share an owner can still set different age rules, as who owns which brand explains.
Common questions
Can I rent a car at 18? At these three companies, yes in Michigan and New York. Elsewhere, generally only on qualifying government or military travel, under each company’s stated rules.
Is the fee per day or per rental? Enterprise and Avis publish per-day figures for Michigan and New York. Hertz says its fee applies once to the rental rather than for each under-25 renter, and that the amount varies by location. Check the breakdown on your quote.
Does a waiver also lift car-class limits? None of the pages say so. Plan on the class limits applying either way.
Sources checked November 8, 2026: Hertz under-25 car rental, Enterprise renting under 25, Avis age requirements and Avis additional drivers. Check the current terms on your own booking and rental agreement.