How to Rent a Car When You're Under 21
Even if you're over the age of 18, there are several instances where the world will not view you as an adult. One of these instances is renting a car. There are a significant number of companies who will readily rent cars to drivers over the age of 21, but fewer still who will rent to drivers under the age of 21. Renting a car, especially if you're under 21, will take a significant amount of patience and advance planning.
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Instructions
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Renting a Car When You're Under 21
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Consider the location in which you will be renting a car. In the state of New York, for example, rental car companies are required by law to rent to drivers who are 18 or older. Check the laws in the state you will be visiting. If you are visiting a state in which you are old enough to rent, you can rent a car just like anybody else.
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Determine whether you have any special status that might allow you to rent without trouble. If you are traveling for business, ask your employer if they have an account with any major car rental carriers. In many cases the rental car company will allow drivers under 21 to take vehicles if the account is in a corporate name. Also, most rental car companies will rent to government employees or military members regardless of age.
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Go to rental car company websites and review their requirements on driver age. Weed out the ones that will not rent to drivers under the age of 25.
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Visit BreezeNet for a list of airports featuring rental companies that will rent cars to drivers under the age of 25. Search this list for companies that may also rent to drivers under the age of 21.
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Call the rental car companies who accept drivers between the ages of 21 and 25 and ask if they will rent to someone younger if that person will pay an underage surcharge.
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Start calling rental car companies located in smaller towns or suburbs. Locally owned car rental companies are more likely to rent to young drivers than large chains.
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Look for car rental companies in college towns. These smaller companies tend to specialize in renting used cars, and you may have more luck finding a company willing to rent to drivers under age 21.
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If you are a member of a professional organization, ask if there are any car rental deals available through the organization. Sometimes minimum age requirements are waived for professional organizations.
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Get creative. If you are under the age of 21 and traveling on business, you may find yourself stuck if you can't rent a car. Can you rent a small moving van instead? Most moving companies aren't as strict about minimum age requirements as rental car companies.
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Tips & Warnings
If you can't find a rental car company, consider hiring a driver or asking your hotel for assistance in arranging for transportation.
If you rent a car in your own name, be sure to purchase the rental car company's insurance policy--regardless of whether or not you have your own insurance coverage. Your policy will not cover "loss of use" if you are in an accident, but the rental car company's will.
