Elijah Grant
Renting a car in California is necessary, especially if you plan on staying for a week, due to the state's large size. The minimum age to rent a vehicle in California is 21 years old, and a young renter fee is often applied to those between 21 and 24. Companies such as Enterprise, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Dollar, Hertz, Advantage, ACE, Routes, Fox, Sixt, and local companies rent to drivers as young as 20 or 21. The young renter fee can vary from $14.99 to $35 per day, with an average of $20 per day, and some companies charge a security deposit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum age to rent a car in California | 21 years |
| Minimum age to rent a car from Dollar | 20 years |
| Young renter fee at Dollar | Not specified, but expected to be around $20 |
| Young renter fee at other companies | $14.99 to $35 per day |
| Security deposit at Dollar | $200 |
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What You'll Learn
Dollar Rent A Car fees for under 25s
In California, the minimum age to rent a car is 21 years. However, Dollar Rent A Car does rent to drivers under 25. While the exact young driver fee for Dollar Rent A Car is unclear, one source suggests that it may be $200. Another source mentions a $20 young driver fee for "most rental companies". The young driver fee, also known as the Under 25 fee, is a daily fee that compensates the rental car company for the extra risk of accidents when young renters drive their vehicles. This fee can be avoided by using the Carla Car Rental app, which offers under-25 fee waivers from several rental companies.
According to one source, the average young driver fee in California is around $25 per day, depending on the location. Another source mentions that the fee can be as low as $14.99 per day or as high as $35.00 per day, with a maximum of $279.98 per rental. The fee also varies depending on the age of the driver, with higher fees for younger drivers. For example, drivers under 20 years of age may be charged an additional 'Young Renter Fee' of $57.00 per day.
Some other rental car companies and their young driver fees include:
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Charges a Young Renter Fee of around $25 per day for drivers between the ages of 21 and 24.
- Budget Car Rental: Charges an underage surcharge fee of around $27 per day for drivers between the ages of 21 and 24.
- National Car Rental: Charges a Youthful Surcharge fee of around $25 per day for drivers between the ages of 21 and 24.
- Alamo Rent a Car: Charges a Youthful Surcharge fee of around $25 per day for drivers between the ages of 21 and 24.
- Avis: Charges a surcharge fee for drivers between the ages of 21 and 24, but the amount is not specified until you make a reservation.
- Sixt: Charges an underage fee for drivers under 25, but the amount is not specified.
- Payless: Charges a $25 daily surcharge for drivers between the ages of 21 and 24.
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Young driver fees in California
In California, the minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old. However, young drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 are often subject to a young driver or underage surcharge fee, also known as an under-25 fee. This fee is implemented due to the increased risk of accidents associated with younger drivers, as stated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The fee varies depending on the rental company and location, ranging from $14.99 to $35.00 per day, with a maximum of $279.98 per rental.
Several rental car companies in California, such as Enterprise, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Dollar, Hertz, and Sixt, offer car rentals to young drivers aged 21 to 24. Enterprise, Alamo, and National charge a youthful surcharge fee of around $25 per day, while Budget's underage surcharge fees average $27 per day. Avis also charges a surcharge fee, but the amount is not specified until the time of reservation. Payless charges a $25 daily surcharge for drivers aged 21 to 24, while Sixt applies underage fees without specifying the amount.
There are ways to avoid paying the young driver fee. For example, USAA members between the ages of 18 and 24 can have the fee waived when renting from Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Enterprise. AAA membership also offers benefits, including a waived young renter fee for members from 18 to 24 when renting through Hertz. Additionally, Surprise Suppliers on Carla Car Rental waive the under-25 fee, providing an option to rent from major car rental companies without the additional surcharge.
It is important to note that rental policies and fees can vary by location and time, and it is always advisable to contact the rental company directly to inquire about their specific underage policies and any potential security deposits required.
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Car rental age restrictions in California
The minimum age to rent a car in California varies by company, but it is generally 21 years old. Some companies, such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget Car Rental, National Car Rental, Alamo Rent a Car, Avis, Sixt, and Payless, require renters to be at least 21 years old. These companies typically charge a young renter or underage surcharge fee, which can range from $25 to $27 per day.
It is important to note that some companies may have different age restrictions in certain states. For example, Budget Car Rental allows renters as young as 18 years old in New York and Michigan with an underage surcharge. Additionally, some companies may have specific vehicle restrictions for young renters, such as limiting them to certain car classes or excluding specialty and larger vehicles.
Hertz is known to rent to drivers as young as 20 years old at most locations in the US and Canada, with a young renter fee of $25 per day. However, there are reports of Hertz randomly rejecting young people, so it may be a less reliable option for renters under 25.
Some alternative options for renters under 25 include Turo, which has listings for drivers under 21, and Rent-a-Wreck, which has been known to rent to young drivers. U-Haul also rents to 18-year-olds and older.
When renting a car in California, it is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of the rental company, as there may be additional requirements or restrictions beyond age limits. Additionally, young renters should be prepared to provide a valid driver's license and a credit card, as debit cards may not always be accepted.
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Avoiding under 25 fees in the USA
In the United States, drivers under 25 are often required to pay a young driver surcharge, also known as an under-25 fee or an underage fee. This is because drivers under 25 are statistically more likely to be involved in car accidents, and rental companies cover this extra risk by charging a fee. The fee can cost anywhere from $9.99 to upwards of $25 per day.
However, there are several ways to avoid paying this fee:
- Use a company that doesn't charge an under-25 fee: Silvercar, for example, rents to anyone 22 or older with no additional fees. Sixt does charge a young driver fee, but it is currently the lowest in the industry at $9.99 per day. Dirt Cheap Rentals in San Diego is another cheap option for young renters.
- Use a company with an under-25 fee waiver: Surprise Suppliers on Carla Car Rental, for example, waive the under-25 fee.
- Join AAA or USAA: Becoming a member of AAA or USAA can help you to waive the under-25 fee with certain rental companies. USAA membership is open to current and former military personnel and their spouses, as well as children of USAA members.
- Rent through a non-traditional company: Non-traditional rental companies may not charge an under-25 fee.
- Use a corporate code: If you know someone who works for a large company, ask them for their corporate code. Many companies have agreements with rental car agencies that include no surcharges/underage fees on rentals.
- Look for special cases: If you are US Military or US Government personnel, or if you live in New York State, Michigan, Alabama or Nebraska, you may be able to rent a car at 18 or 19 years old without an under-25 fee.
In California specifically, the minimum age to rent a car is typically 21. However, some companies like Enterprise, Budget, and National will rent to 21-year-olds with a young driver surcharge of around $25 per day. Dollar Rent A Car also rents to 21-year-olds, but it is unclear whether they charge an additional fee for young drivers.
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Dollar Rent A Car customer experiences
Customer experiences with Dollar Rent A Car in California vary. While the company has an average rating of 1.7 out of 5 stars from 19,068 reviews, indicating general dissatisfaction, some customers have praised their rental experiences.
One customer shared a positive experience, noting that the car was clean and new, and the worker was super nice. Another customer appreciated the convenience of the return process, which only took a minute, and the shuttle service back to the airport.
However, numerous reviews highlight negative encounters with the company. Several customers have complained about rude and unprofessional staff, with some reporting that employees yelled at them. Others have mentioned issues with car availability, hidden fees, and difficulties reaching customer support. There are also allegations of unethical practices, such as taking advantage of stressed travellers to mis-sell insurance and charging for unused fuel without refunds.
Regarding renting to customers under 25 in California, there is limited information. While Dollar Rent A Car's website mentions that "young drivers may be subject to a fee at pickup," the exact amount is not specified. One customer, who was probably under 25, shared that they were quoted a price of $91 after expected fees, but they were unsure if there would be additional young driver fees at pickup.
In California, the minimum age requirement to rent a car is 21 years old for companies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Budget Car Rental, National Car Rental, Alamo Rent a Car, Avis, Sixt, and Payless. These companies typically charge a youthful or underage surcharge fee, ranging from $25 to $27 per day, for renters between the ages of 21 and 24.
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Frequently asked questions
The minimum age to rent a car in California is 21 years old.
Yes, Dollar Rent a Car charges a young driver fee for drivers between the ages of 20 and 24. The fee is typically around $20 per day but can vary depending on location.
To avoid the young driver fee, you can use the Carla Car Rental app, which offers rentals with the under-25 fee waived. Alternatively, you can look for rental companies that do not charge a young driver fee, such as Fox Rent a Car, which rents to drivers as young as 19, or Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar, which rent to drivers as young as 20.
Young renters between the ages of 21 and 24 are typically limited to renting economy through full-size cars, including convertibles, minivans, SUVs, and pickup trucks seating up to 5 passengers.
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