Thrifty Car Rentals for Drivers Under 25
If you’re a driver under the age of 25 looking to rent a car for your next adventure, you’ve made it to the right place. Forget the rumors you’ve heard about needing to be at least 25 to rent a car. Thrifty offers rentals to those ages 20 years and up.* Here’s all the information you need as a young rental car driver so you can get on the road.
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Rental Requirements for Drivers Under 25
Ready to hit the road with your first rental car? Reference this checklist to make sure you have everything you need.
- Be at least 20 years old (unless you’re in New York or Michigan, where the age limit is 18 years old).
- Have a valid driver’s license, in good standing for over a year – that means if you have any recent suspensions, you might not be able to rent.
- Have a valid debit or credit card – the name will need to match the one on your license.
- You will be subject to a Young Renter Fee in addition to the standard car rental rate.
How to Rent a Car as an Under 25 Year Old
Renting a car as an under 25-year-old with Thrifty is simple. Follow these three steps to reserve your rental.
- Book your reservation online. Choose the location where you’ll pick up the car, the dates of your rental, and the car class you would like to rent.
- Enter your contact information and confirm your reservation. If you decide to prepay, you will also need to provide your payment details.
- Your car is now reserved. Don’t forget: Bring your valid driver's license and your debit or credit card with you when you arrive at the Thrifty car rental location.
FAQs About Renting a Car Under the Age of 25
We know that it’s important to have all your questions answered, especially if you’re doing something for the first time. To help ease your mind, here are answers to some frequently asked questions by young renters.
How old do I have to be to rent a car with Thrifty?
The minimum age to rent a vehicle with Thrifty is 20 years old throughout the U.S. and Canada, and 18 years old in New York and Michigan.
Can I rent a car at age 18?
Yes. Renting a car at age 18 is possible in a few specific instances. See below.
- U.S. Government Exceptions: If someone is a United States military personnel or Government Employee and can provide official government paperwork to the rental location in which they are inquiring, they will be able to rent a car at age 18.
- State Government Exceptions: In both Michigan and New York states, the minimum car rental age is 18 years old, as officially mandated by the state government.
What is a Young Renter Fee?
A Young Renter Fee (also called an Age Differential Charge or Underage Driver’s Fee) is an additional fee that is applied along with the standard car rental rate to reservations of drivers ages 20-24.
What cars can I rent when under 25?
If you are under 25, the majority of Thrifty car classes, from compact cars to SUVs, are available for you to rent. Some specialty vehicle classes, such as the StyleSeries, are excluded.
Why is there an age limit to rent cars?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that drivers under the age of 25 are statistically more likely to be involved in auto accidents than drivers who are over the age of 25. Statistics of auto accidents involving drivers ages 25 and up are dramatically lower than the accident rates of young drivers.
However, safe and qualifying drivers who are between the ages of 20 and 24 (or ages 18-24 in Michigan and New York) are able to rent cars with Thrifty. In order to do so, young renters will be subject to a Young Renter Fee.
Interested in booking a rental car with Thrifty?
Start your adventure by clicking below.
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*Renters under 25 years old are subject to a Young Renter Fee. Fee varies based on renting location and car class. Car class restrictions apply. Minimum age to rent in NY & MI is 18. Additional terms and conditions apply, see Policies and Fee Information for full details.