How to rent a car avoiding under 25 fee in Europe and UK

Car hire under 25 is possible in most European countries. Car hire for under 21 is permitted in Germany, Italy, Portugal and Turkey.

Car rental companies have different minimum age requirements based on country. Renters under 25 are generally limited to drive Economy through Fullsize cars. Europcar is an exception to rent luxury and sports cars to young drivers. Under 25 car hire in UK is more costly.

Easiest country to rent for under 25: Turkey is a heaven for under 25 car hire. You can rent a car in Turkey if you are over 18. There are no extra fees at all.

Most strict country to rent for under 25: Car hire companies in Ireland are strict. Car hire under 25 in Ireland is only available at limited number of car rental companies.

It’s not possible to avoid Young Drivers Fee completely still you can compare all car rental companies fee to pay the minimum.

Why am I charged under 25 fee?

A Young Driver fee (also called Under 25 or Underage fee) is a daily fee that compensates the rental car company for the extra risk of accidents when young renters (those under the age of 25) drive their vehicles. Statistically, drivers under the age of 25 are riskier. Accident rates decrease substantially after the age of 25, and the rental car companies cover this risk by charging a fee.

Car hire companies in Ireland are strict. Car hire under 25 in Ireland is only available at limited number of car rental companies. Drivers under 25 are eligible to drive at an extra charge of 38.00 EUR/day on selected car groups at Sixt Rent a Car.

Europcar Terms

18 years old minimum with a minimum years of driving experience according to the car category. Drivers under 25 year old will be charged the young driver surcharge. If you are under 25, renting a luxury car with Europcar is possible.

Enterprise Terms

UK

AGE - All drivers must be a minimum of 25 years old. Only drivers over 30 years old may rent Full-Size MPVS, Premiums, or Four-Wheel Drives.

France

To rent a vehicle, the renters must be age 21 or over for categories Mini and Economy, 24 and over for Compacts, Intermediates, Standards, 4x4, SUV, Monospaces, 30 for Premiums and luxe vehicles, and 23 for the cargo vans. All drivers under the age of 25 will be subject to an additional daily charge. Drivers must have held a licence for a minimum of one year.

Czech Republic

A surcharge of 30 EUR per rental plus VAT applies to any customer who is at the date of the rental pickup younger than 25. This surcharge does not apply to customers aged 25 and older.

Turkey

Mini - MBMR, Economy and Economy Elite vehicles - EDMR, EDMD, EDAR, EDAD, HDMD, Compact - CDMR, CFAR, Intermediate and several Standard vehicles - IDMR, IDMD, IDAR, IDAD, IWMD, SDMR, SDMD, SDAD - are available for renters 21 years of age and older. Intermediate SUV, Fullsize, Standard SUV vehicles -IFAR,FDAR, SFAR, SFAD - are available for renters 25 years of age and older, Premium and Luxury vehicles - PDAR, LDAR, LVMD - are available for renters 27 years of age and older There is no young driver fee for these car groups.

Italy

Mini through Economy car groups are available for 19 years old renters. Compact, Intermediate car groups are available for 21 years old renters. Fullsize vans and Standard car groups are available for 25 years old renters. Luxury car groups are restricted to 27 years old or older. A young drivers fee of 22.00 EUR excluding VAT and airport/railway fees (where applicable) apply to 19-21 years old renters. A young drivers fee of 11.00 EUR excluding VAT and airport/railway fees (where applicable) apply to 22-24 years old renters. Young Drivers fee does not apply for Renters aged 25 years or older. The maximum age to rent in Italy is 74. On completion of the booking, it is recommended to carefully check the local Terms and Conditions.

Germany

All drivers must be at least 21 years of age to rent a vehicle. Renters 21-24 years of age may rent car class Mini through standard wagon size cars, 5 seated passenger vans, small four-wheel drives and cargo vans. For Renters 25 years of age there is no age restriction with regards to car class.

PORTUGAL MAINLAND AND MADEIRA & AZORES:

Minimum rental age is 18 years for vehicle groups: Mini MCMR, Economy EDMR and Compact CDMR. A young drivers fee for drivers aged 18 to 20 years is applicable only on vehicle groups Mini MCMR, Economy EDMR and Compact CDMR. Minimum rental age is 21 for vehicle groups: Compact Automatic CDAR Compact Wagon CWMR, Intermediate IDMR, Intermediate Wagon IWMR, Convertible FTMR and all Commercial vans . Minimum rental age is 25 for vehicle groups: Fullsize FDMR,FDAR Fullsize Wagon FWMR,FWAR Fullsize Van FVMR and Premium PLMR, PMMR, PTAR. Maximum rental age is 80.

Spain

Minimum rental age is 21 years for all car groups, except SKMD 6, FKMD 7, PKMD 8, PDMR J, LVMR M, FVMR V, IFMR W, ITMR Y, FFMR Z and LDAR T, for which the driver must be at least 25 years old. A young driver fee of 12.50 EUR (vat included) per day with a maximum fee of 125 EUR (vat included) per rental will be applicable to drivers between 21 to 24 years of age. There is no maximum age limit subject to the driving license expiration and license requirements. For rentals in the Canary Islands, drivers must be at least 22 years old and have a minimum 2 year issue date of drivers license for all car groups.

Sixt Terms

UK

• Be 21 or over
• Have held your driving licence for a minimum of 1 year.
• Driver's aged between 21 - 25 are limited to a selection of cars and vans.
• If you are under 25, you will also have to pay a Young Driver Surcharge of £36 per day in UK.

Ireland

Drivers under 25 are eligible to drive at an extra charge of 38.00 EUR/day on selected car groups at Sixt Rent a Car.

Disclaimer: Our aim here is to provide information as of August, 2017. While we did research in detail, Carla does not guarantee the information provided here. Rental car terms and conditions can change. Please check terms and conditions of the car rental company.

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Guest Author: Louisa Mendoza