Car hire age requirements guide

Across the whole car hire industry, it is common practice to impose a minimum and maximum age restrictions for hiring a car. When done so, a surcharge is often added to the overall booking total. This scenario is often more common with drivers under the age of 26 years. Along with possible restrictions, a daily fee is also applied to the rental total. This is known in the industry, as a young driver fee. This fee amount is set by the supplier, and varies substantially depending on the country, car hire supplier, car category, pick-up office and duration of your trip. We advise fully reading the bookings terms and conditions, paying particular attention to any young or senior driver fees mentioned.

What is the minimum age for hiring a car?

In many countries, it is allowed by law for a driver of 18 years of age to hire a car. However, individual car rental suppliers impose their own rental policies regarding age requirements. If a rental is allowed, then it is common practice to include a young driver fee to the subtotal of your reservation. Furthermore, restrictions may be imposed regarding type of car category available for rent. It is important to note that in most countries, the minimum age limit to hire a car is that of 19 years of age. In general, it is much easier to hire a car from 20 years of age onwards – this is because many suppliers require drivers to have held their driving licence for at least 1 year.

A young driver fee can be imposed to any driver who is under 26 years of age. Other important factors imposed by car hire suppliers are a driver must have a full driving licence, not a temporary or provisional licence. In most cases, the driver must have held the licence for a minimum or one or two years to hire a car. All licence endorsements must be presented at time of pick-up. Age limits apply to any additional driver that may be added to the booking - with appropriate fees being added to all drivers.

Having more than 65 years car hire industry experience means that Auto Europe is well positioned to offer standard car hire, luxury car hire and motorhome hire at affordable rates. We have a vehicle for every budget, trip itinerary and driver age. Here you’ll find all the most important and up-to-date information for drivers under 26 years of age.

• Car hire at 18 years of age
• Car hire with less than 21 years of age
• Car hire with less than 26 years of age

What is the maximum age for hiring a car?

In recent years many car hire suppliers have also adopted a maximum age restriction for drivers. Although still rare, this policy is slowly becoming increasingly common amongst suppliers. Generally, anyone over the age of 75 years of age is not permitted to hire a car. The good news is that throughout Europe, this policy is uncommon. Of those suppliers that allow older drivers to rent their cars, a senior driver fee may be imposed as well as a medical certificate and driving history disclosure.

Car category restrictions may be imposed on older drivers in addition to any senior driver fee. It is important to note that these surcharges and restrictions will also apply to any additional driver with the same circumstances named in the booking. It is important to inform us and the supplier of your age beforehand and be aware of any minimum and maximum age restrictions before placing your reservation.

Important information – Age restrictions for hiring a car

• Car hire age restrictions are imposed independently by individual car hire suppliers.
  Drivers of 18 years of age now have the opportunity to hire a car. Even though many countries allow drivers under the age of 19 to drive, many car hire suppliers have adopted a policy of only accepting drivers who have held a licence for more than a year. Individual car hire suppliers adopt their own restrictions, limitations and fees.


• Age requirements for hiring a car is imposed by the host country.
  Age restrictions for hiring a car is set out in the voucher’s terms and conditions. This being said, it is also mandatory to keep within the legally age requirements of the host country. It is therefore important that renters should make themselves fully aware of the country’s legal age requirements and inform Auto Europe if they intend to drive to other countries.


• The young driver fee and senior drivers fee, when applied, is charged locally by the supplier.
  If it is required to charge you a young driver fee or senior driver fee depending on your age, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the rental – this fee is not included in the overall rental rate as displayed by Auto Europe. It is instead charged locally by the actual supplier. Any surcharge displayed on our website is for information purposes only.


• Age restrictions for hiring a car can be linked to the requirement to take out additional local insurance.
  Senior and young drivers with less than 21 years of age may be required to take out extra insurance in order to hire a car or provided with a higher rental rate than the basic rate.


• Age requirements may be linked to the type of car category or additional restrictions.
  Many car hire suppliers have adopted higher age restrictions to vehicles of certain categories. For example, luxury vehicles or special types of vehicles. Vehicle types in the mini, economy and compact car categories will impose lesser age restrictions and conditions.

How to hire a car as a young driver or senior driver?

When conducting an online search via the secure Auto Europe website, you should always enter your correct age. This will allow our booking engine to provide with suitable search results for your age. Here, only suppliers who are willing to hire a car to your age group will display a quote. In addition, knowing your age will allow our system to present to you any additional fees and restrictions as imposed by each supplier. Click on each supplier for specific details on young driver surcharges or senior driver surcharges, required documents or conditions. If anything else is required a member of the Auto Europe team will get in touch.

If you are having difficulty in finding the best car hire rate for your budget or simply need to talk to someone about your rental requirements – please get in touch with us. If you are a young or senior driver and worried about all the conditions imposed or are confused whether or not you qualify, please also get in touch with one of our fully trained reservation agents. We are available via phone or email.