School is almost finished for the year and your friends are ready to shut the books and head out for an adventure. Maybe you’ve got an unforgettable cross-country road trip mapped out, or perhaps a trip to Disney World. The only thing left on the to-do list is to rent a car or passenger van. You might be asking yourself: “How old do you have to be to rent a car?”
The minimum age to rent a car in the USA starts at 18, but can vary depending on the state. Some companies may request additional fees and extra paperwork as well. Read on to find out what to expect when renting a car or van as a young driver.
So, how old do you have to be to rent a car or van?
When renting a car or van, young drivers may face restrictions on types of vehicles available to them, including specialty vehicles, passenger vans, or full-size or premium SUVs. So, be sure to check directly with the company when securing your ride.
In relation to the legalities of renting a car in the United States, it varies by state. To rent a car or van in New York and Michigan, you have to be at least 18 years old. In most other states, you have to be 21. The majority of companies will apply a young driver surcharge to any driver under the age of 25.
On the other hand, Greenvans allows drivers 21 and over to drive our 15 passenger vans with no additional underage driver charge. Nobody under 21 years old is allowed to drive our vans for both legal and safety reasons.
What is a young driver surcharge?
A young driver surcharge, also known as an underage driver fee or young renter fee, is an additional amount charged by car and van rental agencies to drivers typically under 25 years of age. This fee is separate from the cost of the car or van rental itself. Its intent is to cover the higher risk incurred when renting to a younger and less experienced driver.
What “higher risk”? Well, statistical data shows that younger drivers are more likely to be involved in accidents and make insurance claims, which tend to be more costly for rental companies. The surcharge will vary based on the company, the rental location, and the driver’s age. Usually, it is a daily fee that ranges between $10 to $30.
Can you avoid the young driver surcharge?
The young driver surcharge can be avoided in the case of military personnel, AAA membership, or government employment. You can also check with the young driver’s employer or university to see if there is a corporate relationship that might forgo the charge.
Additionally, some rental companies, like Greenvans in particular, have waived the charge completely.
Van and car rental minimum age requirement by state
As you can see, car and van rental regulations can vary according to state. If you’re unsure of how old you have to be to rent a car in Texas or Washington, no need to fret any further. We’ve compiled a helpful list of US states and their individual age requirements.
| Minimum Age Requirement per State | |
| State | Minimum Age Requirement |
| Alabama | 19 |
| Alaska | 21 |
| Arizona | 18 |
| Arkansas | 18 – 21 |
| California | 21 |
| Colorado | 21 |
| Connecticut | 21 |
| Delaware | 21 |
| Florida | 21 |
| Georgia | 21 |
| Hawaii | 18 – 21 |
| Idaho | 21 |
| Illinois | 21 |
| Indiana | 21 |
| Iowa | 21 |
| Kansas | 21 |
| Kentucky | 21 |
| Louisiana | 21 |
| Maine | 21 |
| Maryland | 21 |
| Massachusetts | 21 |
| Michigan | 21 |
| Minnesota | 21 |
| Mississippi | 21 |
| Missouri | 21 |
| Montana | 21 |
| Nebraska | 19 |
| Nevada | 21 |
| New Hampshire | 21 |
| New Jersey | 21 |
| New Mexico | 21 |
| New York | 18 |
| North Carolina | 21 |
| North Dakota | 21 |
| Ohio | 21 |
| Oklahoma | 21 |
| Oregon | 18 |
| Pennsylvania | 21 |
| Rhode Island | 21 |
| South Dakota | 18 |
| Tennessee | 21 |
| Texas | 21 |
| Utah | 18 |
| Vermont | 21 |
| Virginia | 21 |
| Washington | 21 |
| Washington DC | 21 |
| West Virginia | 21 |
| Wisconsin | 21 |
| Wyoming | 21 |
Does Greenvans allow teens to rent a van?
Greenvans rents vans to drivers 21 and older with a valid US driver’s license. We do not charge a youth surcharge fee. Nobody under 21 years old is allowed to drive our vans, due to legal and safety considerations.
What you need to rent a van with Greenvans
With Greenvans, the rental process is straightforward and simple. Anyone planning to drive the passenger van must submit a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance with primary liability and collision coverage. For non U.S. citizens, the necessary auto coverage can be purchased through us.
Here is how it’s broken down by age:
16 – 18 years of age: Due to state regulations, we are unable to rent passenger vans to this age group.
18 – 20 years of age: Due to state regulations, we are unable to rent passenger vans to this age group.
21 – 25 years of age: A valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance is needed to rent a passenger van with Greenvans.
25 years of age and older: A valid driver’s license and proof of auto insurance is needed to rent a passenger van with Greenvans.
The most affordable van rental for families and big groups
If you want the most affordable van rental option for a family or big group, Greenvans may be the solution you’re looking for. We pride ourselves on being friendly, affordable, and easy to work with.
Our top-of-the-line Ford Transit 350 XLT Mid-Roof vans are new, modern, and well-maintained, and our excellent services are hard to find with big-box rental chains. When you rent with Greenvans, you can expect:
- Friendly customer service reps on call 24/7
- 6 offices on the East Coast to pick up and drop off your rental van
- Custom delivery options if our locations aren’t convenient
- Pricing that is carefully aligned with our competitors
- Significant discounts when you rent long term
We’re committed to offering our clients the best rates we possibly can. Our daily rates range from $15 to $100 cheaper than our competitors and the longer you rent, the lower the fee.
Frequently asked questions on car and van rentals
If this is your first or fiftieth time renting a car or passenger van, questions are sure to arise. Here are a few of the most common inquiries we receive and their answers to make sure your rental process is smooth and easy.
How much does it cost to rent a car or van?
It can cost anywhere from $49 to $78 per day to rent a car, a price which fluctuates according to class, size, and additional fees. Passenger vans cost, on average, between $99 and $329 per day depending on the same factors. Reach out to Greenvans for a more accurate quote that aligns with your personal travel plans.
What kind of insurance do I need to rent a car or passenger van?
Most rental companies require proof of personal auto insurance with primary liability coverage and collision coverage.
How many people fit in a passenger van?
At Greenvans, we rent passenger vans that fit a maximum of 8 – 15 people. To accommodate different sized groups, we remove the back row or rows of our Ford Transit vans, opening up plenty of cargo space for luggage and travel equipment.
What happens if there is a mechanical issue with my rental car or van while on the road?
All rental companies should provide you with an on-call emergency number in the rare event of a mechanical issue. Greenvans will make arrangements for a tow company to bring your van to the nearest Ford dealer or service department for repairs.
I’m not sure where to take my family on a road trip. Any suggestions?
We’ve got plenty of ideas for you to consider when planning a family road trip. Read through our blog of itineraries that include cross-country adventures, the best spots for camping, the ultimate ride through New England, and so much more.
If you’re 21 years or older, rent a passenger van from Greenvans. Get a rental van quote now!
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