Car Rental Under 25 in Los Angeles: Ages and Costs (2026)

Updated October 30, 2026 · By Yaniv Segal, RentCarUSA

In short: At most major rental companies in the USA, the minimum age is 21, and at some it is 20. Drivers aged 20–24 pay a daily "young driver" surcharge, usually around $25 to $37 per day. On a one-month rental, this can reach an amount as high as the rental itself. With us, drivers from age 21 receive a fixed quote with the surcharge already included.

From what age can you rent a car in Los Angeles?

In California, there is no law that sets a minimum age for renting a car. Each company sets its own rules, so the picture changes between companies and sometimes between branches. As of 2026, based on the policies published in the USA:

With us: the minimum age is 21. For drivers aged 21–24, the daily surcharge is already included in the quote, so there are no surprises at the counter. We cannot rent to drivers under 21.

How much is the young driver surcharge, and why does it hurt most on a long rental?

The Young Driver Surcharge is charged for each rental day. According to the companies' published information, common averages are about $25 to $27 per day at Enterprise, Alamo, Avis and Budget, and about $25 to $37 per day at Sixt. At other companies, the amount changes by branch and car category. Sometimes there is a maximum per rental, and sometimes there is not.

For a one-week trip, this is annoying but acceptable. On a 26-day rental, the calculation looks different: 26 days times $25 to $30 is $650 to $780 just for your age, before insurance, taxes and fuel. This is why it is important to ask for a final price for your age, and not to rely on a price shown on a website for a driver aged 25 or older.

Example: our price for a small car for a driver aged 25 or older is $806 for 26 days, including damage coverage, third-party liability, taxes and unlimited miles. For a 22-year-old driver, we send an updated quote that includes the surcharge. What is written in the quote is what you pay, and not more.

Which cars can a young driver rent?

At most companies, drivers under 25 are limited to "regular" categories: small cars, sedans, and small and midsize SUVs. Luxury cars, sports cars, very large vehicles and sometimes also 12–15 passenger vans are not available to them. Minivans and 7-seat SUVs are possible in some cases and not in others, depending on the company and the branch. If you are a group of four friends who want a large car, mention it when you ask for a quote and we will check what is available for your age.

Not sure which car fits? Which car fits you? takes one minute.

What else is important to know when you are young?

1. A credit card in your own name. The most common problem for young drivers at the counter is a parent's credit card. The deposit hold must be on a physical credit card (not debit) in the main driver's name, with available credit of a few hundred dollars up to about $1,000. Arrange this with your bank before your flight (all the details about the deposit).
2. A license valid for the whole period. A valid home-country license is enough for a visitor. If your license is not in the Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is recommended together with it. We wrote about the International Driving Permit and driving experience in the guide to driving in California with a foreign license.
3. A young additional driver also costs extra. If two 23-year-old friends share the driving, you usually pay the age surcharge for the additional driver too. A person who is not listed on the contract is not covered by the insurance, even if they only "moved the car in the parking lot".
4. Alcohol: zero tolerance under 21. In California, a driver aged 21 or older may drive with up to 0.08% blood alcohol, and for drivers under 21 the limit is 0.01%. Drunk driving almost always cancels the insurance coverage and leaves you exposed to the full cost of the damage.
5. Full coverage is twice as important. Statistically, young drivers are involved in more accidents. Damage coverage for the car and high third-party liability are not a luxury, especially on roads such as the 405.

What about Turo or a car from a Facebook group?

On Turo, the age limits and surcharges are set by the policy of the platform and of the host, and the terms for young drivers are often more restrictive than the regular terms. In private rental Facebook groups, sometimes nobody asks about your age at all, but then the insurance does not always cover the person who is actually driving. When the insurance does not cover you, every damage comes out of your own pocket. In a check we did in October 2026, such a private rental cost about $700 to $950 per month, usually for an older car and with a cash deposit. A full comparison is in the guide to a monthly rental vs Turo.

Frequently asked questions

I am 20. Do you have a solution?

Unfortunately not. Our minimum age is 21. Some major companies rent from age 20, with a high surcharge and a limited choice of cars.

Is the age surcharge included in the prices shown on the website?

The prices shown are for a driver aged 25 or older. For ages 21–24, we send a personal quote with the surcharge already included, and you will not pay more than what is written in it.

If my parents are over 25, can I list them as drivers and drive myself?

Only people listed on the contract may drive. If you drive, you also need to be listed, and then the age surcharge applies. If a parent is the main driver, the credit card must be in that parent's name.

Aged 21–24 and looking for a car for a month with a final price in advance? Get a quote, and find more details in the full guide to monthly car rental in Los Angeles.