So you've got a trip planned, a driving licence in your wallet, and a sneaking suspicion that renting a car is going to be way more complicated, and expensive.
You're not entirely wrong, but it's also a lot more manageable than the horror stories suggest.
This simple guide breaks down everything young drivers and students need to know before booking, with no fluff.
So let's dive right in! 👇
Why Renting a Car Is Worth It?
Public transport is great until it isn't. Missed connections, luggage restrictions ...
A rental car gives you the kind of freedom that makes a real difference, especially if you're exploring somewhere off the beaten track, travelling with friends splitting costs, or moving between cities on your own schedule.
Yes, young driver surcharges exist.
But with the right platform and a bit of know-how, the total cost is often still competitive.
Particularly when you're splitting the bill between two or three people.
Where to Find Last Minute Car Rental Deals?
Rather than going directly to a big-name rental desk (where young driver fees tend to hurt the most), comparison and aggregator platforms typically give you more options and better transparency on total pricing before you commit.
Here are the best options for you:
🚗 EconomyBookings
EconomyBookings works as a search engine across multiple car rental suppliers, letting you compare prices from different companies side by side.
What makes it useful for younger renters is that the total price, including young driver fees where applicable — is shown upfront rather than revealed at the counter.
It covers a huge range of destinations worldwide and frequently includes smaller local suppliers alongside the big brands, which can make a noticeable difference on price.
🚗 LocalRent
LocalRent focuses specifically on local car rental companies rather than the international chains.
This platform provides cheap car rentals for students, which can be a significant advantage.
Local operators often have lower young driver surcharges, or none at all, and their base rates tend to be more competitive.
The site is particularly strong in Southern Europe, the Balkans, and other popular summer travel spots.
🚗 GetRentACar
GetRentACar is another comparison platform with broad coverage across Europe and beyond.
It's straightforward to use, shows inclusive pricing, and filters make it easy to narrow down by car type, transmission, and pick-up location.
Worth running a search here in parallel with the others — prices vary enough that it's worth a few extra minutes comparing.
FAQs
- Which car rental has the lowest young driver fee?
There's no single universal answer because fees vary by company, country, and sometimes even location within a country. In general, local and independent rental companies (often found through platforms like LocalRent) tend to charge lower young driver surcharges than the major international brands like Hertz, Avis, or Enterprise.
- What is the minimum age to rent a car?
In most of Europe and North America, the minimum age is 21, though some companies and countries will rent to drivers as young as 18 with additional restrictions and higher surcharges.
In the UK, the minimum is typically 21 for most standard vehicles. In the US, many major companies require drivers to be at least 25 to avoid young driver fees, though some will rent from age 21. Always check the age policy for the specific country.
- Can I rent a car as a first-time driver?
Technically yes, in most cases rental companies care about how long you've held your licence, not how many miles you've actually driven.
Most require you to have held a full driving licence for at least one year, and some raise that to two years for certain vehicle categories.
- Who has the best rates for young drivers?
Again, this depends entirely on your destination, travel dates, and how old you are.The honest answer: the best rate is the one you find by actually comparing.
Use EconomyBookings, LocalRent, and GetRentACar, enter your real details (including your age and licence duration), and compare the final totals — not just the headline prices.
- How long do you have to be driving to hire a car?
Most rental companies require a minimum of one year of holding a full, clean driving licence. Some companies, particularly for larger vehicles (SUVs, vans, automatics in certain markets), require two years.
Provisional licences are not accepted. If your licence was issued in a non-EU or non-English speaking country, you may also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside it — worth checking well before your trip.
- Can you rent a car without a credit card?
This is trickier. The vast majority of rental companies require a credit card, not a debit card — in the driver's name at pick-up.
This is used to place a security hold (pre-authorisation) that covers potential damage or extras. The hold is typically released within a few days of returning the car undamaged.
Some companies do accept debit cards, but they usually impose stricter conditions: higher deposits, additional ID checks, or limited vehicle categories.
Conclusion
Renting a car as a young driver isn't as expensive or complicated as it sometimes seems — it just requires a bit more homework than it does for older renters.
The surcharges are real, but so is the freedom on the other side of booking.
Take twenty minutes to compare properly, read the fine print on insurance, and you'll likely find the whole experience is more straightforward than expected.
Safe travels 🚘
