Renting a car when traveling for work or on holiday is a great convenience. However, there are specific requirements that must be met in order to proceed with the rental, and it is important to be aware of them before planning a road trip and avoiding unpleasant surprises.

If you are wondering what the minimum age for car rental is and which requirements the driver must meet, you have come to the right place.

What age is required to drive a rental car?

The driver’s age is one of the requirements that car rental agencies are required to check before handing over the vehicle, at the time of booking.

The minimum age required for car rental is 25 years, with at least two years of driving experience. In some cases, it is also possible to rent a car starting from the age of 21, with a small daily “young driver” surcharge. The same rule applies when there is more than one driver and one of them is under 25 years old.

There are therefore two different restrictions: one related to the driver’s age and the other related to the validity of the driving licence. Specifically:

  • if the newly licensed driver is under 21 years old, even with two years of driving experience, they cannot rent a car under any circumstances;
  • if the driver is at least 21 years old and has at least two years of driving experience, they may request a rental by paying a small daily surcharge;
  • if the driver is at least 25 years old and holds a driving licence that has been valid for at least two years, they can proceed with the standard car rental.

One of the most frequently asked questions is: “If I am under 25, do I have to pay a surcharge?” In this case, the answer is no, provided that the driver holds a driving licence that has been valid for at least two years.

Car rental for newly licensed drivers is therefore always allowed, as long as the driver is at least 21 years old and has two years of driving experience.

Are there maximum age limits?

There is no single answer to this question, as each rental agency may decide whether or not to introduce maximum age limits for car rental. At Ellepi, we have no maximum age limit: the only requirement is holding a valid driving licence that was issued at least two years ago.

If you have read this far, it is because you too, like many travelers, are aware of the advantages of short-term car rental. Especially when visiting a destination like Sardinia, having a car to move around independently is truly essential. Are you planning a holiday on the island and would like to learn more about car rental in Olbia? We look forward to welcoming you to our vehicle fleet!