can you rent a car at 18 in california

[Jude]

Yes, you can legally rent a car at 18 in California, but it is extremely difficult and comes with significant challenges and costs. State law does not set a minimum age for renting a car, which differs from the standard policy of most major rental companies. These companies, including Enterprise, Hertz, and Avis, almost universally set their minimum rental age at 21. For renters between 18 and 20, your options are severely limited to a few specific, often local, rental agencies, and you will face mandatory young renter fees that can add $25-$50 per day to your rental cost.

The primary hurdle is finding a company that will rent to you. While not common, some independent or local rental agencies near airports or college towns may accommodate 18-year-olds. It is critical to call ahead to confirm their policy, as it can change. The financial burden is the next major factor. On top of the daily young renter fee, you will be required to purchase the maximum level of insurance offered by the rental company. They will also place a substantial security hold on your credit card, which can be hundreds of dollars more than the rental cost itself, and this hold will not be released until well after you return the car.

Be prepared for strict requirements. The rental company will mandate that you have a valid, non-provisional driver's license that you've held for at least a year, a major credit card in your name (debit cards or cash are almost never accepted for young renters), and sometimes proof of your own auto insurance. Given these obstacles, most 18-year-olds find that using peer-to-peer car sharing services like Turo can be a more viable, though still expensive, alternative, as individual car owners set their own age policies.

Rental Company	Standard Minimum Age	Policy for 18-20 Year Olds	Estimated Daily Young Renter Fee
Enterprise	21	Not permitted	N/A
Hertz	21	Not permitted	N/A
Avis	21	Not permitted	N/A
Budget	21	Not permitted	N/A
Fox Rent A Car	21	Permitted at certain locations	$35 - $50
Local/Independent Agencies	Varies	Possible, but rare	$25 - $50+

[EvaFitz]

Forget the big names like Hertz or Enterprise; they won't even talk to you if you're under 21. Your only shot is to search online for local, independent rental places, especially ones near a college campus. Call them directly—don't just trust a website. Be ready for a major sticker shock with extra fees and a huge credit card hold. Honestly, it's often cheaper and easier to use a car-sharing app or just rely on rideshares for a trip.