Yes, you can rent a car at age 20 in Phoenix, AZ, but it is challenging and comes with significant restrictions and extra costs. While Arizona state law allows individuals as young as 18 to enter a rental agreement, all major national rental companies enforce a minimum age of 20 to 25 for standard rentals. If you are 20 or 21, you will be classified as a "young renter" and will be subject to a daily Young Renter Fee, which can substantially increase the total cost of your rental.
The primary hurdle is the Young Renter Fee. This is a daily surcharge, on top of the rental rate and taxes, applied because younger drivers are statistically considered a higher risk. This fee typically ranges from $25 to $35 per day. Furthermore, your choice of vehicle will be limited; you will not be able to rent premium cars, SUVs, minivans, or luxury models. Rental companies restrict young drivers to economy or compact car classes to mitigate risk.
You must also meet all other standard rental requirements. This includes presenting a valid driver's license that you've held for at least a year, a major credit card in your name (debit cards are often not accepted for young renters due to security hold policies), and proof of insurance or purchasing the rental company's coverage.
The table below outlines the policies of major rental agencies at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) for a 20-year-old:
| Rental Company | Minimum Age | Young Renter Fee (Estimated) | Vehicle Class Restrictions |
|---|
| Enterprise | 20 | $27 per day | Economy, Compact, Intermediate |
| Hertz | 20 | $29 per day | Economy, Compact |
| Avis | 21 | Not Applicable | Must be 21 or older |
| Budget | 21 | Not Applicable | Must be 21 or older |
| Alamo | 21 | Not Applicable | Must be 21 or older |
| National | 21 | Not Applicable | Must be 21 or older |
| Thrifty | 20 | $25 per day | Economy, Compact |
| Dollar | 20 | $26 per day | Economy, Compact |
Your best strategy is to book directly with companies like Enterprise, Hertz, Thrifty, or Dollar. Always call the specific Phoenix location to confirm their policy and fees before booking. Be prepared for the total cost to be much higher than the initial advertised rate once the young renter fee and taxes are added. Alternatives like Turo (a peer-to-peer car-sharing app) can be an option, as some car owners on the platform set their minimum age to 18 or 20, but you must carefully read each vehicle's listing for age requirements and any additional young driver fees.
