From what age can you rent a car?

You just got your driver's license and you want to drive from the age of 18^de birthday rent a car and a roadtrip to Europe, but is this actually allowed? A rental car on holiday has the advantages of comfort and flexibility. But we increasingly see that there is uncertainty about the possibilities for renting a car from 18 or 21 years in the Netherlands and abroad. As an experienced car rental company, we would like to give you more clarity about this in this blog.

Why is there a minimum age for renting a car?

Car rental companies are completely free to determine the additional requirements and rules regarding the age of their customers in a rental contract. Because insurance costs can be higher for young drivers, car rental companies often apply a minimum age. The insurance companies are leading in this. Some companies even apply a maximum age. Within the legally established rules, the rental company may simply prohibit renting out a car to people up to and including 24 years of age. In some cases, car rental companies apply a surcharge for renting out a car to a renter who does not meet an age standard. With this so-called Young driver premium, a rental company insures itself, as it were, for the greater average risk that this specific young renter will have an accident or damage the vehicle.

Rent a car in the Netherlands from the age of 18

Car rental companies in the Netherlands have a minimum age and expect you to have some driving experience on paper. To borrow a car in the Netherlands, you must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid driving license for at least 1 year. Renting a car in the Netherlands is therefore not possible for people under 20. If someone is 18, has just obtained their driving license and has had 40 driving lessons, they will probably be a better driver than someone who also obtained their driving license at 18, then does not drive a car for 4 years and only rents a car at 22. Unfortunately, an insurance company does not take this into account. The minimum age also varies per rental company, destination and type of car. Under 23 years of age, you also have a limited choice of cars that you can rent and for a rental car from a large category you even have to be at least 25 years old. Whether you are a large van you need to move your belongings to your new student room or temporarily need a reliable short lease If you need a car for commuting, it is always wise to carefully read the terms and conditions of your rental agreement in advance.

Renting a car abroad from the age of 18

The age standards and surcharges for renting a car are a worldwide phenomenon. On holiday in a country outside the Netherlands, you will often be confronted with this. Read the local conditions carefully before you sign a rental contract while travelling or reserve your rental car in advance with a foreign or Dutch rental company. This way, you can choose with the ease of your living room and the advice of your parents which type, brand and size of car is most convenient for your travel group and you prevent that there are no more comfortable cars available upon arrival at your holiday destination. Especially in the high season, many cars are rented to tourists. On this website of the ANWB you can read 13 useful tips for renting a car abroad.