Car Rental Under 21 in the UK

Discover the best car hire for young drivers under 21. Learn about age requirements, pricing, and tips for a hassle-free car rental experience!

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Cheap car rental for 20-year-olds in the UK

There's nothing better than gathering your friends and hitting the scenic motorways of England, Scotland, Wales, or Ireland - especially if you're a young adventure seeker. Unfortunately, your age may be a barrier to starting an exciting road adventure. What problems could there be if you can pass your theory and practical tests at 17 in the UK? The main point is that you must reach at least 21, 23, or even 25 years of age in order to legally pick up a car from most rental companies. The good news is that you can still hire a car at 20 years old in the UK if you are confident in your driving skills and meet the supplier’s requirements.

At Rental24h.com, you have access to multiple vehicle categories to suit your specific travel needs. Our cheapest car hire price is £13 per day, which is £68 in a weekly equivalent.

Eager to find a cheap car hire for under 21 in the UK with just a few clicks? Scroll to the top of the page to fill out a simple search form or look at the following catalogue.

from $13 per day
Mini
4 Adults, 2 Bags
Glasgow - Airport - International
from $14 per day
Economy
5 Adults, 2 Bags
Glasgow - Airport - International
from $15 per day
Compact
5 Adults, 3 Bags
Glasgow - Airport - International
from $16 per day
VAN
2 Adults, 3 Bags
Edinburgh - Airport
from $19 per day
SUV
5 Adults, 3 Bags
London - Airport - Heathrow - Terminal 5
from $22 per day
Standard
5 Adults, 4 Bags
London - Airport - Heathrow - Terminal 5
from $36 per day
Full Size
5 Adults, 3 Bags
Edinburgh - Airport
from $53 per day
Luxury
5 Adults, 4 Bags
Belfast - Airport - George Best City Apt
from $79 per day
Convertible
4 Adults, 2 Bags
London - Airport - Heathrow - Terminal 5

Map of Europe with the minimum age to hire a car

When you are going on a road trip as a driver between 18-20, you can start by finding out if it’s possible to book a student car hire under 21 in the UK or any other country in Europe (e.g. for one-way trips). Actually, local legislation is the main determining factor.

So, in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden you must be at least 18. In Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, companies allow you to legally drive a hire car starting at 19. Meanwhile, the minimum age to rent a car in the UK under normal conditions is 21. For more information, take a look at the map below with countries coloured according to the minimum acceptable rental ages.

Car hire license requirements in the UK for young drivers

Most companies' policies state that you must provide a valid domestic driver's licence held for at least 12 months prior to your trip. However, the final car hire UK license requirements depend on the country in which the licence was issued and the supplier you are renting from.

UK Driving Licences

  • You must provide a DVLA licence check code or equivalent printed endorsement record in addition to your own licence.
  • Drivers under 23 must have a clean driver's licence (that is, without a single endorsement).
  • Drivers aged 23 and older can hire a car with up to 6 points maximum on their licence. However, with some major endorsements, a company will prohibit you from driving one of their cars, even if you don’t exceed 6 points.

EU Driving Licences

  • Persons with licences issued in any EU country don't need to present additional paperwork.
  • EU driving licences must meet the same requirements as UK-issued ones do.

Licences issued in other countries

  • If you are going to drive a car hire under 21 in the UK with a licence printed in a non-Roman Alphabet, please accompany it with a valid International Driving Permit (IDP).
  • An Indian domestic licence doesn’t need to be accompanied by an IDP if it contains a built-in electronic chip.
  • When driving with a Chinese licence, be sure to provide an official certified translation as well.
  • Find out if additional documents are needed if your country is not on the list.

Under 21 car hire companies in the UK

With 30 companies providing car rentals under 21 in the United Kingdom, finding a reliable supplier is a piece of cake. Enterprise and Alamo require drivers to be at least 25 and enforce restrictions on certain vehicle categories even for 25-29-year-olds. If you want to travel with Avis or Budget, you need to be at least 23 to legally drive. The same applies to Drivalia, Easirent, and Surprise, which rent cars to drivers aged 23 and above. Europcar has a slightly different policy, allowing 22-year-olds to drive in the UK. At the same time, specific providers (including Hertz, Green Motion, and Sixt), give a green light to car hire for 21-year-olds. Plus, these companies implement vehicle limitations and age-related surcharges for under 30s.

Please note that age policies may vary from location to location and we recommend checking Terms and Conditions for your specific pick-up station. Below, you can browse through the full list of companies available in the UK, and select your desired agency for more details.

Car hire with no young driver surcharge in the UK: is it possible?

Since driving a car as an underage person means paying extra fees, travellers often ask if it’s possible to pick up a car hire without a young driver surcharge, and the answer is yes. We have compiled below a list of tips to help you waive age-related charges.

  • Compare offers. Companies often provide special promotional offers that exclude underage fees as part of the program. Therefore, we recommend specifically looking for such deals and additionally checking Terms and Conditions.
  • Get membership benefits. Some agencies (such as Hertz) waive their young driver surcharge if the renter can present an active AAA membership. Other memberships and loyalty schemes may also offer this option, so please check in advance.
  • Check your insurance. Your personal auto policy or the coverage that comes with a credit card can offset the underage charge. This depends on your specific insurance provider, so look carefully at what your agreement includes.
  • Study the corporate agreement. If you are travelling on business and your employer has corporate ties with a certain car hire provider, this is an excellent path to pursue. You can use the no-young-driver-fee car rental option if it is included in the agreement.
  • Enjoy long-term rental bonuses. Companies encourage travellers to engage in long-term deals with various bonuses. Often, an underage fee waiver is one of the bonuses involved.

Young driver surcharge in the UK

Drivers are only allowed to collect a car rental with no young driver fee in the UK once they have reached the age of 25 - otherwise, the surcharge must be paid. This surcharge can range from 10% to 50% of the total daily rate, depending on the company, vehicle category, trip duration, passenger count, and driving experience. See the following table for more information on the minimum age and young driver surcharge amount applicable to specific suppliers.

Company Minimum rental age Young driver fee (per day)
Hertz

Hertz

21 years old £37.5/day
Sixt

Sixt

21 years old £79/day
Green Motion

Green Motion

21 years old £38.50/day

Where can I rent a car under 21 in the United Kingdom?

You get access to 30 locations within the island nation. This allows you to find a car rental under 21 in the UK at international and domestic airports, as well as multiple city pick-up stations. Review the list of the most popular locations below to help you decide on the best point to start your upcoming road trip.

Best driving routes in the United Kingdom for young renters

Riding on four wheels is the best way to explore the UK's most amazing attractions, interesting for young people and students. Take the A82 motorway from Glasgow to Glencoe, which winds through some of Scotland's most scenic landscapes. You can rush through the famous highlands and breathe in the fresh air at an altitude of several thousand metres above sea level.

To experience the charm of the English countryside first-hand, head from Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon. This hour-long road trip will introduce you to Shakespeare's heritage and take you through the postcard-perfect villages of the Cotswolds.

Naturally, car hire for 21 and over gives you the chance to extend your travel experience to Northern Ireland, where the Causeway Coastal Route tops the list of the most incredible road adventures. Dramatic beaches, majestic сastles, and picturesque rope bridges along with 'Game of Thrones' filming locations promise a mind-blowing travel experience. And if stunning views from your car window are your thing, don't miss a drive along the A4069 Black Mountain Road in Wales.

Brief facts about UK car rentals for students

Check out the most vital info for your next trip across the United Kingdom:

Cheapest car rental

£13/day

Car rental prices start from £13/day across the UK if you book via Rental24h.com.

Cheapest car model

Fiat 500

The cheapest car for rent for drivers under 21 is Fiat 500 or similar.

Cheapest location

Manchester Airport

The lowest car hire rates in the United Kingdom could be found in Manchester Airport.

Cheapest company

EASIRENT

The majority of cheap car rentals could be found if you rent from EASIRENT.

Customer reviews on best car hire for young drivers

Are you a young driver looking for a set of wheels for your trip? Rental24h.com is a convenient and safe place to book a car. We offer hassle-free student car hire under 21 years of age, so you can get the most out of your trip. Thousands of customers have already enjoyed the advantages of our service and are ready to share their experiences.

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FAQ about car hire for under 21 year olds in the UK

How to hire a car at 18 in the United Kingdom?

At Rental24h.com, you can book a car hire for 18-year-olds in just a few steps. First, fill out the web form at the top of the page and activate the search engine. Second, choose a deal that suits your technical requirements and budget. And third, confirm your reservation and print out the voucher sent to your email address.

When you arrange a car hire for 19-year-old drivers, you may not have access to higher vehicle categories such as luxury/premium models, full-size SUVs, 7-passenger minivans, and larger passenger carriers.

Who charges the cheapest to rent cars for 19 year olds in Britain?

If you want to pick up a car hire as a 19-year-old, you will encounter almost comparable young driver fees from many different companies. Still, EASIRENT has the lowest age-related surcharge of about £13/day.

Are car rentals for 17 year olds possible in the United Kingdom?

No, they are not possible. The minimum age to drive a hire car in the UK is 18.

What cars can you rent at 18 in the UK?

Mini, economy, compact, intermediate, standard, and mid-size sedans, as well as some SUVs and short-wheelbase vans, are available for car hire for 18-year-olds in the UK.

What is the best car hire for 18 year olds in Scotland?

From all the available options on our website, the most popular models among young drivers are Fiat 500, Opel Corsa, and Chevrolet Spark.

What are the best rental cars for 19 year olds in Wales?

Consider cars such as Toyota Aygo, Opel Astra, or Kia Ceed, which you can book via our website in any available Wales location.

What is the best car hire for a young driver in Northern Ireland?

Ford Fiesta and Toyota Aygo are among our top car hire deals for young drivers in Northern Ireland.

How much is a Dollar car rental young driver fee in the United Kingdom?

If you are renting a car with Dollar, you will pay about £37/day only for a young driver surcharge.

Can an American rent a car in England at 20 years of age?

Yes, you can rent a car in the UK with a US license if you have other necessary documents on hand, such as a passport and credit card. Plus, you won’t need to additionally present an international driving permit if the original licence was issued in the USA, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand.

Is sports car hire at the age of 21 in the United Kingdom allowed?

Typically, sports cars for hire under 21 are not available. This is because companies don’t allow young drivers access to expensive vehicle categories, due to the unnecessary financial risk.

Is short-term car insurance for under 21 in the UK worth it?

Yes, young driver car insurance in the UK is a necessity if you want to avoid material risks during your trip. Anyone under 21 but over 18 can arrange such insurance, but must meet the following criteria:

  • hold a full driving licence issued in the UK
  • have at least 6 months of driving experience.