A guide to renting a car in Canada if you’re under 25
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This article was originally published on August 2, 2019 and was updated on July 24, 2026.
Age is just a number unless you want to vote, order a drink or rent a car. For young Canadians, hitting the road, whether it’s for an epic summer road trip or driving to campus, comes at a cost. Renting a vehicle under 25 often means paying extra fees to offset the risk you bring as a young driver. Here’s everything you need to know about renting a car if you’re under 25 years old in Canada.
Key takeaways
- The minimum age to rent a car in Canada is typically 21 (but this varies by province and rental car company).
- Rental car companies charge young drivers (ages 21 to 24) a daily surcharge, usually between $25 and $35 depending on the company.
- If you are under 25, you are eligible to use car-sharing apps to rent a car. Some services such as Turo do not charge young driver fees in Canada.
- You may not need to purchase additional rental car insurance from a rental counter if you have an existing auto insurance policy or credit card with coverage. Review your policy to avoid coverage gaps.
Do you have to be 25 to rent a car in Canada?
No, you do not have to be 25 to rent a car in Canada. In most cases, the minimum rental car age is 21, although this varies by rental car company and by province. For example, in Quebec and Saskatchewan, the minimum age to rent a car is 18. Since young drivers are typically viewed as higher risk, most car rental companies will charge a fee for anyone under 25 and exclude certain vehicles, such as luxury models or large SUVs, from being rented.
What is the rental car fee for drivers under 25?
Most rental car companies add a surcharge to their base rate for drivers under 25. The actual amount varies by company. Below, we break down what popular rental car companies charge for young drivers:
Hertz
Hertz will rent you a car if you are at least 20 years old. The company charges a $25-per-day Young Renter Fee to anyone under 25. However, the fee may be waived if you’re a member of AAA or CAA.
Enterprise
The minimum age to rent a car at Enterprise locations in Canada is 21. Renters under 25 will be charged a young renter fee of about $25 per day, but this may change based on the location.
Avis
The minimum age to rent a car from Avis is 21 years old, except in Saskatchewan, where the minimum age is 18. Avis charges $35 per day for anyone aged 21 to 24. However, this varies by province. For example, in Quebec you will be charged $20 per day, and in Saskatchewan, you won’t be charged an underage fee at all.
National
National rents cars to drivers age 21 and up in Canada. If you rent a vehicle from them, you will be charged a Youthful Surcharge of approximately $25 per day, which varies by location.
What is the cheapest way to rent a car under 25?
There are a couple of different options you can try to avoid paying a young driver charge. For instance, if you are a member of CAA or AAA, some rental car companies will waive the fee. If you’re travelling for work or if you book through your company’s corporate plan, you may also be able to skip the fee. Alternatively, opting for a car-sharing service instead of a rental car company can help you avoid the surcharge altogether. For example, services like Turo do not charge a young driver fee in Canada.
Can I use car sharing apps if I’m under 25?
Yes, you can use car sharing apps like Turo, Communauto, Modo, and Enterprise CarShare if you’re under 25. However, your eligibility may be limited based on your exact age and license class. For example, to be eligible to join Communauto, you need to be at least 19 years old. However, to book a standard car on Turo, you must be 23 years old.
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Should I buy rental car insurance from a rental company?
Whether you should buy rental car insurance depends on the type of coverage you already have. For example, if you have a personal auto insurance policy with a rental vehicle insurance endorsement (OPCF 27 in Ontario), or a credit card with coverage, you may not need to purchase additional insurance from a rental company. However, there may be limits, so it’s essential that you understand what you are actually covered for. Here’s a breakdown of each coverage option:
Collision Damage Waiver / Loss Damage Waiver (CDW/LDW)
Most credit cards with auto rental insurance will cover you for CDW and LDW, which protect you against theft or damage to the rental car, usually up to $65,000. However, to be covered, you must pay for the rental car with that credit card and decline the rental company’s damage waiver.
Liability insurance (LI)
LI covers you if you damage someone else’s property or if you injure them due to an accident. Your credit card does not cover liability, but you may have coverage through your personal car insurance policy. If you don't have an auto policy with at least $1 million in liability, consider buying it from the rental counter.
Personal accident insurance (PAI)
PAI protects you and your passengers if you’re hurt in an accident. If you have your own personal car insurance, it’s known as accident benefits, and it’s mandatory across most of Canada, so you can opt out. If you don’t have your own car insurance, pay for the coverage to protect yourself.
Personal effects coverage (PEC)
This protects your valuables like laptops, phones, or jewellery from theft. If you have home insurance or renter’s insurance, you can opt-out of this coverage, since it will cover your personal items. If you don’t, you can still opt out to save money, but know that your valuables are at risk if you leave them in the car.
What documents do I need to rent a car under 25?
Aside from meeting the age requirement, to rent a car you need a valid driver’s license and a credit card. Rental car companies will not accept learner permits (such as a G1 license in Ontario), but if you have an intermediate license class (such as G2), you will typically be allowed to rent a car at an extra cost (the exact amount varies by company). If you are travelling from out of province, you can rent a car with an equivalent license class.
If you are travelling to Canada from another country, you will need to show a valid driver’s license from your home country to rent a vehicle. In some cases, you may be required to get an International Driver's Permit (IDP) if your license is written in any language other than English or French. If you do not have a Canadian driver’s license, you may also need to show additional ID such as a passport.
The bottom line
As a young Canadian, you can rent a car under the age of 25. However, you will face additional daily charges, sometimes up to $35 per day depending on the rental car company. You may also be limited to renting only certain vehicle makes and models. There are ways to avoid the charge, including becoming a member of CAA or opting for car-sharing services that do not add a young driver fee.
Whichever company you choose to rent a vehicle from, ensure that you have the proper auto insurance coverage to protect your trip. In some cases, you may already be covered through your auto insurance policy or credit card. Before getting behind the wheel of a rental vehicle, review your coverage to ensure that you are protected.