Underage Car Rental

qwerty · 6 Mar 2006 at 13:48

I am going to Almeria in Spain in April and would like to rent a car. I am only 18 which may present a problem. From looking around on the internet, most people say you need to be 21 with 1 years experience (I have the experience, just not the age). Will I be able to find a smaller company who'll rent to 18 year olds or does anyone know one already? And how much more am I likely to be paying?

KaHn · 6 Mar 2006 at 13:50

All rental cars are 21+ iirc.

KaHn

Scuzi · 6 Mar 2006 at 13:50

I haven't seen a rental company that will rent to an under 21, and eventhen you have to pay a premium for being under 25. Some rental companies won't rent to under 23's so I doubt you'll find someone willing to rent a car to you.

You might be able to hire a scooter or somethign though.

Visage · 6 Mar 2006 at 13:53

Agreed with the above posters. Your only hope might be to get someone over 21 to act as a guarantor....but its unlikely.

My parents own a place out in spain, and whenever they rent it out to folk under 21 my dad acts as guarantor so they can hire cars. That said, he has about 40 weeks of hire every year, so they know him well - im pretty certain they wouldnt do it otherwise.

Rotty · 6 Mar 2006 at 13:55

in my experience you have little or no chance of getting a hire car under 21 years old

stoofa · 6 Mar 2006 at 13:57

Just doing some "Google" searches.
These confirm the age limit of 18 to drive in Spain however all the information pages do indicate can rental ages varies between 21 - 25.

Hawk Tuah · 6 Mar 2006 at 14:34

I hate to say it, but...

Hugogo · 6 Mar 2006 at 14:41

qwerty said:
I have the experience, just not the age

You really arent experienced at the age of 18. Especially when it comes to driving in a foreign country. Im nearly 21 but even when i reach it i wouldnt be confident in driving abroad, even though ive never crashed and been driving since 17.

.SJ · 6 Mar 2006 at 15:02

Nathan · 6 Mar 2006 at 15:10

Look down

Nathan · 6 Mar 2006 at 15:11

I hired a car fine at 20 in canairy islands

- worked out to 17.50 for the day, travelled round the island with the mrs, was great. Well, until I blew the engine in the clio by red lining it in every gear in red hot heat

Got a nice new polo as replacement which was tougher.

Stringy · 6 Mar 2006 at 15:19

Nathan said:
I hired a car fine at 20 in canairy islands - worked out to 17.50 for the day, travelled round the island with the mrs, was great. Well, until I blew the engine in the clio by red lining it in every gear in red hot heat Got a nice new polo as replacement which was tougher.

Where did you hire from? Me, my bro and a couple of mates are in Lanzarote at easter and wouldn't mind getting a car for a couple of days (my brother would drive, 22, license for just over 4 years).

qwerty · 6 Mar 2006 at 15:51

Hugogo said:
You really arent experienced at the age of 18. Especially when it comes to driving in a foreign country. Im nearly 21 but even when i reach it i wouldnt be confident in driving abroad, even though ive never crashed and been driving since 17.

I didn't mean that I am an experienced driver. I meant that most rental companies require you to be 21 AND have 1 year's driving experience, which I have but I'm only 18.

I would never call myself experienced, or even good. I've had enough "omg, that was close" moments to realise I'm quite lucky not to have crashed yet.