For many young adults, getting their driver’s license is a rite of passage. But for some, the cost of car ownership is too high.
Statistically
, they are riskier. Generally, young drivers especially teens are said to underestimate hazardous driving conditions.
Young drivers are charged an additional “Enterprise Under 25 Fee” to compensate the company for the more risks they pose and to also keep the rates low for everyone.
It is important to be aware of any charges before getting on that ride. In this article, I will outline everything you need to know about the fee and how to counter it.
Does Enterprise Have a Young Driver Fee?
Yes, Enterprise charges an additional young driver fee for those renters under the age of 25.
So, if you’re considering using Enterprise, be sure to factor in the cost of the young driver fee when deciding whether or not it’s the right choice for you.
However, there is a way to get around it. More on this is explained below!
Why is Enterprise Under 25 Fee Fee Important
Enterprise young driver fee is important because it helps to offset the increased risk that young drivers pose on the road.
By charging a young driver fee, Enterprise is able to recoup some of the costs associated with insuring young drivers, which helps to keep rates low for all customers.
The young driver fee also helps Enterprise to ensure that its fleet is composed of safe, experienced drivers who are less likely to be involved in accidents.
By charging a Young Driver Fee, Enterprise is able to keep its rates low for everyone else on the platform. This helps to ensure that its community of drivers remains safe and responsible.
How Much Is the Enterprise Under 25 Fee?
Here is a breakdown of Enterprise under 25 fee;
In New York, if you are in (the 18-20) age bracket, you will be subjected to a young driver fee of $64.50 per day. Those drivers (21-24) years of age will be charged $24.50 per day.
In Michigan, if you are in (the 18-20) age bracket, you will be subjected to a young driver fee of $40.00 per day. Those drivers (21-24) years of age will be charged $19.00per day.
The rest of the renters under the age of 25, will be required to pay approximately $25.00 per day but it can be lower or higher depending on the renter’s location.
Vehicle Restrictions for those under 25
Renters (21-24) years old may be restricted to specific car classes.
At most locations, they may rent the following classes;
- Economy cars
- Compact cars
- Intermediate cars
- Cargo vans
- Minivans
- Pickup Trucks
- Compact SUVs
- Standard cars
- Full-Size cars
- Small SUVs
- Standard SUVs
Requirements to Rent a Car Under 25?
Here is a breakdown of what you will need to rent a car from Enterprise if you are Under 25;
- Meet the age requirements to rent. The minimum age to rent in Michigan and New York is 18. For the rest of the U.S, the minimum age to rent is 21. If you are a government employee you can rent at 18 years old after showing your official orders to the rental location.
- Have a valid driver’s license with a photo
- A valid credit or debit card. You should note that some rental locations may require a credit card.
Can I Have the Enterprise Under 25 Fee waived?
Yes, the Enterprise under 25 fee can be waived. The most common way is membership affiliations. More on this is explained below.
Comparing With Under 25 Fees of Other Car Rental Companies
The table below shows the latest details for each car rental company.
Car Rental Under 25 Fee, 2022
Entrprise Under 25 Fee, 2022
| Car Rental company | Minimum Rental Age | Vehicle Restrictions | Young Driver Fee Under 25 | New York State Youthful Surcharge (21 to 24 years old) | New York State Youthful Surcharge (18 to 20 years old) | Michigan State Youthful Surcharge (21 to 24 years old) | Michigan State Youthful Surcharge (18 to 20 years old) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $25.00 | $24 | $64 | $20 | $42 |
| Enterprise | 21 Years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $25.00 | $24.50 | $64.50 | $19.00 | $ 40.00 |
| Hertz | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $19 | $25-35 | $52 | $19 | $42 |
| Avis | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $27 | $35 | $84 | $28 | $41 |
| Dollar Car | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy through Luxury cars | $29 | $29 | $41 | $29 | $41 |
| Budget | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $27 | $35 | $52 | $27 | $41 |
| National | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $25 | $25 | $64 | $25 | $42 |
| Advantage | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $25 | $25 | $25 | $25 | $25 |
| Sixt | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Depends on location | $25- $30 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Ace | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $20 | $20 | $50 | N/A | N/A |
| Fox rent a car | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $20 | $20 | $25 | N/A | N/A |
| Thrifty | 21 years 18 in Michigan and New York | Economy to Full-size cars | $29 | $29 | $52 | $29 | $41 |
This fee is waived by most rental companies for USAA members from 18 to 24 years old.
Military and government personnel are exempted from the young driver surcharge by most car rental agencies.
Some state that government personnel should prove that the travel is for government-related purposes.
Can You Lie About Your Age On Enterprise?
No, you cannot lie about your age on Enterprise. During the verification process after signing up, you are required to submit a valid driver’s license. Your license shows your date of birth. So not unless you submit a fake license. You should also note that Enterprise has access to the DMV database. So, if you provide the wrong documents, you will not be approved and therefore you will not use Enterprise.
Enterprise also needs to be keen in their scrutiny for insurance purposes.
How to Avoid Enterprise Under 25 Fee
If you’re a young driver looking to rent a car through Enterprise, you may be wondering if there’s a way to avoid the young driver fee. Here are a few tips;
- Book with Non-traditional Rental Companies
Non-traditional car rental agencies are companies such as Turo, Getaround, Silvercar, and Zipcar.
Unlike most traditional companies, you can get a lower or no youthful surcharge with them.
For Example;
Getaround
Get around has a price structure that is different from other car rentals. They charge a percentage of the trip price that is different for every age from 19 to 25 years.
| Age | Under 25 fee |
|---|---|
| 25 | None |
| 24 | 5% of trip price |
| 23 | 10% of trip price |
| 22 | 15% of trip price |
| 21 | 25% of trip price |
| 20 | 45% of trip price |
| 19 | 75% of trip price |
The trip cost is higher if you are 19 years but reduces as you approach 25.
For Silvercar
Silvercar by Audi is another good option to roll around the hood. It rents SUVs and sedans at Audi dealerships and off-site airport locations. Silvercar doesn’t have an under-age fee in most cases but you must be at least 22 years at the time of rental.
Exception– New York where you need to be 18 years old and pay a $75 young driver fee.
- Rent Through Carla
Carla, an Online Travel Agency that specializes in car rentals can help you find great deals and rates.
They waive under 25 fees for Carla’s “surprise supplier” deals. In this case, you will not know who you will rent from until after you have paid for it.
When you rent from travel agencies such as Carla, you may not be eligible to earn car points, use rental car elite status or qualify for elite status.
Although they have cancellation fees and strict restrictions, it is a good option for those under 25.
- Get an AAA Membership and Rent Through Hertz
Getting an AAA membership and then renting a car through Hertz can help avoid that annoying Enterprise under 25 fee. Hertz and AAA have had a long-tenured partnership in the automobile industry.
A waived young renters fee for 20-24 years old is one of the benefits AAA members enjoy. Other benefits are;
- Save 10% off prepaid gas
- Add an additional driver for free
- Save 50% off satellite radio
- One free use an infant seat
- Discounts of up to 20% off
- Tow service
- Fuel delivery
- Locksmith service
- Battery service
If you enroll in Hertz Gold Plus Rewards® and you are also a AAA Member, you will enjoy the following benefits;
- Earn points toward free rental days and upgrades.
- Skip the counter and go straight to your car.
- Loyalty offers throughout the year e.g Discounts of up to 20% off
- Add an additional driver for free.
- Drop the keys and go to return.
- Choose from a wide selection of cars.
AAA membership fee varies depending on the membership type, location, and level of coverage. It ranges from $59.99 to $119.99 per year.
However, all Memberships include emergency roadside assistance, DMV services, trip planning, and discounts at hotels, restaurants, movie theaters, and more.
Take your experience with Hertz to insane levels by becoming an AAA member. Join now.
- Rent a U-Haul Pickup truck or van
If you don’t require extra seats and want to avoid the Enterprise young driver fee, you can get a U-Haul pickup truck. U-Haul charges a fee of $19.95 per day, plus $0.59 per mile.
U-Haul franchise is available in most parts of the country. Assuming the trip takes 1 week and the distance covered is 100 miles, the U-Haul cost adds up to; $19.95*7 + $0.59*100=$139.65+$59=$198.65. U-Haul does not charge young driver fees.
You can do your math and see if you will be saving something more so if your trip is local.
This can be a great way to save money on that trip and avoid Enterprise young driver fees.
- If possible, Get a USAA membership and Enjoy the Benefits they Offer that Include the Waiver
If you’re a member of the United Services Automobile Association(USAA) and are under the age of 25, your young driver fee is likely to be waived by major rental companies such as Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Hertz.
You must be a current or former member of the U.S. military to qualify. This includes active duty, National Guard, and Reserve members, as well as veterans and their families. The fee waiver applies to rentals at participating U.S.-based locations.
- Ask Your employer, university, or Alumni association for a waiver or a discount code
Some car rental companies have partnerships with universities or employers to provide benefits to their members. Check the benefits section on your school’s website or alumni forum for discount codes or waivers.
This can not only give you the best deals but also waives the underage fee, includes unlimited additional drivers, and adds the damage waiver free of charge.
Does Enterprise Have Any Other Hidden Fees?
There are some hidden fees that you should be aware of before using the service. This includes;
- Child seat fee
- Additional drivers fee
- Cleaning fee
- Navigation fee
- Coverage products
Enterprise states that the fees should not be a surprise to you. Therefore, make sure you inquire about any additional fees from your agent before that trip.
Concluding Thoughts
In conclusion, Enterprise Car Rental’s under-25 fee is a necessary evil. It is understandable that the company needs to protect its vehicles, but the fee is exorbitant and puts a damper on the experience of renting a car. For those who are under 25 and need to rent a car, be sure to shop around and compare rates.
