To rent a car in Oregon, you generally have to be at least 21. Hertz will rent to you at 20, and peer-to-peer platforms like Turo start at 18. No Oregon law sets a universal minimum; each company writes its own policy. If you’re between 21 and 24, plan on a daily “young renter” surcharge that can add $150 or more to a week-long trip.
Minimum Age by Rental Company
Because there’s no statewide age floor, the number depends on where you book. Three thresholds cover almost every situation in Oregon:
- Age 20: Hertz rents to drivers as young as 20 at most U.S. locations, including Oregon.1Hertz. Under 25 Car Rental
- Age 21: Enterprise, Budget, and most other major companies set 21 as the minimum across the U.S.2Enterprise Rent-A-Car. What Are Your Age Requirements for Renting?3Budget Car Rental. US Requirements for Renting FAQs
- Age 25: Premium, luxury, and specialty vehicle classes are almost always restricted to renters 25 and older, whichever company you use.
If you’re 18 or 19, a traditional rental counter usually isn’t an option in Oregon. The exceptions are government and military travel on official orders, and peer-to-peer platforms, both covered below.
What Drivers Under 25 Pay Extra
Every major rental company adds a daily “young renter fee” if you’re under 25, and it applies to every day of the rental:
- Hertz: $25 per day for renters aged 20 to 24.1Hertz. Under 25 Car Rental
- Budget: $27 per day for renters aged 21 to 24 at most corporate locations.3Budget Car Rental. US Requirements for Renting FAQs
- Enterprise: a daily surcharge for ages 21 to 24, with the exact amount varying by location.2Enterprise Rent-A-Car. What Are Your Age Requirements for Renting?
Industry-wide, the fee usually lands between $25 and $30 per day on a standard vehicle. On a five-day trip, that’s an extra $125 to $150 before tax. The surcharge stops the day you turn 25.
Ways to Skip the Young Renter Fee
USAA Membership
USAA insurance-eligible members get the underage fee waived at six major companies. Hertz, Avis, and Budget waive it for members aged 18 to 24; Enterprise, Alamo, and National waive it for members aged 21 to 24.4USAA. USAA Member Car Rental Discounts For young military-connected renters, that can be worth hundreds of dollars on a single trip.
Government and Military Travel
Active-duty military and federal government employees traveling on official orders can rent from age 18 under the U.S. Government Rental Car Agreement. Bring your travel authorization or orders, a government ID, or a Government Travel Charge Card. Drivers aged 18 to 20 may still owe an underage fee under the government contract, though it tends to be lower than the standard consumer surcharge.5Defense Travel Management Office. Rental Car Program
Options if You’re 18 to 20
Outside government travel, Turo is the practical route. It lets anyone 18 or older book, with restrictions tied to age and vehicle value:
- Ages 18 to 20: vehicles valued under $20,000.
- Ages 21 to 24: vehicles valued up to $20,000, plus standard-class vehicles above that threshold.
- Age 25 and up: no vehicle class restrictions.
- Age 30 and up: required for Super Deluxe, classic, and specialty vehicles.
Turo charges a young driver fee for all renters aged 18 to 24, and the amount varies by trip length and other factors.6Turo. Booking a Car – US Because trips are booked through individual vehicle owners, read host reviews before you commit.
Vehicle Limits for Renters Under 25
Meeting the age minimum and paying the surcharge doesn’t open the whole lot. Renters under 25 are typically limited to economy, compact, intermediate, standard, and full-size sedans, plus smaller SUVs.2Enterprise Rent-A-Car. What Are Your Age Requirements for Renting? Luxury vehicles, high-performance cars, large SUVs, convertibles, and passenger vans are off-limits until 25.
License and Payment Requirements
Every renter needs a valid driver’s license, and most companies want you to have held it for at least a year. A major credit card in your name is the standard payment method. The company will place a hold for estimated charges plus a buffer for damage, often several hundred dollars.
Some companies accept a debit card under stricter conditions. Dollar, for example, requires a reservation made at least 24 hours in advance, available funds to cover the rental estimate plus a $200 authorization hold, and in some cases proof of return travel and a second form of ID.7Dollar Rent A Car. Dollar Payment Policies – How to Rent with a Debit Card Debit holds tend to be larger than credit card holds and tie up real cash in your account until the rental is settled.
Insurance for Young Renters
Oregon requires every driver to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury, plus $20,000 for property damage.8Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle Services. Insurance Requirements You have to meet that minimum in the rental car one way or another.
If you already have Oregon auto insurance, your policy generally extends to rental cars used for personal travel in the U.S., with your existing deductibles. A credit card used to pay for the rental may add secondary collision coverage that reimburses your deductible; a few premium cards offer primary coverage.
If you have no personal auto policy, you’ll need to buy coverage at the counter. The main options are a Loss Damage Waiver (typically $11 to $32 per day) covering damage or theft of the rental, supplemental liability that goes beyond Oregon’s minimums, personal accident insurance for medical costs, and personal effects coverage for belongings inside the car. The full package can run roughly $44 to $56 per day, which sometimes exceeds the base rental cost.
Adding a Second Driver
Anyone else who will drive has to be listed on the rental agreement. At many companies, additional drivers must also be at least 25 and hold a valid license. A spouse or domestic partner can often be added at no extra charge if they meet the age threshold.9Avis Rent A Car. Can Your Rental Car Have an Additional Driver? If you’re under 25 and your co-driver is too, check the policy before you show up. An unauthorized driver behind the wheel voids the rental agreement and any optional insurance coverage you bought with it.