How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a Car in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, you generally have to be at least 21 to rent a car, though Hertz rents to drivers as young as 20 at most U.S. locations. State law doesn’t set a minimum rental age. Instead, the statute lets each rental company set its own age criteria and charge extra for younger drivers, which is why the floor and the fees shift depending on where you book.1South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 56 Chapter 31 – Rental of Motor Vehicles

The Minimum Age at Major Rental Companies

South Carolina’s rental car statute expressly allows companies to “impose an additional charge based on reasonable age criteria” they establish.1South Carolina Legislature. South Carolina Code Title 56 Chapter 31 – Rental of Motor Vehicles The floor is a business decision, not a legal one.

At Enterprise and Budget, that floor is 21.2Enterprise Rent-A-Car. What Are Your Age Requirements for Renting?3Budget Car Rental. How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a Car? Hertz is the outlier: it rents to drivers 20 and older at most U.S. locations.4Hertz. Under 25 Car Rental If you’re 18, 19, or 20, Hertz is realistically your only option outside the military and government exception below.

Turning 25 removes the last age-based restrictions at every major company. Between 21 and 24, you can rent, but you pay for the privilege.

Young Driver Surcharges for Ages 21 to 24

If you’re between 21 and 24, a daily young driver surcharge gets added to your rate. The fees at the major national chains sit in a tight band:

Those are not small numbers relative to a budget rental. On a week-long trip, the surcharge alone runs $175 to roughly $200 on top of the base rate, and it can add 30 to 50 percent to the total cost of a cheap booking. The fee applies each day of the rental and disappears the day you turn 25.

Vehicle Class Restrictions for Younger Renters

Age also limits what you can drive off the lot. Renters under 25 are often capped at compact through full-size sedans, with SUVs, luxury vehicles, and specialty cars blocked out. The exact list of restricted classes varies by company and by location, so confirm the vehicle group is available to your age before you finalize a booking. If you’re planning a beach trip and assumed you could pick up a large SUV, that assumption is worth checking.

Renting at 18: The Military and Government Exception

Active-duty military members and government employees traveling on official orders can rent below the usual age floor. Enterprise, for instance, will rent to any U.S. government employee who is at least 18 and presents official travel orders at the counter.2Enterprise Rent-A-Car. What Are Your Age Requirements for Renting?

Under the Department of Defense’s rental car program, drivers aged 18 to 20 may still be charged an underage driver fee, but it’s reimbursable through the Joint Travel Regulations. DoD travelers need to bring their travel authorization or orders along with a government ID or Government Travel Charge Card, and anyone 18 to 20 must be listed on the rental agreement, including as an additional driver.5Defense Travel Management Office. Rental Car Program

Outside of that carve-out, there is no reliable way to rent from a major company in South Carolina at 18 or 19.

What Else the Counter Will Ask For

Meeting the age requirement gets you in the door. A few other things determine whether the rental actually happens.

You need a valid, government-issued driver’s license. Out-of-state licenses work fine at South Carolina locations. International visitors should bring their foreign license along with an International Driving Permit, and some companies also ask for a passport as additional verification.6Department of Insurance, SC – Official Website. Rental Car

A credit card in your name is the smoothest form of payment, especially if you’re younger. Debit cards are accepted at most agencies, but they trigger additional friction: many companies run a credit check to decide whether to rent at all, may restrict you to smaller vehicle classes, and often require proof of return travel such as an airline, train, or cruise ticket.7Dollar Rent a Car. Debit Card Rentals Some locations also ask for proof of residence, like a recent utility bill or bank statement matching the address on your license.6Department of Insurance, SC – Official Website. Rental Car

Debit cards bring one more wrinkle worth planning for. Rental companies typically freeze the estimated rental cost plus a $200 to $500 cushion on the card. Dollar, for example, holds $500 above the estimated charges.8Dollar Rent a Car. Updated Debit Card Policy That money stays out of reach for the entire rental and sometimes for several business days after return, which can bounce other transactions if your checking balance is tight. Paying with a credit card draws the hold against your credit limit instead of your cash.

If a friend or family member is coming along and plans to drive, they need to be listed on the agreement, which usually costs about $15 per day at major companies. A spouse or domestic partner is often added at no extra charge, provided they meet the same age and license requirements.9Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Can I Add an Additional Driver to My Rental Car in the United States? An unlisted driver risks voiding the insurance coverage on the vehicle, so this isn’t a corner to cut.