There’s no Tennessee law that sets a minimum age to rent a car, so how old you have to be to rent a car in Tennessee depends on the company at the counter. In practice, most major agencies rent to drivers starting at 20 or 21, and anyone under 25 pays a daily young driver surcharge unless a membership or program waives it. Renters 18 and 19 are generally out of luck outside of military channels and a handful of independent agencies.
Minimum Age at Major Rental Companies
Because Tennessee leaves the policy entirely to private businesses, the floor shifts from brand to brand. Hertz rents to drivers as young as 20 at most U.S. locations, including Tennessee, with an extra daily charge that comes off once the renter turns 25.1Hertz. Age Restrictions and Exceptions Enterprise, Avis, and Budget generally require renters to be at least 21, though policies shift by location and by whether the renter qualifies for a special program.
A few independent or discount agencies in Tennessee will rent to 18-year-olds, but they’re the exception, and they typically charge steeper surcharges to compensate. If you’re 20 or younger and not covered by one of the exceptions below, expect to be turned away at most rental counters in the state.
The Young Driver Surcharge and How to Avoid It
Renters between 20 and 24 can usually rent, but they pay for it. The daily young driver surcharge at major companies typically runs between $20 and $30 per day, and some locations and vehicle classes push it higher. On a week-long rental, that fee alone can add $140 to $210 to the total, sometimes rivaling the base rate.
A few memberships and programs cut or eliminate the fee:
- USAA Insurance-eligible members get the underage fee waived at Hertz, Avis, and Budget for ages 18–24, and at Enterprise, Alamo, and National for ages 21–24.2USAA. USAA Member Car Rental Discounts
- AAA members ages 20–24 pay no young renter fee at Hertz when they include their AAA Corporate Discount Program number in the reservation.3Hertz. Hertz AAA Offers Young Renters Are Welcome With No Extra Fee for 20+
- Some corporate travel and university rental agreements include surcharge waivers for employees or students under 25. Check your employer’s travel portal or campus services before booking directly.
Even with a waiver, the renter needs a valid driver’s license held for at least one year and a major credit card in their own name. The AAA/Hertz deal spells that out at the counter along with proof of membership.3Hertz. Hertz AAA Offers Young Renters Are Welcome With No Extra Fee for 20+
Vehicles You Still Can’t Rent Under 25
Clearing the age minimum and even waiving the surcharge doesn’t unlock the full fleet. Younger renters are typically blocked from premium and specialty categories. Hertz, for instance, excludes anyone under 25 from its Dream Car, Prestige, and Adrenaline collections.4Hertz. Renting a Car Under 25? We’ve Got You Covered Other agencies apply similar limits, generally barring high-end sedans, large SUVs, and convertibles for younger drivers. Standard economy, compact, and midsize cars are almost always available.
What You’ll Need at the Counter
Every Tennessee rental counter will ask for a valid U.S. driver’s license. Most agencies want that license to have been held for at least a year, and some check your driving record for recent violations. A major credit card in the renter’s name is the standard payment method. Debit cards are accepted at some locations, but expect additional hoops: the agency may pull a credit report, require proof of a return flight, or place a larger hold on your account.
Security deposits held on your card during the rental period generally range from $200 to $500 for standard vehicles, though luxury cars and longer rentals can push that hold higher. The deposit ties up available credit until a few days after you return the car, which matters if you’re relying on a card with a low limit. Cash deposits are almost universally rejected.
International Visitors
Foreign visitors renting in Tennessee need a valid driver’s license from their home country plus a passport. Tennessee doesn’t require an International Driving Permit, but if your license is printed in a non-Roman alphabet, most rental companies will require an IDP or an official English translation before handing over the keys.
Military Renters Ages 18 to 20
Active-duty military personnel ages 18 to 20 can rent through the Department of Defense rental car program, which contracts with major agencies to serve service members on official or leisure travel. Under this program, renters in the 18–20 range may still be charged an underage driver fee, but that fee is reimbursable for official travel under the Joint Travel Regulations.5Defense Travel Management Office. Rental Car Program The renter has to be listed on the rental agreement, even when added as a secondary driver.
What Happens If You Work Around the Age Rules
Renting through a friend or relative and then driving the car yourself sounds harmless, but it carries real financial and legal exposure.
If an unauthorized driver is involved in an accident, the rental company will almost certainly void its damage waiver and any supplemental coverage. That leaves the renter personally responsible for repairs, third-party injuries, and loss-of-use fees, which rental companies calculate by multiplying a daily rate by the number of days the car sits in a repair shop. The daily rate may be your contract rate, a published fleet rate, or a figure buried in the fine print, and there’s no cap unless the contract specifies one.
Tennessee’s modified comparative fault rule also cuts against you. A driver found to be more than 50 percent at fault for an accident can’t recover damages from the other party but remains liable for costs the other party incurred.6Justia Law. Tennessee Code 29-11-103 – Determination of Fault An unauthorized driver who causes a wreck faces that liability while the rental company simultaneously denies coverage.
Misrepresenting your identity to rent a car, such as using someone else’s license or fabricating personal information, can cross into criminal territory. Tennessee’s identity theft statute makes it a crime to knowingly use another person’s identifying information to obtain goods or services without consent.7Justia Law. Tennessee Code 39-14-150 – Identity Theft Victims Rights A conviction is a Class D felony carrying two to twelve years in prison and fines up to $5,000.8Justia Law. Tennessee Code 40-35-111 – Authorized Terms of Imprisonment and Fines for Felonies and Misdemeanors What feels like a workaround can escalate into a felony charge faster than most renters realize.