Car Hire Under 25 in UK

Uncover cheap car hire for young drivers under 25 who want to travel throughout the UK. Hire a car from £13 per day

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UK car hire under 25

Enjoy the UK's wonders with Rental24.co.uk

The sights of the United Kingdom are a feast for the eyes. With Big Ben and Buckingham Palace in London, the country offers numerous cultural, natural, and entertainment venues. Warwick Castle, Loch Ness, Causeway Coast, Yorkshire Dales National Park, and hundreds of other beautiful places are open to travellers.

Thus, hiring a car and exploring all these highlights would be an excellent idea for a weekend getaway or a long-awaited vacation. However, picking up four wheels can be a challenge for the drivers under 25 years old due to local restrictions.

Fortunately, Rental24.co.uk does its best to make young driver car hire in the UK possible. Use our platform to start planning your trip with confidence and get the vehicle you want. The list below will help you to find out the cheapest option that suits all your needs!

from $13 per day
Mini
4 Adults, 2 Bags
Glasgow - Airport - International
from $14 per day
Economy
5 Adults, 2 Bags
Glasgow - Airport - International
from $15 per day
Compact
5 Adults, 3 Bags
Glasgow - Airport - International
from $16 per day
Van
2 Adults, 3 Bags
Edinburgh - Airport
from $19 per day
SUV
5 Adults, 3 Bags
London - Airport - Heathrow - Terminal 5
from $22 per day
Standard
5 Adults, 4 Bags
London - Airport - Heathrow - Terminal 5
from $36 per day
Full Size
5 Adults, 3 Bags
Edinburgh - Airport
from $53 per day
Luxury
5 Adults, 4 Bags
Belfast - Airport - George Best City Apt
from $79 per day
Convertible
4 Adults, 2 Bags
London - Airport - Heathrow - Terminal 5

Top locations for car hire under 25 in the UK

With over 90 downtown and airport locations in the UK, you can plan your journey to any corner of the country. Rental24.co.uk provides a wide choice of hire cars under 25-year-olds in all major travel destinations in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Head to London, Glasgow, Bristol, and Cardiff, or spice up your trip with a visit to Oxford, Brighton, Cambridge, or Bath.

Find the right collection point for you in the list below. If you want to start booking, choose the most suitable location, or find the search form at the top of the page.


Under 25 car hire categories

Finding the perfect hire car for young drivers through our website is easy. Our smart search engine with filters allows you to sort deals, so you can quickly choose an offer that suits your criteria (especially, the age to hire a car in the UK). If you need help deciding which vehicle category to choose for your trip to the UK, consider the following list of all the options available to young travellers and where they are appropriate:

Mini

Mini

Ideal for solo travellers, couples, or friends with 1-2 pieces of luggage.

Economy

Economy

An excellent choice for a budget trip with 3-4 passengers.

Compact

Compact

Maneuverable and sufficiently roomy vehicles for a leisurely drive in the city and on motorways.

Intermediate

Intermediate

A compromise option for more interior space at a reasonable price.

Estate

Estate

Perfect for travellers who need extra legroom and extended luggage space.

Minivan

Minivan

The best solution for small families travelling medium and long distances.

SUV

SUV

Ideal for back roads and mountainous sections such as the Scottish Highlands.

Want to check all available hire a car under 25 options? Fill out the search form on our website!

Car hire requirements for under-25-year-olds in the UK

You get access to cheap car hire for under 25 UK subject to two important conditions. First, you must meet the minimum age of 21, and second, you must provide a driver's licence with 1+ years of experience (so, you can't rent a car without a driver licence). Special category vehicles, including 7-passenger minivans, luxury, premium autos, and passenger vans, may have stricter age and licence requirements.

Documents needed to hire a car in the UK for young drivers

The documents required to legally pick up and drive a hire vehicle in the United Kingdom vary from company to company. However, the general paperwork requirements for student car hire remain similar.

Study the list of documents to prepare for the upcoming road trip:

  • Driving licence. Non-English licences issued in the EU and foreign licences issued not in the Latin alphabet must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP).
  • Valid ID. A domestic passport or driver's licence with a photo is an authorised method of identification when collecting car hire for under 25. Also, the company may require a second photo ID in exceptional cases.
  • Credit or debit card. Make sure your card features the necessary balance to pay the total reservation price and deposit. Debit card holders may require an address and ID verification as well as additional documents, including a utility bill and a return plane ticket.
  • Confirmation voucher. After completing the booking on our website, print the voucher sent to your email to show at the counter.

Car hire companies for those under 25 in the UK

We make it possible to hire a car under 25 in the UK from dozens of international and local suppliers. Sixt, Budget, Hertz, Europcar, Thrifty, and other agencies offer high-quality service through our website. Note, that among all that assortment of suppliers, the cheapest rental company for drivers under 25 years old is EASIRENT.

Still, with unique terms and conditions, each provider features different requirements for young drivers in their 20s. However, you can rest assured your trip will be successful in any UK location.

Find out more about the car rental companies' overall rating in the table below:

Age restrictions of under 25 car hire companies

Do you have to be 26 to rent a car in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, or anywhere else in the UK? It all depends on the particular company. For example, Enterprise, Alamo, and National allow you to pick up a vehicle from 25. In addition, only specific vehicle categories can be accessed by the younger generation. If you don't know which agency to choose, compare their age requirements and restrictions below.

  • Hertz. The minimum age for driving a vehicle from this company is 21. Hertz allows mini (Kia Picanto or similar), economy (Ford Fiesta or similar), compact (Vauxhall Astra, Kia Ceed or similar), intermediate (Honda Civic or similar), and 5-seat minivan (VW Caddy or similar) auto groups. Fiat Doblo Cargo and Ford Transit with short wheelbase are also available. 21-24-year-old renters must pay a young driver fee of £37/day, £262/week, or a maximum of £1,050/trip (including tax).
  • Dollar. The minimum age to rent a car in the UK from Dollar is 22. The provider charges £34/day as an underage fee and allows you to pick up the economy, standard vehicles, and Short Wheel Base Vans.
  • Thrifty. The company offers economy and standard autos, and Short Wheel Base Vans are the only options available to young drivers. The vendor allows car hire for 22-year-olds, though up to 24, drivers are subject to an extra underage fee of £34 including VAT.
  • Budget. You must reach at least 23 to drive a Budget auto. The list of legal categories includes mini (Hyundai i10 or similar), economy (Ford Fiesta or similar), compact (Seat Leon or similar), and intermediate (VW Golf or similar). The young driver fee is £32/day (including VAT), capped at 10 days.
  • Sixt. The minimum car hire age is 21. You can choose compact (Renault Captur, Peugeot 308, or similar), intermediate (Kia Ceed or similar), or economy (Skoda Fabia or similar) deals. Drivers aged 21-25 pay a £73/day underage fee.
  • Europcar/Keddy by Europcar. Compact (Ford Focus or similar), Mini (Fiat 500 or similar), and Economy (Vauxhall Corsa or similar) are available for car hire UK for under 25 travellers. The minimum age is 22, with a young driver fee of £32/day.
  • Avis. You can travel with Avis from the age of 23. The company gives access to economy, compact, intermediate vehicles, and some compact SUVs. You must pay a Young Driver's Charge of £39/day, including VAT.
  • Easirent. The company offers its services to drivers with a minimum age of 23. People under 25 must hold a driver's licence that has been valid for 1 year or more and may pick up vehicles from the mini, economy, and compact categories. The underage fee is £30/day.
  • GreenMotion. This rental company allows car hire for 21-year-olds. Drivers 21-24 are subject to an underage charge of £38/day. The list of available vehicles includes small models such as the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta, Fiat 500, Kia Picanto, and Peugeot 108.
  • Surprice. The company offers car hire for 23-year-olds as the minimum age. Also, it requires at least 2 years of driving experience and charges a young driver's fee of £30/day. Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Passat, and Kia Optima are among the permitted models.
Car hire company Minimum age to hire a car Young driver’s surcharge Vehicle restrictions
Hertz

21 years old

£37/day

Young drivers are not allowed to hire luxury, exotic, sports cars and also Long Wheel Base Vans.

Dollar

22 years old

£35/day

Drivers under 25 are not allowed to hire luxury, exotic, sports cars and also Long Wheel Base Vans.

Thrifty

21 years old

£35/day

Drivers of 24 years old and less are not allowed to hire luxury, exotic, sports cars and also Long Wheel Base Vans.

Budget

20 years old

£40/day

Clients under 25 are not allowed to hire luxury, exotic, sports cars, VANs and SUVs.

Sixt

21 years old

£41/day

Young drivers are not allowed to hire luxury, exotic, sports cars, VANs and SUVs.

Europcar

25 years old

£32/day

Drivers between 21-24 years old are not allowed to hire intermediate, luxury, exotic, sports cars, VANs and SUVs.

Avis

23 years old

£37/day

Drivers younger than 25 are not allowed to hire luxury, exotic, sports cars, VANs and some SUVs (usually with Long Wheel Base).

Easirent

21 years old

£36/day

Young drivers are not allowed to hire intermediate, luxury, exotic, sports cars, VANs and SUVs.

Green Motion

21 years old

£50/day

Drivers under twenty five are not allowed to hire intermediate, luxury, exotic, sports cars, VANs and SUVs.

Surprice

21 years old

£38/day

Young drivers are not allowed to hire intermediate, luxury, exotic, sports cars, VANs and SUVs.

The secret of cheap car hire under 25 UK

The UK car hire prices may be really high, but don`t worry! The main rule is to book early. The more days you leave before the trip starts, the lower the price. However, the optimal period for finding and booking a vehicle is a long-term period between 2 weeks and 4 months before the journey. Also, avoid periods of high demand, such as spring and summer holidays, Christmas, Easter, and other significant events when prices rise. The cheapest car rental under 25 deals appear from October to December and from January to March when the low season begins in the UK.

Another way to save money is to extend your trip. Long-term deals are more economical in terms of the per-day price. The cost also varies in different locations, and city pick-up points are cheaper in this regard than airport spots. In addition, remember to compare similar deals offered for drivers under 25 by other companies. For instance, now the cheapest car rental company in the UK is EASIRENT.

What to know about under 25 car hire in the United Kingdom

Proper preparation for your trip guarantees a smooth and hassle-free ride. That’s why studying important travel information is essential. We have prepared a list of the main points you should remember and apply in your upcoming journey:

  • Pick-up and payment options. Have your credit card ready upon vehicle collection. Before your trip, the company freezes the security deposit, which becomes available again after the drop-off. Also, you can buy under 25 car insurance (UK) at the counter. Just make sure that your bank card balance is sufficient to pay the total reservation cost and deposit.
  • Child boosters. When travelling throughout the UK with children under 12 years of age and up to 135 cm tall, please bring an appropriately sized child seat. Order it at the booking stage or at the counter.
  • Car trackers. Agencies supply their vehicles with trackers. It doesn’t change anything for you if you don’t violate the rental agreement. In addition, this device can help find you if you get lost, or in the case of an unexpected event or emergency.
  • Driving and speed limits. When driving on local roads, remember that speed and distance are in miles, and fuel is in litres. Also, observe the legal speed limit. When driving a London car hire under 25, do not exceed the 30mph limit within the city. The top speed on motorways is 70mph and 60mph on highways.
  • Traffic cameras. You will have to pay a large fine if the camera catches you speeding. Therefore, drive wisely to avoid problems, especially when you are a student driver under 25.
  • Expensive gas. Fuel prices in the UK are 43% higher than in the US. On average, the petrol cost in the United Kingdom is about 0. Consider this in your travel budget. Also, the designation of handles on fuel pumps is different from what you see in America. Diesel is black, and unleaded is green. Keep this in mind when visiting UK gas stations.

Map of EU minimum age to hire a car by country

European countries have their own age limits. If you are younger than 21, it is not that easy to find a car rental company that will allow you to rent a car in the UK. On the other hand, there are a few countries in Europe where drivers as young as 18 can hire a car. Check out our map to find out the minimum age to rent a car in different European countries.

Map fo Europe

Rental24.co.uk car hire video reviews

Easy way to hire a car in the UK for under 25 drivers

A reliable car hire for under 25 is here! Enjoy simple and fast booking on our website. Find the search form at the top of the page, and select the desired pick-up/return location and time. Next, uncheck the “Driver aged between 30 and 65” box, enter your exact age, and hit the search button. After that, we will show you all the available deals in the UK and help you choose the necessary optional extras. As a result, you can easily book a vehicle and take the first step toward a successful trip!

You can watch short video reviews from our customers under the age of 25 who already booked a car hire with us. They will help you decide on the most suitable option for your specific needs!

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FAQ about hiring a car under 25 in the UK

Does car hire for under 25 UK require paying extra fee?

Every driver who hasn't reached the age of 25 is subject to the young driver's fee. It’s calculated on a daily basis and depends on the specific supplier, vehicle class, and category. Companies don't include it in the rental price, you have to pay it at the counter. When booking a car on our website, you can check the exact underage fee amount in the terms and conditions of the particular deal.

Can you hire a car in the UK with a European licence?

Yes, you can hire and drive a car if you have an EU or EAA Licence in the United Kingdom. If you obtain British citizenship, you will have to exchange your EC/EEA licence for a UK driving licence in order to rent a car in Great Britain.

How much does it cost to hire a car if you are under 25 in the UK?

The cheapest under 25 car hire deals start from £53 per day in the United Kingdom. At the same time, you will pay about £318 per week to hire a car in the United Kingdom in you are under 25 years old. In general, the longer your rental duration, the lower the daily price, which makes long-term car rentals more advantageous.

Note that these prices only include the car hire fees and don’t cover the Young Driver’s Surcharge, which you will pay at the counter of the selected car hire company during pick-up.

How to avoid under 25 car rental fee?

It's impossible to find rental car companies with no under 25 fee. Statistically, young drivers incur greater risk on the road due to a lack of experience. Therefore, drivers under 25 years of age are subject to a Young Driver's Fee, which varies by company, location, and specific age.

There are some ways to waive under 25 fee, if you serve in the military or are in government.