Rental Car for a driver under 25 years old?

jtt

jtt

Member
Hey guys, I am going to be going to Boston Massachusetts at the end of June and I am going to need a car for 3 days. The problem is that I am 22 years old and even though I am a legal adult and have been for several years, I also have graduated college and am fully independent from my parents, I still have not hit the right of passage which allows me to rent a car without having to pay a "young driver fee" Ive been driving since I was 16, and have never gotten into an accident or even gotten a speeding ticket, and I still need to pay.

Anyway, does anyone know of a rental car place that wont charge a fee for a "student" driver?
 
lovethesea

lovethesea

Active Member
doubtful, especially in Boston. Terrible driving there.
That does stink though. Kind of stupid actually.
 
tr1gger

tr1gger

Member
Alot of places around here dont even let you for under 25. There is no option for a fee. When i was 22 i had my dad rent it for me, and then add you as a driver.
 
renogaw

renogaw

Active Member
yea, you'll have to have your parent sign for the car and add you as a driver. that's going to be the norm
 
jtt

jtt

Member
Originally Posted by lovethesea
http:///forum/post/3057485
I'm thinkin' that is his problem. He will be by himself. No parent to sign up for him.
precisely. my parents will be on the other side of the continent, I havnt needed to have them cosign for anything since I was 15 and getting a cell phone....
 
tank a holic

tank a holic

Active Member
maybe you can have them book the car online and have it ready for you to pick up?
its dumb for you to have to do it but its just a thought....
how much is a young driver surcharge anyway?
 
rdub62

rdub62

Member
yeah here in the GREAT state of NorthCarolina...
38 average surcharge for anyone age 21-25.
NO one under the 21 can rent a car.
and yet! i have to pay it on my insurance as part of my "bundle" under things that i'm covered for.
for example.
when i bought my honda in 05 it has some problems with the headgasket and it led to needing a new engine 2 weeks ago.
so my insurance calls to offer me a rental car i get all excited. they ask for my age and basically say WOOOPS never mind you are not old enough...
i really think they should change this due to the facts that they are losing probably millions of dollars on people under 25 that are covered or are under 21 even. i'm sure high school kids would love to rent a nice car for prom and such as well being it's cheaper than limos... =/
 
rdub62

rdub62

Member
Originally Posted by renogaw
http:///forum/post/3057482
yea, you'll have to have your parent sign for the car and add you as a driver. that's going to be the norm
you are lucky if you can do that where ever you are...here there is no cosigning, and they have to check you license and all your for who is going to be driving the car. so if your parent is on as the driver. and someone else is in a wreck they are held fully responsible. as well as personal insurance will not cover anyone under 21 OR not listed as the rentee...
 
scsinet

scsinet

Active Member
Yeah I'd just be glad that they allow you to rent one at all by paying a fee. Here in GA when I was 20ish I had someone hit me and while my car was in the shop, my parents had to give me one of their cars and drive the rental.
How much is the fee?
If you try the book online option, make sure it's someplace that does charge a fee. That way if you go to pick it up and they realize when you give them your license, you'll just have a fee rather than be SOL.
 
reefraff

reefraff

Active Member
Insurance cos. charge higher rates for people under 25 for a reason. They are young and stupid and will pay it

Statistically you are more likely to do something reckless in a car when you are under 25. The rental companies see the same statistics and charge accordingly.
 
bionicarm

bionicarm

Active Member
Do a search for 'Boston Car Rentals'. I did, and I found this agency that says it'll rent to anyone 21 and older:
http://www.carrentalexpress.com/
Also look up Rent A Wreck. I found this place in Waltham, MA (About 14 miles from Logan). May be a pain to get to, but you could cab it there, and at least have wheels during your stay.
(781) 899-2095
219 Lexington St
Waltham, MA 02452
Nearby this place is this independent rental agency
Sun Auto Rental
(781) 899-4550
945 Moody St # 1
Waltham, MA 02453
Call one of them up. Maybe they'll pick you up at the airport for a fee.
 
uneverno

uneverno

Active Member
Originally Posted by tank a holic
http:///forum/post/3057529
maybe you can have them book the car online and have it ready for you to pick up?
Won't work, the person in whose name the car is rented must present ID and Credit Card when picking it up. If it's a special rate which requires CC to book (essentially prepaid), that same card and matching ID need to be presented at pick up as well.
Afraid you're stuck w/ the surcharge. As a former Travel Agent, I'm not aware of a company that doesn't impose it if you're able to rent at all.
You may be able to get lower rates w/ the off terminal agencies such as National, Dollar or Alamo. Hertz and Avis are likely to be the most expensive.
(Just as an aside, also be aware that most agencies don't like debit cards - they'll take them, but may require that you can prove a certain amount of headroom over and above the rental charge.)
 
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