Are you planning a road trip for your 17-year-old child and wondering if they can rent a car from Enterprise? As a parent or guardian, it’s natural to worry about your teenager’s safety while they are on the road. This article will explore the rules and regulations around renting a car from Enterprise as a 17-year-old driver.
Understanding Enterprise’s Age Policy
Enterprise has a minimum age requirement of 21 for renting a car. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. Enterprise allows 18-year-old drivers to rent a car but will be subject to a surcharge fee, which varies by location. This fee is typically around $20 per day but can be higher in some areas.
Unfortunately, Enterprise does not allow 17-year-old drivers to rent a car even with the surcharge fee. This is because most states in the United States do not allow minors under 18 years of age to enter into a binding contract. Rental car agreements are considered binding contracts, which means that 17-year-olds are not legally allowed to sign them.
Alternative Options for 17-Year-Old Drivers
While Enterprise does not allow 17-year-old drivers to rent a car, alternative options exist for your teenager to get behind the wheel. One option is to have an adult over 21 rent the car and add your 17-year-old as an additional driver. However, the additional driver may also be charged a surcharge fee.
Another option is to look into peer-to-peer car rental services such as Turo or Getaround. These services allow individuals to rent out their personal cars to others, including 17-year-old drivers. However, it’s important to note that these services may also have age restrictions and require additional documentation or fees.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Enterprise does not allow 17-year-old drivers to rent a car due to legal restrictions surrounding binding contracts. However, alternative options are still available, such as adding your teenager as an additional driver or using a peer-to-peer car rental service. As a parent or guardian, it’s important to research all options and weigh the pros and cons before deciding.
FAQs
- Can a 17-year-old drive a rental car from any company? No, most rental car companies have a minimum age requirement of 18 or 21.
- Is it possible to waive the age requirement for renting a car from Enterprise? No, the age requirement is set by law and cannot be waived.
- Why do rental car companies have age restrictions? Age restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of both the driver and the rental car company. Younger drivers may be more inexperienced and more likely to get into accidents.
- Can a 17-year-old rent a car in any country? No, age restrictions vary by country and rental car company.
- Are there any exceptions to Enterprise’s age policy? Enterprise allows 18-year-old drivers to rent a car with a surcharge fee, but 17-year-olds are not allowed to rent a car at all.