Budget wants to charge $25/day for me to be an extra driver.
Avis would force me to be the main driver, and pay $25/day for being <25.

Mom won't fly, and can't drive long distances - so if I were 25+, we wouldn't have to pay anything extra for me to be a driver for someone with a disability.

Anyone know of rental car companies who don't have the underage surchage, if you are driving someone with a disability?

I'm calling around, but it seems like they all hired their CSRs from special ed classes down east.

[Edited on August 16, 2006 at 2:30 PM. Reason : lkj]

8/16/2006 2:28:40 PM

don't tell them you're going to drive ? i think they all charge this fee for the underage driver.

8/16/2006 2:33:40 PM

I've thought of that - I may see just how far my non-owner's policy goes, and if it covers rentals, then we'll probably go that route.

My mom is one of those 'omg you dropped a grape on the floor! gotta pay for it!' honesty types.

[Edited on August 16, 2006 at 2:35 PM. Reason : and she's payin.]

8/16/2006 2:34:33 PM

Would have to talk to individual branches. If you come right out and say that its your main sticking point then someone might let it slide but underage is pretty much universal in how its handled.

Just looked up Traingle Rent-A-Car and found this on their website:

Quote :

"Services for the Physically Challenged Wheelchair accessible minivan: We offer a limited number of wheelchair accessible vans. Options on our van include automatic door and ramp, tie downs for three wheelchairs and more. Visually Impaired: If you have a designated driver that is 21 years of age with a valid driver's license and you meet our pay method requirements there are no additional charges other than the rental fee to get you where you need to go. Hand Controls: Upon request we can attach hand controls to certain class vehicles to give you the freedom you need to get around town. Prior notice will be needed to accomodate your needs. "

http://www.trianglerentacar.com/rent.html

But it seems to only do that for Visually impaired drivers, perhaps they will bend the reules.


Just saw this on Budget's site too:

Quote :

" Rental Policy for Non-Licensed Drivers Renters who cannot drive a Budget car because of a physical disability or impairment must complete a Non-Licensed Renter Form. By signing the form, the non-licensed renter certifies, “I do not possess a valid driver’s license and am unable to operate a car due to a disability.” No proof of disability is required. The customer may rent a car if he or she appears at the time of the rental with an individual who has a valid driver’s license. The individual with the driver’s license will be the sole operator of the car for the duration of the rental, although the physically challenged/disabled customer will be the actual renter. Physically-challenged renters who complete the Non-Licensed Renter Form are exempt from any additional driver charges, and the authorized driver is exempt from any local additional driver requirements, if any. There will not be an underage surcharge for these rentals, when either the disabled renter or the authorized driver is over the age of 25. If both the disabled renter and authorized driver are under 25, an underage surcharge will apply. If either the disabled renter or authorized driver is under 25, in order to avoid the surcharge, the elder of the two must provide proof of date of birth."

[Edited on August 16, 2006 at 2:38 PM. Reason : asd]

8/16/2006 2:38:10 PM

Quote :

"Would have to talk to individual branches. If you come right out and say that its your main sticking point then someone might let it slide but underage is pretty much universal in how its handled."

What it's looking like.
We'll see what we can do. Was just wondering.

8/16/2006 2:41:07 PM

I actually run a rental car operation out over at Fred Anderson Toyota in Raleigh (the one on 70, close to Angus Barn).

I rent and charge no surcharge to people under 25, as long as you're 21.

hit my e-mail or give me a call and I'd love to help!

(919) 571-5114

doflaherty@anderson-auto.com

8/17/2006 1:55:11 PM

I used to be in this abyssmal business as well.

Enterprise may say that they charge this, but they will never do it if you book the reservation and they don't ask for it then. I never charged it in my 2 years of working there.

Also they may charge a $10/day add'l driver charge, but you may get them to come down on it if its immediate family to $5/day or to zero. We wouldn't charge for immediate family at my branch.

8/17/2006 3:14:19 PM

It is my mother's understanding (I know nothing of this) that if you aren't added as a driver, and something like an accident happens, you are completely liable.

Which is why she's insisting on adding me.

Quote :

"but you may get them to come down on it if its immediate family to $5/day or to zero. We wouldn't charge for immediate family at my branch."

It's really the whole 'under 25yo' surcharge that's the issue.

^^thanks!

[Edited on August 17, 2006 at 4:50 PM. Reason : lsjkd]

8/17/2006 4:50:37 PM

Wow, that sucks you don't want to apply as the main driver, but still want to ask tww their opinion on how too.

Have you thought of renting a horse and riding piggyback?

8/17/2006 5:00:30 PM

I thought if you were under 25, you couldn't rent a car, period.
I've always worried about what I'd do if my car broke down on vacation or something.
Is it usually 25, but you can be 21-24 and pay extra?

8/17/2006 11:51:42 PM

^ Places rent cars to 21-24 yr olds some charge a fee for this others don't.

8/17/2006 11:59:17 PM

did you not read any of the thread?????

8/17/2006 11:59:24 PM

^ I just seriously never knew you could be under 25 and rent a car. I thought it was a law or something. It's good to know you can be slightly younger tan 25 and still rent one, even if it is for an extra charge.

8/18/2006 12:05:56 AM

Hell if your car is wrecked, in your name, and you have full coverage, Enterprise will rent you a car through your insurance company. The main requirement at ERAC to rent at 18-25 is that you have full coverage insurance, thats it.

8/18/2006 6:57:16 AM

Like I said I run my rental department here at the dealership and have no surcharge for people under the age of 25.

Hate Enterprise? Despise Hertz? Call me

8/18/2006 7:28:56 AM

Well if you rent what are your prices for CCAR/SCAR/FCAR? Unl. miles inc. or how much extra? What makes and models and years on your cars? Do you offer Damage Coverage and how much is that? Just curious.

8/18/2006 9:15:04 AM

[Edited on August 18, 2006 at 9:17 AM. Reason : damn double post]

8/18/2006 9:17:23 AM

Lets see,

In the CCar category we roll with Corollas with a $34.95/day rate.

FCar - CamryLE RAV4 Limited (and Scion tC and Matrix when we have them) $45.95/day

SiennaLE (van) runs $54.95/day

SUV (Highlander Limited) $54.95/day

FSUV (4Runner V8 Sport Ed.) $60/day

We also have a Hybrid prius that I run at $54.95

Unlimited Mileage applies to all vehicles

Rates flucuate based on duration of rental of course

None of our vehicles get any older than 6months before I flip them into the preowned department.

We don't offers CDWs, I dont trust them, plus they're not cost effective to a small fleet like mine (25 vehicles)

8/18/2006 10:15:24 AM

I rent a car through Enterprise about 1 weekend every month. I book the car online and never check the <25 box. I have never been charged the surcharge, even though they look at my license when I go to pick it up, so I'm sure they know I am 23.

8/20/2006 4:22:37 PM

^good to know! thank you

8/20/2006 5:35:20 PM

^^hell yes, that's what i'm doing

8/20/2006 7:48:25 PM

Rent A Wreck is a good alternative for younger drivers.

8/20/2006 7:54:52 PM

As far as I know, Enterprise will rent to you if you are 21....but I think there used to be a mileage limit of 300 miles/day for under 25 drivers...I don't know if the mileage limit still exists...

[Edited on August 20, 2006 at 9:16 PM. Reason : a]

8/20/2006 9:16:02 PM

check into where you are going.

many off airport (non-name brand) rental car companies will rent to 21+ w/o surcharge.

8/20/2006 10:01:37 PM

I think Hertz is the only car company that you cant rent from if not over 25. The best company is National, Hertz is a dick if you want to renew your contract without coming in....National will fax you the renewal. However, i doubt you would need it for over a month(i work for the FEDS, and been driving a rental car for over a year, national, alamo, hertz, enterprise) Enterprise was also pretty good too, but of course they probably want to keep our business.

nice thing about my job, i can test out cars that i might want to buy one day......

[Edited on August 20, 2006 at 11:06 PM. Reason : w]

8/20/2006 11:05:17 PM

^i've rented from enterprise several times before I turned 25. They only charge an additional fee.

there was a mixup the first time and they charged me an extra day, I called them about it and they refunded me no questions asked.

the next time I rented from them and the guy asked me how everything went the last time I rented I mentioned the mixup in passing (not complaining at all) and he only charged me for one day instead of two.

needless to say I'll be renting from them again...and possibly mentioning that the last time I rented there was a mixup.....

8/21/2006 12:30:54 AM

It is the offices discretion on charging an underaged driver charge. If you do it online and don't check under 25, you should be good. Unless the manager is trying to raise his Net Other and feeling the burn from higher ups to raise his income a little, this will almost never get charged.

What Susie said is the best idea in all seriousness. If they try and hit you just tell them you also have a res with National or whoever the other local rental car company and they'll usually let you ride without the charge to keep you in the door.

Also I have never heard of a 300 mi/day limit for under 25. I've rented to 21 year olds who were headed to NYC, FL, etc. before. So its no big deal.

8/21/2006 7:34:42 AM

eh, i just use my dads National Emerald Club membership

8/21/2006 9:19:32 AM

Thanks so much for all yall's input!

8/21/2006 2:04:08 PM