CAR HIRE FOR SOMEONE UNDER 21 YEARS OLD????

[AreDub]

<span style="color:blue"></span id="blue">I feel as though I have tried every single rental car company out there to try and rent a car being under 21 years of age.

I have a job in Merritt Island, about 40miles East of Orlando International, and I really need to be able to rent a car for the first few days until I can buy a car. I get into Orlando on the Wednesday 17-Sep-08. I know it is fairly short notice, however I have only just got my Visa to be able to work in the States. I start the job on Monday 22-Sep-08 and so I definately need to have some sort of vehicle by then.

Can anyone help me or suggest where I should go to rent a car, being only 20 years old?

Anything would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks<span style="color:navy"></span id="navy">

[steph_goodrum]

Have you tried the link for Car hire on here?

This is the excerpt from the faqs about their young drivers package. I know there were some changes recently so not sure if it is still current but Roger will be able to help. It says you must have held your license for 1/2 full years depending on which comapany.

"Young Drivers Package (YDP) with Alamo and Budget


If you are age 21-24 then you can save money on the young drivers surcharge. Doing this, you can have 1 driver age 21-24 and up to 3 additional drivers age 25 and over. There will then be no additional surcharges for the young driver on collection of the car. Without this, each young driver will have to pay $25 + tax per day on collection of the car, so this is a much cheaper way of booking.

To select YDP, click the "Include Young Driver's Package" box on the main quote page. On your quote, only Alamo and Budget will be displayed and the price will include the underage surcharge for 1 young driver.

The YDP is only available on the Gold option, so if you chose the Silver option the quote will automatically be updated to the Gold option.

On the booking form, the Young Driver must be named as the lead driver.

The YDP only allows one young driver to pre-pay the fee, so any additional young drivers will still need to pay the usual $25 per day surcharge on collection of the car.

Note, drivers under the age of 21 must have held a full driving license for at least 2 years with Budget and 12 months with Alamo at the time of car collection.

[roger]

Until recently we had a deal with U-Save who allowed age 19+, but this is no longer on offer, sorry. I'm not aware of anyone else that allows rentals to under age 21.

[steph_goodrum]

I thought that was the case Roger, should the last sentence be removed from the FAQs so it doesnt confuse or has it been left in case the situation changes?

Rhys
I don't know what work you are taking up but is there any chance your employer might be able to help sort something out? If not at the very least you will need to arrange transfers form the airport to Merritt Island and I would suspect taxis might be quite expensive.

[AreDub]

I have no problem organising transport from the Airport to the Hotel through shuttles etc. Its is not at a great rate but it is there if I need it. The problem comes when I want to get around Merritt Island, as I wanted to spend the first few days getting to know the area, however the way things are turning out, then I might have to spend my time looking for a car to buy. But even that causes a problem as I have no way to get around any dealerships.

I have asked my employer about any car rental agencies or even dealerships that would rent a car to someone my age, but I have not heard back from them.

Thanks for all the information everyone has put in, its all been helpful.

[ShirleyD]

Hi Rhys, how good is your new boss? Both my son and more recently my niece have driven in different parts of the US when they were 18 and staying with families. It seems car insurance in the States is for anyone who has permission to drive the car, so this is probably the only way you will get to drive there until you have a car of your own

[AreDub]

Hi.

I just thought I would let everyone know that I was able to rent a car from E-Z Rent-A-Car which is in Orlando, opposite Wet'n'Wild on Nrth International drive.

I think the reason I was able to rent it from these guys is that they are not based at Orlando International Airport, meaning that they do not have to follow the guidelines that MCO lay down.

Anyway, for anyone else who is in my position, being under 21 years old, then follow this link:

[edited out]

to E-Z Rent-A-Car, and you should be able to rent a car fine.

Thanks again for everyones help.

[Jill]

Glad to hear you have sorted out car hire.

Hope your new job goes well and you enjoy working in America.

[steph_goodrum]

Glad it's all sorted. Hope the new job goes well. How long are you working there for?

[AreDub]

Thanks Jill and Steph.

I am working in Merritt Island for a year, so I will be around for while.

[steph_goodrum]

Rhys

Sounds like it will be a good experience for you. My duaghter worked in the States (Marthas Vineyard) for the summer a couple of years ago whilst at Uni doing her law degree. She had a fantastic time and made some lifelong friends.

Good luck. You'll be well placed towatch the last of the shuttle launches go up won't you. We watched from the wildlife preserve there and had a fantastic view.