If you’re planning a vacation to Illinois, you may be wondering about the age requirements for renting a car. Is there an age limit? What documents do you need? in this article, we will answer all of your questions about renting a car in Illinois!
Hertz
J.D. Power ranks Hertz as the best car rental company in North America, and for good reason. Their focus on customer satisfaction means you’ll have a great time renting from them – from start to finish.
Enterprise
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has locations all over the world, so they’re bound to have one close by. Plus, they offer a wide selection of cars – from economy to luxury – so you can find the perfect ride for your trip.
Fox Rent-A-Car
Fox Rent-A-Car is the perfect solution for budget-minded travelers. They offer low rates on all of our vehicles, so you can hit the open road without breaking the bank.
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How Old Do You Have to Be to Rent a Car in Illinois?
To be eligible for a rental car, you have to be at least 21 years old. Some companies may require you to be 25 years old, so it’s best to always check with the company before making a reservation.
ID requirements for renting a car include your passport, a valid driver’s license, or an identification card from a college.
To rent a car, you need a license from your home state or country and a major credit card.
Just as you should not rush when planning a flight with our flight tips and information, you should also consider car rental rules before embarking on your journey.
Renting A Car Under 25 In Illinois
If you are under 25 years of age and renting a car, the company may charge an extra $25 per day to offset the higher risk associated with young drivers.
Here is a list of some car rental companies in Illinois and their young driver’s fee policy:
As you’re looking to find a car rental, be sure to know what fees are involved. Different companies may have different costs for the same fee.
Understanding Illinois age-related car rental restrictions:
- Economics and Compact Cars may be your only options when renting under 25.
- You’d put down a larger deposit for car rentals in Illinois
- You may need to use a credit card when paying, not a debit card.
- You might need to consider additional insurance to be eligible.
If you want to avoid the underage fee, have a friend or family member rent the car in their name. They need to be over 25 and meet all of the requirements, but they’ll be able to do it without any problems.
A great resource for understanding these dynamics in a similar context is this article about renting a car in Oregon. Though Oregon may have different age requirements and policies, it provides an illustrative comparison to Illinois.
Before renting a car, always ask the right questions. What’s the minimum age for renting? Are there any additional charges for young renters? Are there specific cars that young renters cannot rent? For more on this, you may want to check out this post on what to ask when renting a car.
Can you rent a car after age 75 In Illinois?
You can rent a car after the age of 75, but some car companies may require you to provide documentation stating that you are healthy enough to drive. If you are over the age of 70, car insurance companies will most likely not cover you.
For specific information, you should contact the car rental company.
What is the age limit to rent a car in Illinois?
Some car rental companies require you to be over 21 to rent a car in Illinois, so make sure you do your research before reserving a vehicle.
It is not clear how old you need to be to rent a car, but some car rental companies will require a doctor-signed letter saying you are healthy enough to drive.
If you are over 70 years old, you may still need a supplemental insurance from the rental car company in order to be covered by their insurance.
Do I need insurance to rent a car in Illinois?
Consider purchasing auto insurance or including a rider in your personal car insurance when renting a car in Illinois. Either way, it’s recommended to have the option to purchase auto insurance.
There may be an additional charge for renting cars through your insurance. Some policies don’t include coverage of rentals.
CDW/LDW are additional renter’s insurance policies that you may need.
The first insurance is something that will protect you should your rental be damaged or stolen. There are two types: Collision Damage Waiver and Loss Damage Waiver.
Without a damage waiver (CDW or LDW), you will have to pay for any damages that may happen to the rental car.
It depends on the type of vehicle and who you rent it through. Be sure to ask about CDW and LDW when reserving.
When renting a car in Illinois, it is important to consider your age because there are certain requirements for different ages. If you’re under 25 or over 70, there will be particular stipulations.
Renting a Car as a Tourist in the USA
As a foreign tourist in the USA, you can indeed rent a car. The age requirement still stands – you must be at least 21 years old. However, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required, depending on your country of origin.
We recommend checking the rental company’s policy regarding international renters. A useful guide for tourists intending to rent a car in the US can be found here.
What are the requirements to rent a car in Illinois?
To rent a car in Illinois, you must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a valid US or Canadian drivers license.
- It is highly recommended that you carry proof of insurance on you
- Obtain a major credit card to rent a car with
- In case you’re under 25, pay attention to additional fees or surcharges
You must check with the car rental company beforehand to avoid any issues. In order to rent a car in Illinois, you need to meet these requirements.
How to find affordable rates on car rentals in Illinois
There are a few things you can do to find the best rates and discounts on Illinois car rentals.
- You’ll avoid high prices if you book a car in advance
- Be flexible when renting a car in Illinois
- Learn about types of membership cards that might be right for you
- Compare car rental prices and find the best deal
You’ll avoid high prices if you book a car in advance
If you’re planning a trip and need to rent a car, booking as far in advance as possible will help you get the best prices.
Be flexible when renting a car in Illinois
Be flexible with your date to save more money. You can save a lot of money by traveling during off-peak times.
Learn about types of membership cards that might be right for you
If you are a member of any organization, such as AAA, seniors, or military personnel – discounts will be given to you.
Compare car rental prices to find the best deal
To get the best price, it’s good to compare rates of different companies and check your contract to make sure you’re getting a competitive rate.
Tips For Renting Cars In Illinois
Here are a few guidelines that relate to renting a car in Illinois:
- Be sure to compare rates from multiple rental car companies.
- Ask about the young driver’s fee before you book.
- Make sure you have a major credit card in order to avoid any issues.
- Check to see if your hotel or resort offers any discounts on car rentals
- You can prepay for a rental car and usually get a better rate.
- Be aware of fees that drive up the price
- Rent from an off-airport location
- You can fly to a city and then use a rental car to explore remote places.
- Find seasonal sales
- Just go with it
Be sure to compare rates from multiple rental car companies.
Do some research to find the best rates on your car rental. Ask about any potential fees and be sure to prepay for your rental to get the best rates. Off-airport rentals are usually cheaper, so travel during the off-season for great deals, and be flexible with your travel plans to snag a last-minute deal.
Ask about the young driver’s fee before you book.
Depending on your age, the fee for being a young driver can be anywhere from $19 – $30 per day.
You should always ask about the fee for renting a car before booking.
If you plan on renting a car, it is important to know that there are some fees associated with a young driver’s license. These can either be added onto the total cost or they can contact the car rental company themselves.
Make sure you have a major credit card in order to avoid any issues.
Many car rental companies require a major credit card in order to maintain security for their vehicles.
In some cases, you may also have to put down more money in order to rent a car.
Check to see if your hotel or resort offers any discounts on car rentals.
If you are staying in a hotel, be sure to ask about any discounts on car rentals. Many hotels partner with rental companies and can provide guests with discounted rates.
You can prepay for a rental car and usually get a better rate.
To save money, you might want to plan ahead and pay for the rental car before picking it up. If you do that, then discounts will not be applied.
For most car rental companies, you will get a discount if you have already bought your car in advance. This is called a prepaid rate.
If you would like to get the best deal on a prepaid rate, compare prices from different companies and make sure you get the full length of your rental period at a discounted rate.
By providing a down payment, you can avoid last-minute price increases for rental cars. Many companies charge more if you wait to pick up the car.
Be aware of fees that drive up the price
When renting a car, think about the price for the length of your visit (not just one day).
The rate may include or exclude taxes and other fees:
- Gasoline charges
- Damage fees
- Toll charges
- Late return fees
You should be aware of your situation and what the best choice would be for you. You can compare cars across companies by reviewing their features to see which is best for you.
Some companies may charge an additional fee if you’re under 25 years old. This is called a “young driver’s fee.”
So, if you are traveling with others, it might make sense to split the car rental fee among the group in order to save money. However, everyone in your group needs a major credit card in order to rent a car because most rental companies require one.
The best way to save money on a rental car is to add additional drivers.
Rent from an off-airport location
You can save money by renting a car at the off-airport location because that is cheaper than renting a car at the airport. In addition, you will not be charged the high rates of parking found in an airport.
You can fly to a city and then use a rental car to explore remote places.
The cost of renting a car in a big city is less expensive than the cost in a small town, because competition drives prices down.
Find seasonal sales
Renting a car through the off-season is often cheaper, so be sure to plan your trip accordingly.
Just go with it
If you are flexible with your travel plans and look for deals, you may find a last-minute deal that is too good to pass up.
Factors to Consider When Renting a Car in Illinois
Renting a car isn’t just about meeting the age requirement. There are several other factors to consider, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free rental experience.
Insurance
When renting a car, insurance is a must-have. Rental companies provide various coverage options, including collision damage waiver (CDW), supplemental liability protection (SLP), and personal accident insurance (PAI). Remember, insurance can significantly increase the total rental cost. You may also be wondering, can I rent a car without insurance? It’s a valid question to explore further.
Extending a Car Rental
Imagine you’ve rented a car and find that you need it for a longer period than initially planned. Can you extend the rental period? Typically, yes. Rental companies often allow for extensions, although there will be additional charges. More on this topic is covered in this article about extending a car rental.
Renting a car in Illinois, or anywhere else for that matter, should be a straightforward process. The key is to understand the requirements and make sure you’re well-prepared before setting off on your journey. Here’s to smooth and stress-free travel!
Wrapping Up
When it comes to renting a car, it’s important to do your research and find a company with the best deals. Research how much discounts they offer or if they have packages that give you certain rates. Be aware of any fees that drive the prices up and be flexible with your plans, this could lead to better rates.