Young Driver Fee

A young driver fee is a daily surcharge added when the driver is under a threshold age, very commonly 25. Statistically, younger drivers are involved in more claims, so insurers price that extra risk into the rental.

It is charged per day, so on a long trip it can add up to a meaningful sum. The exact age cut-off and the amount vary between companies and vehicle categories — bigger, more powerful cars often carry a steeper surcharge or a higher minimum age.

It is separate from the minimum driving age, which is the absolute floor below which you cannot rent at all. The young driver fee applies in the band above that floor: old enough to rent, young enough to pay extra.

If you are in that age range, ask up front so the fee is in your quote, and compare agencies — the thresholds and rates are not standardised, and a different supplier can be noticeably cheaper for the same driver.