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Planning a trip to Hawaii and want to know if you can rent a car? As one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S., Hawaii has specific laws around renting vehicles that you need to be aware of.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: In Hawaii, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a car. Some companies may have stricter age requirements or charge extra fees for younger drivers.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about renting a car in Hawaii as a tourist, including age requirements, driver’s license rules, additional fees for younger renters, and tips for finding the best rental car deals.
Minimum Rental Car Age Requirements in Hawaii
State Laws on Rental Age
The state of Hawaii does not have any laws that dictate a minimum rental car age. However, that doesn’t mean there are no age restrictions for renting a vehicle on the islands. Many car rental companies still require drivers to meet some age requirements before renting to them.
Rental Company Policies
Most car rental companies in Hawaii set the minimum rental age at 21 years. So generally, you need to be at least 21 to rent a car without any restrictions or additional surcharges. However, some rental agencies allow younger drivers between the ages 18-20 to rent by charging extra underage fees.
For example, companies like Avis, Enterprise, and Hertz will rent to drivers aged 18-20 years for an added daily surcharge of $25. The Alamo policy sets the minimum age at 20 but will also rent to 18-19 year olds for a daily underage fee of $28.99.
There may also be restrictions on the types of vehicles younger drivers can rent. Convertibles, luxury cars, specialty vehicles, and 15+ passenger vans often have higher minimum age requirements of around 25 years old.
In addition, many car rental companies require anyone under 25 to pay extra driver fees ranging from $10-15 per day. This helps offset the increased insurance risk with younger renters behind the wheel.
- The legal driving age in Hawaii is 16 years old.
- There are no Hawaii state laws specifying a minimum rental car age.
- Most rental agencies require drivers to be at least 21 to avoid extra fees.
- Some companies rent to drivers aged 18-20 but charge added underage surcharges.
- Additional restrictions and fees often apply for those under 25 years old.
| Car Rental Company | Minimum Rental Age |
|---|---|
| Avis | 21 years (18-20 permitted with underage fee) |
| Enterprise | 21 years (18-20 permitted with underage fee) |
| Hertz | 21 years (18-20 permitted with underage fee) |
| Alamo | 20 years (18-19 permitted with underage fee) |
So drivers under 25, especially those aged 18-20, should expect to pay extra fees to rent a car in Hawaii. But with some companies relaxing their minimum rental age requirements, transportation is available if you meet the qualifications.
For more information on Hawaii rental policies for underage drivers, visit:
- Avis Car Rental Hawaii Age Requirements
- Enterprise Car Rental Hawaii Age Requirements
- Hertz Car Rental Hawaii Age Requirements
- Alamo Car Rental Hawaii Age Requirements
Driver’s License Rules for Renting in Hawaii
U.S. Driver’s Licenses
To rent a car in Hawaii with a U.S. driver’s license, you must be at least 21 years old. Some rental companies may rent to drivers between the ages of 18-20 for an additional daily surcharge. Your license must have been valid for at least 1 year in your state of residence.
An International Driving Permit is not required for U.S. residents if renting for less than 90 days.
If you are a resident of Hawaii with a valid Hawaii driver’s license that has been issued for at least 1 year, there is no minimum age requirement to rent a car. This allows legal Hawaii residents as young as 16 years old, who have completed driver’s education and testing, to rent cars in their home state.
Driver’s licenses from any U.S. state or territory are valid in Hawaii. If your license is from outside the U.S., you will need either an International Driving Permit or an official translation of your license along with your original license.
International Driver’s Licenses
Visitors from other countries must meet the minimum age requirement of 21 years to rent a car in Hawaii without restriction. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required along with your original valid driver’s license from your home country.
IDPs are valid for driving in over 150 countries worldwide.
Some rental car providers may require an IDP for non-U.S. customers even if renting for less than 90 days. Be sure to check the rental company’s policies. IDPs can be obtained affordably and easily before arrival by applying through an authorized agency like AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance.
An IDP serves as an official translation of your home license. It provides important details about your identification, license class, expiration date, and restrictions in 12 languages so officials and rental agents can easily reference it.
If you do not obtain an International Driving Permit, you must provide an official translation of your foreign driver’s license from an authorized translation service along with your original license. Without one of these documents, you will not be able to legally drive or rent a car in Hawaii.
Underage Fees & Requirements for Young Renters
Extra Fees for Renters Under 25
Unfortunately, most car rental companies in Hawaii do charge extra fees for drivers under 25 years old. These “young renter fees” essentially mean you’ll pay a premium on top of the standard rental rate.
Major companies like Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Alamo typically charge around $20-30 extra per day if you’re 21-24 years old.
The exact underage fees in Hawaii are:
- Avis: $27 per day
- Budget: $23 per day
- Hertz: $20 per day
- Alamo: $25 per day
The good news is some smaller, local rental companies like Discount Hawaii Car Rental and Hawaiian Rainbow Car Rental waive the young renter fee completely as long as you meet their minimum age requirement of 21. So be sure to shop around and compare quotes.
Tips for Renters Under 25 to Save Money
If you fall into that under 25 age bracket, follow these money-saving tips when renting a car in Hawaii:
- Avoid airport locations: Off-airport rental offices tend to have lower base rates to begin with.
- Join loyalty programs: Signing up for free membership clubs like Avis Preferred and Budget Fastbreak can score you discounts.
- Pay now: Pre-paying for your full rental in advance sometimes reduces or waives underage surcharges.
- Extend your rental: The longer you rent, the lower your daily rate usually is.
You can also alleviate rental companies’ concerns by having an immaculate driving record. Come armed with a clean license and no accidents or traffic violations in the past 3 years. Being a safe, responsible driver makes you less of an insurance liability in their eyes.
| Age | Fee | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| 16-20 years | $50+ per day | Not allowed to rent a car |
| 21-24 years | $20-30 per day | Meet company’s age and license requirements |
| 25+ years | No extra fees | Valid driver’s license |
Finding the Best Car Rental Deals in Hawaii
When planning a trip to Hawaii, securing affordable transportation is key to keeping costs down. Renting a car enables visitors to freely explore the islands, but rates can vary widely between companies. Using some insider strategies can help travelers land the best rental car bargains in Hawaii.
Compare Rates Between Companies
The first step is researching prices across providers like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, and Thrifty. Rates differ based on vehicle availability, seasonal demand, and promotional deals.
Some companies offer lower base rental fees while others tack on extras like mileage fees. Taking the time to compare all-inclusive pricing helps determine overall best values.
Travelers can check rates on aggregator sites like Expedia, Kayak, and Priceline which compile pricing from major companies. These sites make it fast to view rate differences across providers in one spot. Their promotion codes can also lead to additional savings not advertised elsewhere.
Look for Discounts and Coupon Codes
Beyond baseline rates, companies entice customers with percent-off coupons and incentive programs. Budget’s BCD codes knock 5-30% off rentals while Dollar’s Triple Upgrade bumps travelers to a larger car for no added cost.
Memberships like AAA and Costco offer rental perks ranging from upgrades to free additional drivers.
Travel deal sites like RetailMeNot provide an aggregate list of the latest coupon codes across rental brands. Codes can offer free days, weeks, or mileage along with tiered percentage discounts. Periodically checking for new codes can lead to major savings.
Consider Airport vs Off-Airport Rentals
Airport rental locations offer convenience but often charge higher base rates and fees given their prime tourism locations. Venturing just a few miles away to neighborhood branches can lead to huge differences.
According to a 2019 Consumer Reports analysis, travelers save an average of 30% renting just 5 miles from airports.
For example, a midsize SUV rented for a week from Enterprise’s Honolulu Airport branch runs around $900. The same vehicle from their Ala Moana Hotel branch, only 1.5 miles away, costs just $585—a 35% savings.
The short Lyft ride to pick up the car ends up far cheaper than absorbing inflated airport premiums.
Conclusion
Renting a car in Hawaii can make navigating between islands and attractions much easier and more flexible during your stay. By understanding the minimum rental age, driver’s license, and insurance requirements in advance, you can be fully prepared before your trip.
The keys are meeting the 21+ rental age, having an approved license, and shopping around between rental companies to score the best deals. With the right rental set up, you’ll be all set to properly explore all the Hawaiian islands have to offer by road!
Safe travels and enjoy the ride!
