Before renting a car, there are some important conditions to consider. Car rental companies require certain standards from their users to ensure both driving safety and smooth operational processes. These conditions include criteria such as age, driving license duration, credit card limit, and credit score.
In this content, we will provide you with the most up-to-date and detailed information about car rental conditions, addressing many topics from segment-based rental rules to young driver applications in a clear and explanatory language.
A user who wants to rent a car must have a valid Class B driving license for at least 1 year. In addition, the minimum age limit is generally 21. These standard conditions apply to all economic segment vehicles.
For higher segments, the age and driving license duration requirements increase. For example, individuals who want to rent premium or luxury vehicles are generally expected to be 27 years old and have a driving license for a minimum of 3 years. These criteria are very important for safety.
Car rental companies accept only personal credit cards to manage security deposits and payment flow processes. Cash, debit cards, or virtual cards are absolutely not valid. In addition, for the reservation to be finalized, the credit card limit must be sufficient to cover the rental fee and deposit.
In addition to a credit card, a certain credit score is also required for car rental. It is mandatory to have a credit score above the medium-risk group. Especially for luxury vehicles, this score is desired to be 1500 or higher. This situation allows the company to minimize financial risk.
Vehicles in the economic segment generally have the most flexible rental conditions. To rent such vehicles, it is sufficient to have a driving license for a minimum of 1 year and be 21 years old. In addition, young drivers between the ages of 19-21 can use these vehicles by paying an extra fee.
Economic cars are popular especially among students and individual users due to their fuel efficiency and low daily rental fees. If you are a new license holder, this segment can be an ideal starting point for you.
| Segment | Minimum Age | Minimum Driving License Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 21 | 2 years |
For comfort class, the conditions applied to mid-segment vehicles become slightly stricter. To rent a vehicle from this segment, you must be at least 23 years old and have a driving license for 2 years. Individuals between the ages of 21-23 can access these vehicles by paying a Young Driver Fee.
The comfort segment consists of vehicles that offer both performance and comfort. In this class, which is frequently preferred for business trips and family holidays, safety measures and driving experience are very important.
| Segment | Minimum Age | Minimum Driving License Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 23 | 3 years |
For luxury vehicles and premium segment rentals, age and driving license duration conditions are stricter. For the luxury group, a minimum age of 27 and a driving license duration of 3 years are required. The same conditions apply to renting premium segment vehicles, but limited access may be granted to those aged 25 with a 3-year driving license through the Young Driver Application.
This segment is generally preferred for special occasions, protocol services, or long journeys. Rental conditions generally require a higher credit score and more collateral.
| Segment | Age Limit | Minimum Driving License Duration | Young Driver Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury | 27+ | 3 Years | No |
| Premium | 27 (paid for ages 25-27) | 3 Years | Yes |
The definition of a young driver is determined by age range and driving license duration. Generally, individuals aged 19-21 are considered young drivers for economic vehicles, users aged 21-23 for comfort segment vehicles, and drivers aged 23-25 for prestige segment. This application does not apply to drivers outside these age ranges.
The table below shows the age and segment matches that can be considered within the scope of young driver:
| Segment | Young Driver Age Range | Required Driving License Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | 19-21 | 1 Year |
| Comfort | 21-23 | 2 Years |
| Prestige | 23-25 | 2 Years |
| Premium | 25-27 | 3 Years |
Young drivers must pay an additional fee to access certain vehicle segments. This fee is added to the rental price on a daily basis and serves as a security deposit against driving risk. Each company determines this fee according to its own pricing policy.
Individuals who will benefit from the young driver application are also expected to present an identity card, a valid driving license, an appropriate credit score, and a personal credit card. The rental process cannot be started without these documents.
If the vehicle is to be used by someone other than the person who rented it, the additional driver service option should be preferred. The additional driver must also meet the car rental conditions (e.g., age and driving license duration). In addition, the additional driver must be added to the rental agreement and have their signature.
If the person not included in the rental agreement causes an accident while using the vehicle, all insurances are considered invalid. In this case, both the renter and the user become legally and financially responsible.
For rented vehicles, the full tank principle applies. The vehicle is given to the customer in this way and is expected to be returned in the same way. In cases of return with insufficient fuel, a service fee is charged in addition to the fuel cost.
If the vehicle return time is delayed, a grace period of up to 59 minutes is granted. If this is exceeded, an additional day's fee is charged. A one-way fee may also be charged if the delivery is intercity.
If the "Pay Now" option was used during online reservation, the customer must immediately pay the total rental fee and the selected additional service fees. This payment can only be made with a personal credit card. The reservation holder must be present in person during the rental and present their own credit card.
If the reservation is canceled up to 24 hours in advance, the full amount will be refunded.
If canceled less than 24 hours in advance, the following deductions apply:
The deposit amount varies according to the vehicle segment, and it is mandatory that this amount is available on the credit card with a sufficient limit. For unused or extra service-free situations at the end of the rental period, the deposit refund is made within 3-5 business days.
