There are some important conditions to consider before renting a car. Car rental companies require certain standards from users both to ensure driving safety and to carry out operational processes smoothly. These conditions include criteria such as age, 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, while covering many topics from segment-based rental rules to young driver applications in a clear, explanatory language.
To rent a car, a user must have a valid Class B driver's license for at least 1 year. Additionally, the minimum age is generally 21. These standard conditions apply to all economy segment vehicles.
For higher segments, the age and license duration requirements increase. For example, individuals wishing to rent premium or luxury vehicles are generally expected to be 27 years old and have a minimum of 3 years of driving experience. These criteria are very important for safety.
Car rental companies only accept personal credit cards to manage security deposits and payment processes. Cash, debit cards, or virtual cards are not accepted. Additionally, for the reservation to be confirmed, the credit card limit must be sufficient to cover the rental fee and deposit.
Besides the credit card, a certain credit score is also required for car rental. It is necessary to have a credit score above the medium-risk group. Especially for luxury vehicles, this score is required to be 1500 and above. This minimizes the company's financial risk.
Economy segment vehicles generally have the most flexible category in terms of rental conditions. To rent these vehicles, it is sufficient to be at least 21 years old and have a driver's license for 1 year. Additionally, young drivers aged 19-21 can use these vehicles by paying an extra fee.
Economy vehicles are popular among students and individual users due to their fuel efficiency and low daily rental rates. If you have recently obtained your license, this segment can be an ideal starting point for you.
| Segment | Minimum Age | Minimum License Duration |
| Economy | 21 | 2 years |
The conditions for vehicles in the comfort segment, mid-size category, become slightly stricter. To rent a vehicle from this segment, you must be at least 23 years old and have a driver's license for 2 years. Individuals between 21-23 years old can access these vehicles by paying a Young Driver Fee.
The comfort segment consists of vehicles that offer performance and comfort together. Especially preferred for business trips and family vacations, safety measures and driving experience are very important in this class.
| Segment | Minimum Age | Minimum License Duration |
| Comfort | 23 | 3 years |
Age and license duration conditions are stricter for luxury vehicles and premium segment rentals. For the luxury group, at least 27 years of age and 3 years of driving experience are required. The same conditions apply for premium segment vehicles, but with the Young Driver Application, limited access can be granted to drivers aged 25 with 3 years of driving experience.
This segment is generally preferred for special occasions, protocol services, or long journeys. Rental conditions usually require a higher credit score and more collateral.
| Segment | Age Limit | Minimum License Duration | Young Driver Application |
| Luxury | 27+ | 3 Years | None |
| Premium | 27 (Paid for 25-27 age range) | 3 Years | Available |
The definition of a young driver is determined by age range and license duration. Generally, individuals aged 19-21 are considered young drivers for economy 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.
| Segment | Young Driver Age Range | Required 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 risks. 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 identification, a valid driver's license, an appropriate credit score, and a personal credit card. The rental process cannot be initiated without these documents.
If someone other than the person renting the vehicle wishes to use it, the additional driver service option should be preferred. The additional driver must also meet the vehicle rental conditions (such as age and license duration). Additionally, the additional driver must be added to the rental agreement and must sign it.
If a person not listed in the rental agreement has an accident while driving the vehicle, all insurance becomes invalid. In this case, both the renter and the driver are held legally and financially responsible.
The full tank principle applies when picking up the rental vehicle. The vehicle is given to the customer in this way and is expected to be returned in the same condition. In case of return with insufficient fuel, a service fee is charged in addition to the fuel cost.
If the vehicle return time is delayed, an option period of up to 59 minutes is granted. If this period is exceeded, an extra day fee is applied. If the return is intercity, a one-way fee may also be charged.
If the "Pay Now" option is used during online reservation, the customer must immediately pay the total rental fee and selected additional service fees. This payment can only be made with a personal credit card. The reservation holder must be present at the time of rental and present their own credit card.
If the reservation is canceled up to 24 hours in advance, the full amount is refunded. If canceled less than 24 hours in advance, the following deductions apply: - For reservations between 1-3 days, 1 day's fee is deducted. - For reservations between 4-7 days, a 2-day deduction is applied. - For reservations of 8 days or more, a 20% deduction is made.
The deposit amount varies according to the vehicle segment, and it is mandatory that this amount be available as a limit on the credit card. For situations where no additional services are required or unused at the end of the rental period, the deposit refund is processed within 3-5 business days.
