Renting a car under 25 in Toronto has a reputation for being hard or expensive. Many companies set the minimum age at 21 or 25, and some only let younger drivers take a few small cars. CarmaCars rents to drivers 18 and older, on almost every car in the fleet. This guide explains the rules, the fees and the small things that make a first rental go smoothly.
Who can rent
You can rent if you are 18 or older on the day of pickup and hold an Ontario G2 or G licence that is valid for the whole rental. A G2 licence is fine: you do not need your full G. Your licence must be the original card, not a photo, and the name on it must match the name on the booking and the credit card.
Each car's page says whether it takes drivers aged 18 to 20. Almost all of them do. If a car does not, the request form tells you before you send it.
The young driver fee
Drivers under 26 pay a young driver fee for each day of the rental. There are two age bands:
- Ages 18 to 20: usually $35 a day
- Ages 21 to 25: usually $20 a day
Some cars have their own fee, shown on the car's page. There is no maximum, so a long rental adds up. The fee is a separate line in your offer, and you see the total before you pay anything. If you add another driver under 26, the fee applies to them as well.
What you need before pickup
You need a credit card in your own name. It pays for the rental and holds the deposit, which is taken about 1 hour before pickup, never when you book. Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted, and a parent's card cannot be used for your rental.
Before pickup we check your identity. You upload photos of the front and back of your licence and a selfie, and a member of our team compares them. It takes a few minutes of your time, and it means the handover itself is quick.
For damage to the car, you need one of three coverage options in place before pickup. Our requirements page explains each one. Third-party liability coverage is already included in the rate.
On the day
We meet you with the car, at our location or at your address. We check your original licence and the card you paid with, then walk around the car together. Point out every mark you see, even a small one: we photograph each one, and those photos protect you at the return. Ask about anything you are unsure of, such as how to open the fuel door or connect your phone.
Avoiding surprise charges
Most extra charges on a first rental come from a few things:
- Fuel. Return the car with the same fuel it had at pickup. If it is lower, we refuel it at the pump price plus 25%, plus a $25 service fee.
- Tolls. The 407 ETR has no booths. Cameras read the plate and the toll is billed to us weeks later. We charge it at cost plus $15 for each notice. Most map apps have an option to avoid tolls.
- Kilometres. Each car includes a daily allowance, added up over the rental. Past it, each kilometre costs between and , depending on the car.
- Late returns. Tell us early if you are running late. The agreement explains how a late return is charged.
- Parking and speeding tickets. They are yours, plus $40 for each one we process.
Adding a second driver
If a friend or partner will share the driving, add them to your request. Every driver meets the same rules: the age, an Ontario G2 or G licence and the identity check. Each additional driver costs 25% of the daily rate for each day, and a driver under 26 also pays the young driver fee. Only drivers named on the agreement may drive the car, so add everyone before pickup.
If something goes wrong
Roadside assistance is included around the clock. If the car breaks down, get to a safe place and call the number on your agreement. After a collision, make sure everyone is safe, call the police if anyone is hurt, take photos, and tell us as soon as you can. Young drivers are not treated differently here: the same rules and the same deductible of $2,500 apply to everyone.
Getting the best price
Book a week rather than a few separate days: a trip of 1 to 6 days is capped at the weekly rate. If your plans are fixed, the non-refundable option takes 10% off the rental charge. And if you can collect the car from our location, you save the delivery fee.