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Hire car for a 19 year old?

My car seems to have blown its headgasket, and will likely have to be towed away to a garage to be fixed, which may take a few days.

I'm living in halls, and I need to be able to buy food and get my washing done. The nearest supermarket is about 1.6 miles away, and I usually drive there, I couldn't imagine having to carry heavy bags all the way back, especially in this weather, so I need a set of wheels to prevent me from starving to death in dirty clothes. Getting to lectures isn't a problem because there's a coach to take me.

The trouble is, most of the Car hire companies say you have to be 21 or over to hire a car, but I'm sure there are companies that will hire to younger drivers. Anyone had any experiences with this?

Reply 1

username158373

0

18

Can't say i know of any in the UK that are for under 21's. Though, garages sometimes give courtesy cars when yours is in the garage? I've had one, twice while my car was being fixed and i'm 18.

Reply 2

AWSLC

14

ChrisLincoln

Can't say i know of any in the UK that are for under 21's. Though, garages sometimes give courtesy cars when yours is in the garage? I've had one, twice while my car was being fixed and i'm 18.

You will have one hell of a job trying to find a hire car at 19, and even if you do, the cost would be stupid.

Best bet is like the above poster just enquire at the garage, most of them I've been to compensate for this.

Good luck

Reply 3

ch0c0h01ic

18

ms500

The trouble is, most of the Car hire companies say you have to be 21 or over to hire a car, but I'm sure there are companies that will hire to younger drivers. Anyone had any experiences with this?

Yes, there are companies, but the costs (insurance, hiring, etc) are significantly higher. Also when it is completely unnecessary, it is just a huge waste of money.

ms500

I'm living in halls, and I need to be able to buy food and get my washing done. The nearest supermarket is about 1.6 miles away, and I usually drive there, I couldn't imagine having to carry heavy bags all the way back, especially in this weather, so I need a set of wheels to prevent me from starving to death in dirty clothes. Getting to lectures isn't a problem because there's a coach to take me.

1.6 miles really isn't that far, I used to walk a similar distance to and from primary school every day and I probably walk double that at the very least in an around uni every day.

There is nothing to say that you need to get a months shopping all at one go, get enough for a few days, maybe even a week, chuck it in the back of your bag, it really isn't that hard.

If you absolutely can't possibly walk there are buses, taxis, hell if you want to be uber lazy there are even home deliveries. As for washing, your halls don't have a wash room? Your car isn't going to be out of action that long, just put off the washing for another few days/week. If things are really bad why not hand wash your stuff in the sink and/or bath. And again, there is nothing to stop you taking the bus/taxi/whatever to the laundrette (much cheaper than car hire).

Reply 4

icapturethecastle

16

wouldn't the garage give u a replacement car while they fix urs?

... aren't there any buses where ur uni/halls is?

Reply 5

L i b

19

There are these things called 'taxis'. They let anyone hire them for short durations, and are relatively cheap.

Reply 6

Indievertigo

15

L i b

There are these things called 'taxis'. They let anyone hire them for short durations, and are relatively cheap.

Even cheaper options include public transport, and :eek:

walking!

Reply 7

jacketpotato

20

L i b

There are these things called 'taxis'. They let anyone hire them for short durations, and are relatively cheap.

Taxis are relatively cheap???? (!)
Where do you live?!?!?! £15 for a short journey is not cheap!

Reply 8

ms500

OP

10

The garage I'm taking it to is a small one, and I don't think they offer courtesy cars.

It's disappointing that there is so much distrust of young people, I'm a very good driver, better than many older ones. Age is just a number.

Reply 9

ch0c0h01ic

18

jacketpotato

Taxis are relatively cheap???? (!)
Where do you live?!?!?! £15 for a short journey is not cheap!

Compared to hiring a car for however many days if not weeks, yes, they're bloody cheap in comparison.

Plus if you get a couple of people to share you're looking at a couple of quid per person, it works out cheaper than most forms of public transport plus you get there quicker.

Reply 10

tinkerbellejess

13

The taxi company I used to work for, was 4quid for a journey up to 3 miles (this is in London), which would be much cheaper than you hiring a car!

Reply 11

ms500

OP

10

ch0c0h01ic

Compared to hiring a car for however many days if not weeks, yes, they're bloody cheap in comparison.

Plus if you get a couple of people to share you're looking at a couple of quid per person, it works out cheaper than most forms of public transport plus you get there quicker.

I've seen hire cars starting at about £17 a day, that would easily be better value than a taxi if you went far enough. Plus you don't have to hang around waiting for it, just jump in and drive.

Reply 12

ch0c0h01ic

18

ms500

I've seen hire cars starting at about £17 a day, that would easily be better value than a taxi if you went far enough. Plus you don't have to hang around waiting for it, just jump in and drive.

...but I bet that excludes insurance, petrol, etc. Plus we're probably not talking about an under 21 rental company :wink:

Also the OP is only talking about small distances, a 3 mile round trip to the supermarket, probably much the same if not less for the laundrette, in this case a taxi is almost certainly cheaper if we exclude the possibility that she is able to walk and/or use public transport. Hang around for a taxi? You are able to book them these days for specific times, plus if she does get a hire car she has the hassle of going to pick it up and/or drop it off.

In this situation I can't see a hire car being necessary at all unless you can afford to waste money.

Reply 13

Brockmer

yes you can. providing you are 19 and a student if you go to the hertz website and click the 'special discounts' page select 19 year old car hire and book your car.
a corsa is around £30-£40 a day and a focus around £60

Reply 14

dfgdfg

There is a company in London that does car hire for 18+. They are a very reliable company with fast and efficient service with affordable rates (Student rates).
They also have chauffeur driven cars as well as self drive cars. Website is a1vehiclehire.co.uk and instagram a1vehiclehire contact details are on their instagram and website. They are the only company in the UK to do 18+ hire for young drivers.

Reply 15

shadowdweller

Volunteer Section Leader

21

Thread locked - please don't bump old threads :smile:

Hire car for a 19 year old?

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