Last Updated on July 22, 2025 by AutoSlash Staff
Renting a car in Georgia? Whether you’re renting a car to catch a Braves game in Atlanta, explore Stone Mountain Park or visit sultry Savannah, having your own wheels provides flexibility and convenience. Here’s what to know about car rentals in Georgia.
Minimum Age to Rent a Car in Georgia
Major Car Rental Companies: At most rental car companies, the minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21. However, there are a few exceptions. Hertz will rent cars to drivers as young as 20 in Georgia and other states. Drivers under 25 can expect to pay a daily “young renter” fee in addition to the rental charges. To avoid the young renter fee, consider joining the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) if you qualify.
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Other Options: For renters under 20, car sharing platform Turo is a solid alternative. Turo requires U.S. drivers to be at least 18 to book a trip, but at least 21 to book a vehicle with a market value of more than $20,000. Like traditional rental car companies, Turo also requires drivers to pay a young renter fee. For drivers under 21, that fee starts at $50 per day, which reduces to $30 per day and up for ages 21-24. Drivers 21 and under must buy a Turo protection plan.
What Do You Need to Rent a Car in Georgia?
Driver’s License: To rent a car in Georgia, drivers need to show a hard copy of a valid driver’s license. Rental car companies generally do not accept digital licenses in any state as a replacement for a physical license.
Credit or Debit Card: Renters also have to show a credit or debit card to cover the estimated reservation charges and a deposit, which can vary depending on the rental car company, location and type of vehicle. If renting with a debit card, some companies might request an additional form of identification and require proof of return travel at airport locations. Some locations may not accept debit cards at the start of a reservation, and young renters may not be able to pay with a debit card.
Good Driving Record: Rental car companies may check to verify your driving record at their discretion. While this does not happen to everyone, drivers with a history of reckless driving or multiple accidents should be prepared for the possibility of a driving check before renting in Georgia or any other state.
Georgia Car Rental Insurance Laws
Liability Coverage: Georgia car rentals provide the minimum liability coverage required in the state. However, you may choose to boost your coverage with supplemental liability protection (SLI) for an extra charge.
The current minimum levels of liability insurance in Georgia are:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage per incident
Additional Driver Fees For Georgia Rentals
Rental car companies can charge additional driver fees in Georgia, but rental car companies may waive the fees for spouses or co-workers. Enterprise, Alamo, Avis, Budget and National typically do not charge an additional driver fee for spouses, and Hertz waives the additional driver fee for spouses when the renter is a Gold Plus Rewards member.
Taxes and Fees for Rental Cars in Georgia
Expect to pay state and local taxes in addition to the cost of the rental reservation.
Sales Tax: Expect to pay a combined sales tax, which varies. In Atlanta, state and local taxes are 7.75%.
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax: Expect to pay a 3% excise tax in certain areas of Georgia, such as Atlanta.
Georgia Airport Rentals
You’ll pay additional fees when renting at a Georgia airport, in addition to sales tax, local taxes and any extra charges the rental car company chooses to charge to recoup its costs of doing business.
Concession Recovery Fee: This charge usually equals 11.11% of your bill at facilities including airports, which helps cover the rental car company’s airport fees. Note that at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, the charge is 9.25%.
Customer Facility Charge: Rental car companies may also charge a customer facility fee to maintain the rental car facility. This charge varies depending on the airport.
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL): $5 per day
Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV): $3 per day
Southwest Georgia Regional Airport (ABY): $4 per day
Toll Roads in Georgia
If you’re wondering how to pay for tolls in Georgia, there’s good news — you don’t need to. The only toll roads in the state are for Georgia Express Lanes.
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While you can use a toll transponder to pay for these lanes, we recommend avoiding them altogether. Drivers who do not properly set up their transponder before driving in an express lane can face hefty fees and citations, and the rental car company will likely tack on an additional administrative fee to handle these issues.
Renting a car in a new state can be daunting, but a little bit of planning can help ensure that your next trip to Georgia goes as smoothly as possible.
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