If you are 25 years old or older, you can rent a car using your home country driver's license. If you are between the ages of 18 and 25, you must provide an international driving permit/license (you have to pay a fee to obtain it from the equivalent of the DMV agency in your home country).

Yes, you can legally rent and drive a car in California using a valid driver's license from your home country, provided it is in a language that uses the Latin alphabet (like English, Spanish, or French). California law recognizes foreign licenses for visitors for up to 30 days. However, if your license is in a language like Chinese, Arabic, or Cyrillic, you are strongly advised to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your original license. The IDP serves as a standardized translation and is not a license by itself; you must have both documents present. When you reach the rental counter, you will also need to present your passport as a secondary form of identification and a major credit card. It is important to note that most rental agencies in California require the driver to be at least 21 years old, and those under 25 will almost certainly be charged a "Young Driver Surcharge," which can be an additional $25 to $50 per day. Also, ensure your travel insurance covers third-party liability and collision damage in the U.S., as local medical and repair costs can be extraordinarily high if you are involved in an accident without proper coverage.