How To Add an Additional Driver to Your Car Rental
How to Add an Additional Driver to Your Car Rental
When you’re renting a car for a road trip or any occasion, you might not want to do all the driving yourself. Adding an additional driver to your rental agreement allows someone else a spouse, friend, colleague, etc. to share the driving duties legally. Yes, you can add extra drivers to almost any car rental, but there are specific procedures, requirements, and often fees involved. This guide will explain how to add an additional driver to a rental car, what it typically costs, and the rules you need to know across the car rental industry.
Having multiple drivers can make long drives safer and more enjoyable, but it’s important to handle it properly. If someone not listed on the rental contract ends up driving and, say, gets into an accident, you could face serious liability because they were not authorized. Therefore, always officially add any person who will drive the car to the rental agreement. Below we’ll cover the step-by-step process and key considerations for adding additional drivers in the U.S., including examples from major rental companies.
The Basics: Requirements for Additional Drivers
Rental companies allow additional drivers in most cases, but the extra driver must meet the same criteria as the primary renter:
- Valid Driver’s License: The additional driver must have a valid, unexpired driver’s license and show it at the counter. The license should be in good standing (no suspensions).
- Minimum Age: They must satisfy the rental company’s age requirements. This is usually 25 or older in the U.S. for no restrictions. Many companies will allow younger drivers (21-24) as additional drivers, but a young driver surcharge will apply if the primary renter would have faced one. Essentially, if an additional driver is under 25, expect the underage fee to be charged just as it would for a young primary driver (unless a specific company or state exemption applies).
- Present at Pickup to Sign: In general, the person you want to add must be physically present at the rental pickup location to present their license and sign the rental agreement. By signing, they are officially accepting the terms and become an “authorized driver.” You usually cannot add someone who isn’t there in person to sign, because the rental contract is a legal document. (One minor exception: some companies allow a spouse to be added without being present at pickup, as long as you show their license information, but this is hit or miss and often the spouse still needs to be present to sign. It’s safest to assume everyone needs to show up in person.)
- Clean Driving Record (usually assumed): Rental companies typically don’t run a driving record check on additional drivers at the counter (they often don’t even do it for primary drivers unless you’re paying with a debit card, which can trigger a check). However, all drivers should have a reasonably clean record. If an additional driver has recent DUIs or major violations that somehow come to light, the company could refuse to add them. Generally though, if their license is valid, they will be allowed. The rental agreement fine print usually states that all drivers must meet the company’s driver eligibility requirements, which include having an acceptable driving record.
How many additional drivers can you add? Policies vary by company, but typically you can add at least one or two extra drivers per rental. For example, Avis allows up to two additional drivers per rental. If you have a large group with several potential drivers, you might be able to add more by special request at some agencies, but each must meet the requirements and each may incur a fee. There may also be practical limits (the contract has limited space for names/signatures). Always check with the rental agency if you need more than one or two extra drivers.
When and How to Add the Additional Driver
The process to add an authorized driver is straightforward:
- During the Reservation Booking: Some rental companies’ websites let you specify additional drivers when you make the reservation online. For instance, during the online booking flow you might see an option to add an additional driver and, in some cases, even pre-pay the fee. If you select this, you’ll still need to have that driver present at pickup to show ID and sign, but it speeds things up. You may be asked to fill out an “additional driver form”. If the booking system doesn’t have this feature, don’t worry you can simply handle it at the counter.
- At the Rental Counter (Pickup Time): This is the most common scenario. When you arrive to pick up the car, tell the rental agent you have an additional driver. The agent will ask to see the person’s driver’s license and will add their name and license details to the rental agreement on the spot. Both of you (primary and additional driver) will sign the contract. It only takes a few extra minutes. Important: the additional driver must be present with their license in hand to be added at pickup (except possibly a spouse in some cases, as noted). If your extra driver isn’t there, most companies will not allow you to add them later over the phone. They would have to visit a rental office in person.
- Adding a Driver After Pickup (Mid-Rental): Maybe you started the trip alone and later decided someone else should drive, or your spouse joined you later. Can you add a driver after you’ve already picked up the car? Yes, typically you can, but it requires bringing the person to a rental office. You should take the car and the prospective driver to a nearby rental location for the same company and request to add an additional driver. They will verify the license and have them sign an updated contract. You cannot simply do this by phone or online the person must show up with their ID. Also, note that the fee (if any) would be charged from that point forward (they might prorate it, or charge the full fee regardless policies vary).
What Are the Fees for Additional Drivers?
Here’s the part most people care about: cost. In many cases, rental companies charge an additional driver fee for each extra person you add. This is usually a daily fee added on top of the rental rate. The fee covers the extended liability of the rental company (more drivers means more risk of an incident).
Typical additional driver fees in the U.S. range from $10 to $15 per day, per driver. The good news is that most companies cap the fee after a certain amount of days so you don’t pay indefinitely on long rentals. For example, Avis and Budget charge around $13 per day, but cap it at $65 maximum per rental. That means if you rent for two weeks, you’ll pay the fee for the first 5 days (5 x $13 = $65) and no more beyond that. Enterprise and National have slightly lower fees (around $10-$12 per day) but might also cap at a certain point. Always check the specific company’s policy:
- Avis/Budget: ~$13 per day per additional driver; max $65 per rental. (New York state is an exception law caps it at $3 per day in NY.)
- Enterprise/National: Around $10-$12 per day; Enterprise’s fee is about $10, National’s averages $12. Caps may vary; Hertz, for instance, had a high cap (~$189) given a $13.50 daily fee.
- Others (Alamo, Thrifty, etc.): Roughly in the $10-$15 range as well. Some discount brands don’t publish the fee openly (Thrifty/Dollar often say “varies by location”), but expect similar charges.
Are there cases where you don’t have to pay the fee? Yes a few important exceptions can save you money:
- Spouse or Domestic Partner: Many major rental companies waive the additional driver fee for a spouse (husband, wife, or domestic partner). In fact, in certain U.S. states, rental companies are required by law to allow your spouse to be an authorized driver for free. For example, California law forbids charging extra for any authorized driver, including spouses. Other states like Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Texas, New York, etc., have laws prohibiting the fee for a spouse or immediate family. Even in states without such laws, most companies’ internal policies will not charge for a spouse or partner. Avis explicitly states a spouse/partner 25 or older with a valid license can drive at no extra charge. Enterprise and Budget also include spouses or domestic partners for free nationwide. Always inform the rental agent if the additional driver is your spouse/partner they should note it and waive the fee if applicable.
- Immediate Family (on leisure rentals in some states): As mentioned, some states (like California) extend the no-fee rule beyond spouses. For instance, Budget notes that in California they cannot charge for an additional driver who is the renter’s parent, child, or sibling either. Not every company offers that broadly, but it’s worth knowing if you’re renting in those states.
- Corporate or Business Rentals: If you’re renting under a corporate account or contract, additional drivers who are co-workers or employees traveling with you for business are often free. Companies like Avis and Budget waive fees for employer or employee additional drivers on business rentals. National Car Rental also waives the fee for business associates if it’s a company rental agreement. The idea is if your company has a negotiated rate, it usually includes free extra drivers who are on the same business trip.
- Membership Programs and Perks: Certain memberships can get fees waived. For example, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members can add a spouse or domestic partner for free as a built-in perk. Some other rental loyalty programs (like National’s Emerald Club) and even third-party memberships like AAA or Costco Travel deals can include free additional drivers. AAA in particular has arrangements with Hertz (and its sister companies Dollar and Thrifty) to waive the additional driver fee for AAA members this can save you a lot if you rent often. Always check membership benefits: if you or the person traveling with you has a membership, you might avoid the fee.
- Disabled Renter’s Surrogate Driver: As discussed in the first blog, if the primary renter has a disability and cannot drive, the driver (surrogate) that they designate is usually exempt from fees. All major companies waive the additional driver charge in this case to accommodate the Americans with Disabilities Act. You may need to fill out a simple form declaring the non-licensed renter’s status, but you should not be charged for the accompanying licensed driver.
In any case, it’s wise to ask about fees upfront: “Is there a fee for an additional driver, and are any categories exempt?”. Rental agents will be used to these questions, and it ensures you’re not caught off guard on the price.
Rules and Tips for a Smooth Experience with Additional Drivers
Once you’ve added your extra driver(s), keep in mind the following rules and best practices to stay within the rental agreement terms:
- Only Authorized Drivers May Drive: This sounds obvious, but it’s worth emphasizing. Do not let anyone who isn’t on the rental contract drive the car, even briefly. If an unauthorized person drives and something happens (accident, damage, ticket, etc.), you could be in violation of the contract. The rental company can hold the primary renter fully responsible and may void any insurance or damage waivers you purchased. It’s simply not worth the risk. So if there’s even a chance someone else will take the wheel, add them officially, even if it costs a bit more. For example, if you’re doing a long drive and think you might get tired and have your friend drive for an hour add your friend as a driver from the start. It protects you legally. Rental agreements explicitly restrict driving to the renter and documented additional drivers.
- Understand Liability and Coverage: The good news is that once a person is properly added as an additional driver, any insurance or coverage you have on the rental (whether it’s the included state-minimum liability, any optional insurance you bought, or coverage from your personal auto policy or credit card) applies to them as well. Authorized additional drivers are treated the same as the renter in terms of coverage. If they crash the car, it’s as if you did you’re both covered by the damage waiver or insurance (assuming no contract breach). The primary renter is still ultimately responsible for the car’s condition, but you won’t be automatically hung out to dry just because someone else was driving, as long as they were an authorized driver.
- Plan for Pickup: Make sure any additional driver comes with you to the rental counter and brings their driver’s license. This might require planning if, for example, you’re arriving on a flight separately. If they can’t be there exactly at pickup time, you might add them later (as described earlier, by going to an office). But it’s easiest to do it at the start. If the additional driver has a different last name or address (say it’s your spouse with a different last name, or a friend), sometimes it can help to bring proof of relationship or shared address if you are trying to get a fee waived (like for a domestic partner, some companies accept proof of same address on the license as evidence of partnership). Generally, though, it’s straightforward no extra paperwork beyond filling out the contract with their info.
- Know the Local Laws: We touched on state laws regarding fees. It’s good to be aware of them. California, for instance, prohibits any additional driver fees for any authorized driver (so you shouldn’t be charged at all for extra drivers in CA rentals). New York caps the fee at $3/day. Other states mandate free spouse/additional driver in certain cases. If you’re renting in those states and the agent tries to charge a fee that’s not allowed, politely point out the law or that their own company policy should waive it. Being informed can save you money.
- One-Way Rentals & Long Trips: If you’re planning a one-way cross-country drive or any long road trip, having at least one additional driver is wise. Fatigue is a safety hazard. While it might increase the cost, the ability to rotate drivers can be invaluable. Some rentals through organizations like Costco Travel include one free additional driver as part of the package, which is great for road trips. Check if your booking channel or coupon includes this perk.
- Return Doesn’t Require Both Drivers: When returning the car, it typically doesn’t matter who actually drives it back to the drop-off location. As long as one of the authorized people (primary or additional) returns the vehicle, the check-in will proceed normally. You don’t both need to be present to return it. Just make sure the car is only driven by authorized individuals up until it’s handed back in.
- Documentation: Keep a copy of the rental agreement with the names of all authorized drivers. In the rare event you need to prove to a police officer or someone that you’re an authorized driver, having the contract could be useful. Usually, though, just being on the contract is enough and the rental company has it on file.
- Fees and Budgeting: If you’re on a tight budget, consider the duration you actually need the second driver. If it’s only one day out of a week trip (e.g., one long driving day), you might add them just for that day. But beware: some companies charge the fee for the entire rental regardless of actual days used. Others might allow prorating if you add mid-rental. It can be complicated, so it might be simpler to just include them throughout. If avoiding fees entirely, leverage those spouse/partner exemptions or memberships. For example, if you’re married and under 25, note that some companies might waive the underage fee for a spouse driver too policies vary, but always ask.
Why It’s Important to List Every Driver
It might be tempting to save money by not disclosing an extra driver (thus avoiding the fee) and just handing them the keys when you’re on the road. Resist that temptation. As noted, if an unlisted driver has an accident, you could face severe consequences: the rental company can declare a breach of contract, meaning loss of any damage waiver and insurance protection. They can hold you financially responsible for all damage. They might even charge hefty penalties or void any liability coverage, which could put you at risk of lawsuits for accidents. It’s not worth it.
The rental car is not like your personal car or a friend’s car where anyone with permission can drive. It’s governed by a contract. Rental contracts usually state that only the renter and officially authorized additional drivers can operate the vehicle. So always play by the rules: if someone might drive, add them. Even if they only drive an hour out of a weeklong trip, having them on the contract protects you. Think of the additional driver fee as part of the cost of a safe trip.
Conclusion
Adding an additional driver to your car rental is a common and simple process just do it at the counter (or during booking), have the driver present their license, and sign the agreement. Be prepared to pay a bit extra in fees unless they fall under a free category like a spouse or corporate partner. The peace of mind is usually worth it. All drivers will then be properly authorized and insured to operate the vehicle, which means you can share driving duties legally and safely.
Before you hit the road, double-check the rental agreement to ensure all names are listed. Once that’s done, you’re free to hand over the keys when you need a break, and your road trip (or whatever journey you’re on) will be smoother for it. Safe travels!
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