Quick Summary
- Only the main driver and named additional drivers on your contract are normally allowed to drive the rental car.
- If an unlisted driver has an accident, the rental company can treat it as a breach of contract and bill you for damage and related costs.
- Hola Car Rentals makes it easy to understand additional driver rules in advance so you can add the right people to your booking.
Who is actually allowed to drive your rental car?
When you collect a vehicle, the contract names a main driver. This is usually the person whose card paid for the booking. In most cases, only that person and any additional drivers listed on the agreement are authorised to drive. If a friend or relative gets behind the wheel without being added, they are technically driving without permission from the rental company.
This matters because the protection on your booking is tied to the contract, not simply to the car itself. At busy airports such as Miami, your car rental paperwork explains exactly who may drive and what documentation they must show. Hola Car Rentals helps you review these details online before you ever reach the desk.
What if an unlisted driver just drives for a minute?
It can be tempting to let someone else take the wheel for a short stretch, especially if you are tired or nervous about city traffic. However, from the rental company’s point of view there is no such thing as just a minute. Either a driver is authorised on the contract or they are not. If something happens while an unauthorised person is at the wheel, the company may argue that the agreement has been breached.
Consequences can range from losing the benefit of your damage waiver all the way up to being held responsible for the full cost of repairs and associated fees. Even if the car escapes without a scratch, having an unauthorised driver involved in a traffic stop can create paperwork headaches that slow down your holiday.
Accidents and damage with an unauthorised driver
In the worst case scenario, an unlisted driver has a collision or causes damage in a car park. The rental company and their insurers will look at who was named on the contract at the time of the incident. If the driver’s name is missing, they may treat the situation as if the vehicle was being used outside the agreed terms and conditions.
Practically, this can mean that the excess on your booking no longer applies and the company pursues the full repair bill and loss of use charges. Third party claims can also become more complicated. This is why Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends taking a proactive approach to additional drivers, particularly on longer trips where fatigue or night driving makes sharing the wheel more likely.
What to do if an unlisted driver has already driven
If someone has already driven the car without being named and nothing happened, the best step is to avoid repeating the situation. Speak to the rental company about adding them properly if you know they may need to drive later in the trip. There may be a fee, but it is almost always cheaper than facing a disputed claim.
If an incident has already occurred, honesty is crucial. Provide clear information to the rental company, the police if they are involved and Hola Car Rentals. Trying to hide who was driving can make matters worse and could breach local laws. The sooner everyone has accurate information, the easier it is to reach a fair outcome.
Adding additional drivers the right way
Most rental companies allow you to add one or more extra drivers as long as they meet the age and licence requirements and present their documents at the desk. There is often a daily fee, though some partners waive this for a spouse or domestic partner. When you search offers from Hola Car Rentals you can see whether additional drivers are included or how much they cost.
For a deeper look at the rules, including which relationships and loyalty schemes can reduce fees, the guide on additional driver policies is a useful companion. It is particularly handy if you plan to share long interstate drives or rotate drivers on a city break that starts at a San Francisco branch and ends at a New York JFK branch.
FAQs
Can my spouse drive the rental car without being listed? In some US states and with some brands, a spouse or domestic partner may be allowed to drive without a separate fee, but they still usually need to be recorded on the contract. Always check your specific terms rather than assuming they are automatically covered.
Is it okay for an unlisted driver to move the car a short distance, for example in a hotel car park? Technically, anyone who drives the car should be authorised. Even a short move could lead to damage or an incident. The safest option is to have only named drivers move or park the vehicle.
Can I change who the main driver is after pick up? Most of the time, the main driver remains the person who signed the contract and provided the card. Changing this later can be difficult or impossible and may require closing and reopening the rental. If you think another person should be in charge of the booking, set this up with Hola Car Rentals before you confirm.
To enjoy the freedom of the open road without worrying about who holds the keys, build your next booking with Hola Car Rentals and add the right drivers from day one.
