Quick Summary:
- Bring a full driving licence and a second photo ID.
- Be present at the Orlando desk when added, with documents.
- Expect deposits or pre-authorisations to change with added drivers.
- Check how cover and excess apply to every named driver.
Adding an additional driver at a US car hire pick-up is usually straightforward, but only if the extra driver arrives prepared. In Orlando, the desk process tends to be quick when all documents match, the additional driver is present, and the payment and cover conditions are understood up front. This guide lists what an additional driver typically needs to bring, what the rental desk will check, and how adding another driver can affect deposits and cover.
If you are collecting at Orlando International Airport, it helps to review the specific pick-up information for your location and supplier before you travel. Hola Car Rentals provides local information on Orlando pick-up points and the general car hire process, including what to expect at the desk. See Orlando airport car hire and car hire Orlando MCO for practical context on arrival and collection.
What documents an additional driver usually needs
US rental companies want to confirm two things about an additional driver, they are legally allowed to drive, and they are the person named on the rental agreement. Requirements can vary by supplier and by licence country, but these are the most common items an additional driver should bring to the counter.
1) A valid full driving licence
Most US car hire providers require the additional driver to present a current, full driving licence at pick-up. Provisional, learner, or restricted licences are typically not accepted for additional drivers. The name on the licence must match the name being added to the agreement.
2) A second form of identification
Many desks will ask for a second ID to verify identity. For international travellers, this is most often a passport. For US residents, it may be a state ID or another government issued photo ID. Even when the lead driver has already presented a passport, the additional driver should expect to show their own.
3) An International Driving Permit, if your licence is not in Roman characters
If the additional driver’s licence is not in English or does not use Roman characters, some suppliers request an International Driving Permit alongside the original licence. The key point is that an IDP is typically a translation, not a replacement, and the additional driver should still bring the original licence.
4) Proof of address, only sometimes
Most tourists will not be asked for proof of address at Orlando pick-up, but in some cases, especially for local renters, the desk may request additional verification. It is uncommon for visiting drivers, but if the additional driver lives in the US and is renting locally, they may want to carry something that supports their address details.
Does the additional driver need to be present at pick-up?
In most cases, yes. The additional driver usually must be physically present at the desk to be added to the agreement. The desk agent needs to check their licence, confirm identity, and capture their signature. If the additional driver arrives later, some companies can add them at a later time, but that generally requires a visit to a rental counter, and not every location can do it easily after the vehicle has left.
Plan for the additional driver to travel with the lead driver to the rental facility at Orlando. At MCO, this can mean using the airport’s rental car facilities and queuing together. If you want a smooth pick-up, it is better to have both drivers there from the start rather than trying to add someone after the fact.
For a quick overview of collection logistics, the Orlando pages can be useful, including car rental Orlando MCO. The operational detail matters because if one person waits elsewhere with luggage while another queues, you may later find the desk cannot add the extra driver without them present.
What the desk will check before adding a driver
Even if the additional driver has the right documents, the rental company may still check for eligibility. Typical checks include:
Age requirements
Many suppliers have minimum age rules for additional drivers, which can match or differ from the lead driver’s rule. If the additional driver is under a certain age, a young driver fee may apply, or they may be ineligible.
Licence validity and holding period
Some companies require the driver to have held their licence for a minimum period, for example one year. This is not universal, but it is common enough that it is worth checking before travel, especially for newer drivers.
Name matching and document condition
Desks may reject damaged, heavily worn, or illegible licences. If the licence has a different surname due to recent marriage or a name change, bring supporting ID that explains the difference, otherwise the desk may refuse to add the driver.
Driving history questions
Most of the time, the desk does not ask for a driving record, but they can refuse service if they believe the driver is not eligible under their policies.
How adding a driver can affect the deposit
When people think about deposits, they often focus only on the lead driver. In practice, adding an additional driver can change the risk profile for the rental company, and that can influence the pre-authorisation they place on the payment card. Here is how it commonly works in Orlando.
Deposits are linked to payment method and risk
The deposit, often taken as a pre-authorisation, is usually tied to the lead driver’s payment card. Adding another driver might not automatically increase the amount, but it can in some cases, particularly if the additional driver triggers a young driver fee or if the supplier’s policy sets a higher hold for multi-driver rentals.
Extra fees can increase the total amount held
If the additional driver has a fee per day, the estimated total rental cost rises. Many suppliers pre-authorise enough to cover the expected rental charges plus the deposit, so the hold can increase even if the deposit element stays the same.
Be ready for bank authorisation behaviour
Some travellers see issues when banks decline a larger pre-authorisation, or when daily spend limits are low. The practical takeaway is that the lead driver should have a card with enough available credit to cover the higher estimate that may come with adding another driver.
Different suppliers can have different deposit and counter processes. If you prefer a particular brand, you can review the Orlando supplier pages for orientation, such as Avis car rental Orlando MCO or National car rental Orlando MCO.
How adding a driver can affect cover and excess
Cover is one of the most misunderstood parts of US car hire, and adding a driver makes it more important to be clear. The essential rule is simple, cover generally applies to authorised drivers only. If someone drives who is not named on the agreement, you may find cover is invalid, and you could be responsible for costs.
Ensure every driver is named on the rental agreement
Even if two people are on the same trip, only those listed as authorised drivers are typically covered. If you intend for your partner, friend, or colleague to drive at all, it is safer to add them at pick-up rather than hoping it will be fine.
Understand what is included and what is optional
Depending on your rental terms, you may have certain cover included, and there may be optional products offered at the desk. Adding a driver can sometimes prompt a new explanation of cover, but it should not silently change what you already have. Read what you are being asked to accept, and ensure any changes apply to all named drivers.
Excess and claims responsibilities are shared in practice
The agreement usually makes the renter responsible, but if the additional driver causes damage while driving, the practical outcome is still that the rental will be handled under the same agreement. That is another reason the correct authorisation is important.
Roadside assistance and incident procedures
It is wise for both drivers to know what to do in the event of a breakdown or collision. If the additional driver is driving at the time, they may need to present the agreement and contact the provider. Keep the agreement accessible, not packed away in checked luggage or buried in the boot.
Common Orlando pick-up scenarios and how to prepare
Arriving on separate flights
If the additional driver lands later, you may be tempted to collect the vehicle first. If you do, expect that adding the extra driver later may require a return to the desk with the additional driver present and their documents. That can mean extra travel time and parking considerations.
One person wants to drive only occasionally
Occasional driving still counts. If you anticipate any driving at all, add the additional driver at pick-up. This avoids disputes if there is an incident on a short, simple trip such as an evening drive for groceries.
International licence concerns
If the additional driver’s licence is close to expiry, replace it before you travel. If the licence is not in English, consider arranging an International Driving Permit in advance, because you cannot always obtain one in the US once you arrive.
Names and travel documents
Make sure the additional driver’s passport name and licence name align. If you have recently changed your name, carry the appropriate supporting documentation that explains the difference.
Checklist for the additional driver at the counter
Before you reach the desk in Orlando, confirm the additional driver has the following ready to hand, not packed away:
Full driving licence, valid for the rental period and legible.
Second photo ID, commonly a passport for international visitors.
International Driving Permit, if required for your licence format.
Availability to sign, expect the additional driver to sign the agreement.
Time buffer, adding a driver can add several minutes at busy periods.
FAQ
Can an additional driver be added later, after leaving the Orlando rental facility?
Sometimes, but many suppliers require the additional driver to attend a counter in person with their licence and ID. It is usually easiest to add them at pick-up.
Does the additional driver need a credit card in their own name?
Usually the deposit is taken from the lead driver’s payment card, but the additional driver must still meet identification and licence rules. Policies vary by supplier.
Will adding an additional driver increase the deposit?
It can. Even if the base deposit stays the same, any additional driver fee or young driver fee can increase the total amount pre-authorised.
Is cover valid if someone drives without being added as a driver?
Typically no. If the person driving is not listed as an authorised driver on the rental agreement, you may find cover is invalid and you are responsible for costs.
What if the additional driver forgot their licence at pick-up?
The desk will normally refuse to add them. The safest plan is for the additional driver to bring their physical licence and ID to the counter.
