Quick Summary
- Most US rental companies let you add an additional driver later the same day or during the rental, as long as that person visits a branch in person.
- Every extra driver must show a valid driving licence and usually meet the same age and payment rules as the main renter, and most suppliers charge a daily fee.
- Hola Car Rentals highlights additional driver fees and conditions in the offer details so you can decide who really needs to be on the contract.
Can you really add an extra driver later?
In most cases yes. Big brands state that authorised additional drivers can be added at a rental location after pick up, not only at the very start. For example, you might collect a car from San Francisco Airport in the morning, then swing by a city branch in the afternoon so a friend can show their licence and be added to the paperwork. The key point is that the extra driver must appear at a desk in person to sign the agreement.
Enterprise, Avis and Budget all explain that additional drivers need to be present and meet age and licence requirements. Enterprise also notes that adding someone in the middle of a rental is possible, with the system calculating charges from the date they are listed. That means you only pay the extra driver fee for the days when the second person is officially on the contract.
Documents an additional driver usually needs
The extra driver will almost always need to bring the same core documents as the main renter. That means a valid, unexpired driving licence, usually held for at least a year, that matches the name they use on the rental contract. If you are renting with a credit card, the primary card normally stays in the main driver’s name, but some desks may ask to see a matching payment card from the additional driver as an extra safeguard.
Requirements can vary slightly between locations. A young local driver joining for weekend trips around New York might be asked for proof of address when you visit a National desk at JFK, while a partner joining you on a Florida beach holiday could be added quickly at an Avis counter in Miami once they show their licence.
Who pays extra and who is free?
Most US rental companies charge a daily fee for each additional authorised driver, often between US$10 and US$15 per day. There are important exceptions. Spouses or domestic partners are frequently allowed as free additional drivers, especially in states such as California where certain extra fees are restricted. Some corporate and association contracts also waive extra driver fees for colleagues travelling on business.
Because these charges are per day and per driver, they can quickly overtake other add ons such as GPS rental. Before you automatically add everyone in the group, decide who will actually drive and whether one or two named drivers will be enough for comfort and safety.
How Hola Car Rentals helps you plan shared driving
Hola Car Rentals makes it easier to see how sharing the wheel affects the price. Many offers clearly list whether an additional driver is included or subject to a surcharge and in some cases highlight special deals where spouses or partners are free. You can still enjoy benefits such as All Inclusive rates with maximum liability coverage, cashback on tolls and free cancellation up to 48 hours before pick up while choosing the configuration that suits your group.
For longer itineraries, such as coast to coast journeys or multi state loops, having at least two rested drivers can be a safety essential. The Hola Car Rentals article on planning cross country one way trips shows how to combine shared driving with realistic stages so you arrive in the next city fresh rather than exhausted.
Practical tips for adding drivers mid rental
If you know from the start that someone will join you later in the trip, try to plan a brief stop near a branch on the day they arrive. Bring all paperwork to the desk together, including the main rental agreement, the primary payment card and the additional driver’s licence. Expect to spend a few minutes while the agent updates the system and adds any relevant fees from that date onwards.
Whether you add the extra driver at pick up or later in the day, a little planning keeps everything straightforward. Use Hola Car Rentals to compare deals, understand additional driver policies in advance and set up a rental that makes sharing the driving easy and affordable.
FAQs
- Can an additional driver be added without visiting a rental counter? No. Major rental companies require each additional driver to appear in person with their licence so the agent can check identity and have them sign the agreement. Adding someone purely over the phone or online is not normally allowed.
- Can my friend drive the car if they are not on the contract? The rental terms usually state that only named drivers are permitted to drive. If an undeclared driver has an accident, the company may deny cover and you could be personally liable for damage, even if your friend was at the wheel.
- Does the additional driver have to be present at the original pick up time? Not always. Many brands allow you to add a driver later the same day or even mid trip, as long as both the main renter and the new driver visit a branch together.
- Are there limits on how many additional drivers I can add? Yes, suppliers often cap the number of extra drivers, commonly at one or two beyond the main renter. Each extra person usually attracts its own daily fee unless covered by a special offer or corporate contract.
