Quick Summary:
- You can often switch the lead driver at pick-up, subject to approval.
- The new main driver must show licence, passport, and eligibility.
- The payment card usually must match the new main driver’s name.
- Expect possible price, deposit, or insurance changes after the swap.
Yes, you can often change the main driver on a car hire booking at pick-up in Miami, but it is not simply an admin tweak. At the counter, the rental agent is re-checking who is legally responsible for the vehicle, who is paying, and whether the new lead driver meets the supplier’s rules. If any of those pieces do not line up, the agent may refuse the change or require you to keep the original main driver.
This matters in Miami because many visitors arrive on long-haul flights, travel in groups, and realise only at the desk that the person who booked is tired, has a different card, or is not the one who will be driving most. The good news is that counters deal with this scenario daily. The less good news is that you will need the right documents and, in many cases, the right payment card in the right name.
Below is what the counter typically requires to swap the lead driver, what can trigger a refusal, and how to minimise delays when collecting in Miami.
What “main driver” means at the counter
The main driver, sometimes called the lead renter, is the person on the rental agreement who accepts responsibility for the car. Their details are used for security checks, age and licence rules, and the deposit hold. Even if you plan to add additional drivers, the main driver is the one the supplier relies on for payment and liability.
Changing the main driver at pick-up usually means the counter must re-write the agreement. That can affect the price, deposit, and available protection options, because the supplier’s risk assessment is tied to the lead driver’s profile.
What the Miami counter will require to swap the lead driver
Requirements vary by supplier, but in Miami the counter process is typically consistent. Expect the agent to ask for these items from the person who will become the new main driver.
1) Physical driving licence, valid for the full rental
The new main driver must present a valid driving licence at the desk. A photo or screenshot is usually not accepted. The licence must be valid and not expired, and some suppliers look for a minimum period held, especially for certain vehicle groups.
If the licence is non-US, the counter may also require an International Driving Permit depending on the issuing country and the supplier’s policy. Even where it is not mandatory, having it can reduce back-and-forth at the desk.
2) Passport or accepted ID that matches the booking details
In Miami, international travellers are commonly asked for a passport. US residents may be able to use a state ID alongside a driving licence, but a passport is still frequently requested for verification.
The name on the ID must match the name that will appear on the updated rental agreement. If you booked under one name and want to swap to someone else, the agent will need to verify the new person as if they are the renter from the start.
3) A payment card in the new main driver’s name
This is the biggest sticking point. Many car hire suppliers require the card used for the security deposit and payment to be in the main driver’s name. If you change the lead driver, you may also have to change the card presented. In practice, the counter often checks:
Cardholder name, it must match the new main driver’s ID.
Card type, many suppliers prefer a credit card for the deposit hold.
Available funds, the deposit amount may be higher than expected.
If the original booker wants to pay using their own card but will not be the main driver, that may not be accepted. Some suppliers allow third-party payment in limited situations, but it is the exception rather than the rule at airport and city counters.
4) Eligibility checks: age, driving history, and local rules
When you swap the main driver, the agent must confirm the new renter meets eligibility rules. Age restrictions can change the rate and the required deposit. Younger drivers may face surcharges or be restricted from premium cars, SUVs, or certain categories.
In Miami, where visitors sometimes upgrade to larger vehicles for beach trips or family travel, a lead-driver change can also affect whether an upgrade is permitted. For example, a supplier may allow an SUV only if the main driver meets stricter criteria.
If you are comparing locations around the city, it can help to understand how policies are applied similarly across branches, such as SUV rental options in Downtown Miami versus other pick-up points.
Will the price change if you swap the main driver?
It can. Some counters treat a lead-driver change as a re-rate because the primary driver profile affects risk. You may see changes due to:
Age-related fees if the new main driver is under a threshold.
Different deposit requirements based on card type and driver profile.
Protection products possibly being re-offered, or priced differently.
Vehicle group restrictions that force a change of car type.
Even if the base daily rate stays the same, a deposit increase can be the practical blocker, especially if you are using a card with limited available credit.
Common reasons a counter may refuse the switch
Most refusals happen for predictable reasons. Knowing them ahead of time helps you avoid being stuck at pick-up.
Card mismatch
If the new main driver cannot present an accepted card in their own name, many suppliers will not proceed. This is especially strict for airport-style operations and higher-value vehicles.
Missing documents
No physical licence, no accepted ID, or an ID that does not match the name you want on the agreement, can stop the change immediately.
Driver does not meet criteria for the reserved vehicle
If the booking is for a category with stricter rules, the counter may refuse the swap unless you downgrade. That can be relevant if you planned to collect near central areas and chose a premium category. If you are picking up near Brickell, for example, policies can be enforced tightly at busy branches like car hire in Brickell.
Name discrepancies or booking ownership issues
If the booking name and the intended lead driver are clearly different, the counter may treat the original booking as not valid for that renter. Some suppliers will still allow an update, but others may require a new agreement to be created on the spot.
How to make the swap smoother in Miami
Lead-driver changes are easiest when you treat them as a new rental agreement and arrive prepared.
Bring both people to the counter
If the original main driver is present, the agent can confirm intent and reduce the risk of misunderstandings. If the original renter is not there, the counter may refuse to amend the booking.
Have the new lead driver pay, and bring a backup card
To reduce the chance of refusal, the new main driver should be ready to present their own eligible payment card. A second card in the same name can help if the first is not accepted for deposit reasons.
Allow extra time at pick-up
In Miami, queues can be long during peak arrivals. A lead-driver change may add extra verification and paperwork. If you are collecting near the airport corridor or connecting from a central district, factor in that it can take longer than a straightforward collection. Branches serving frequent travellers, such as car hire near the Airport and Brickell area, often process changes, but they still need time for checks.
Be ready for the deposit amount to change
Even if the agent approves the swap, the deposit hold can increase or be recalculated. Plan your available credit accordingly, especially if you are travelling with multiple hotel holds and other pre-authorisations.
Consider whether you only need an additional driver instead
If your goal is simply to share the driving, adding an additional driver can be easier than changing the lead driver. The main driver stays the same, and you add the other person as an authorised driver, subject to licence checks and any applicable fees.
However, adding a driver does not solve the card-in-name issue if the original main driver cannot present an accepted card. In that case, a lead-driver switch may be the only solution, and you will need the new driver’s card to meet the supplier’s requirements.
Special cases travellers ask about in Miami
Corporate cards and company bookings: If a company booked the rental, the counter may still require the main driver’s personal card for the deposit, or may ask for corporate documentation. Policies vary widely, so have the new main driver prepared with a personal card as a fallback.
Debit cards: Some suppliers accept debit cards with extra conditions, such as additional ID, proof of return travel, or higher deposits. If the new main driver only has a debit card, the approval odds can drop, particularly for certain vehicle groups.
Prepaid reservations: Even on prepaid arrangements, the counter often still needs a deposit on a card in the main driver’s name. Swapping the main driver may require reprocessing the agreement and the deposit.
Collecting outside central Miami: Policies are typically consistent, but local branch practices can differ. If you are picking up from another nearby area, it can help to review the branch’s general expectations, such as Enterprise car rental in Doral, while remembering the desk will still follow supplier rules.
What to do if the counter will not allow the change
If the agent refuses to change the main driver, you usually have three practical options:
Keep the original main driver if they can meet the card and ID requirements.
Change the vehicle group or terms to one the new main driver qualifies for, if that is the blocker.
Create a new rental agreement under the new driver, which may mean a different rate or availability.
Ask the agent to explain the specific reason for refusal. If it is only the card requirement, the solution is often as simple as having the new main driver present an eligible card in their own name.
Key takeaway for Miami pick-ups
Changing the main driver at pick-up in Miami is often possible, but approval depends on the new lead driver passing the same checks as if they booked originally. The most important requirements are a valid physical driving licence, matching ID, and a payment card in the new main driver’s name that can cover the deposit. If you prepare those items and allow a little extra time, the swap is usually straightforward.
FAQ
Can I change the main driver at the counter without the original driver present? Sometimes, but it is less likely. Many counters prefer, or require, the original renter to be there to authorise changes and avoid fraud concerns.
Does the new main driver need a credit card, or will a debit card work? It depends on the supplier and vehicle group. In many cases a credit card in the main driver’s name is the simplest option, while debit cards may trigger extra conditions or higher deposits.
Will changing the main driver affect my deposit in Miami? Yes, it can. The deposit is usually tied to the main driver and their payment method, so the hold amount may change after the switch.
Can we just add the other person as an additional driver instead? Often yes, and it can be easier than swapping the main driver. But the main driver still must meet the card and ID requirements, so adding a driver does not fix payment-card mismatch.
What documents should the new main driver bring to avoid delays? Bring a physical driving licence, passport or accepted ID, and an eligible payment card in the same name, with enough available credit for the deposit.
