Quick Summary
- Most US rental companies require the main driver, not a third party, to sign the contract and present their own payment card.
- You can often pay for the booking, but the person who will drive usually needs to be named as the primary renter or an authorised additional driver.
- Hola Car Rentals helps you compare conditions so you can book the right driver combination before you reach the counter.
It is a common situation. You fly into Los Angeles later than your friends, so you think about reserving car hire at LAX in your name and asking them to collect the vehicle before you arrive. Simple idea, but rental contracts do not always work the way you expect.
Why the main driver has to be present
In the United States, the person who signs the rental agreement is legally responsible for the vehicle. They confirm that they hold a valid driving licence, meet the age requirement and accept all conditions, from mileage rules to damage charges. That responsibility cannot normally be handed to someone who is not standing at the counter.
For that reason, most suppliers insist that the named main driver is physically present at pickup with their own credit card. They use that card to place a security hold and to settle extra charges later. Using a card that belongs to someone else who is not there is usually not allowed.
Paying for a rental when you are not the driver
There are still ways to pay for part or all of a rental even if you will not be behind the wheel. Some travellers buy prepaid vouchers or gift cards. Others use company travel accounts where an employer pays and an employee signs as the main driver. In all these cases, the supplier still needs the driver to appear with their own driving licence and usually a card in their own name.
When you book through Hola Car Rentals, the confirmation will make clear who is the contracting party. If your goal is simply to help a family member with the cost, you can often reimburse them by bank transfer or card later instead of trying to put everything in your own name.
Using authorised additional drivers
A more straightforward way to share driving is to add authorised drivers to the contract. The main driver signs first, then extra people show their licences at the desk and are added as additional drivers for a daily fee or, in some cases, at no extra cost. Many major suppliers waive the fee for a spouse or domestic partner in certain states.
If you know that two or three people will take turns on a long drive from New York to the coast, planning the paperwork in advance makes the handovers easier. This detailed additional driver rules explainer covers typical costs, age limits and exceptions when you book with Hola Car Rentals.
When you choose an itinerary through Hola Car Rentals, you can often compare options where the additional driver fee is already bundled into the All Inclusive plus rate. That keeps the maths simple and removes surprises at the desk.
Common scenarios and how to handle them
Parents booking for an adult child. If you want your son or daughter to drive during a Florida holiday, they should normally be the main renter, standing at the desk with their own card. You can still help by choosing a practical vehicle and paying back part of the cost later. Using the Orlando driver details form during booking lets you add their details correctly from the start.
Friends on different flights. If your friend lands at JFK before you, they should usually be the main driver so they can sign and take the keys. You could then be added as an authorised driver when you arrive, as long as the supplier and location allow it. Checking the conditions linked from the New York pickup booking screen helps you plan this.
Paying for a partner who does not like admin. You might prefer to sort everything online while your partner is the one who will drive. In that case you enter their name as the renter during booking, but use your own card to prepay. At pick up, they still show up with their licence and usually a card for the deposit, even if most of the cost was charged in advance.
Documents every driver should bring
Whether you are the main renter or an additional driver, you should carry a full driving licence, passport for identification if you are visiting from abroad and any required International Driving Permit. Keeping all documents together with your booking confirmation makes the desk process much smoother.
If you are travelling from the United Kingdom or Europe, pay extra attention to age limits and minimum driving experience requirements. Hola Car Rentals clearly highlights these points during booking, reducing the chance that an additional driver is turned away at the counter because they do not meet the local rules.
FAQ
Can I book a rental car entirely in my name for someone else to drive? In most cases, no. The person driving must be the main renter on the contract and be present at pickup. You can usually still help pay but the name on the agreement needs to match the person who will control the vehicle.
Can I add an extra driver later if plans change? Often yes, as long as you return to a branch during opening hours so staff can check the extra person s documents. Fees and rules vary by company and state, so always read the conditions in advance.
Can I use my credit card if my partner is the main driver? Some suppliers allow prepaid vouchers or online payments from another person, but the security hold at the desk is usually placed on a card in the main driver s name. Booking through Hola Car Rentals makes it easier to see which options match your situation.
Is it cheaper to have just one driver on the contract? Sometimes. Additional drivers often come with a daily fee, although a spouse or partner may be free with certain brands and locations. Balance the savings against the safety benefits of having at least two eligible drivers on a long road trip.
When you are ready to plan a shared driving holiday the right way, book with Hola Car Rentals. You can compare main driver and additional driver rules across suppliers, take advantage of free cancellation up to forty eight hours before pickup and enjoy transparent prices that keep your plans flexible.
