Quick Summary:
- Main-driver changes are usually possible only via the rental desk.
- New driver must present licence, ID, and an accepted payment card.
- Expect admin fees or a re-rate if driver risk profile changes.
- Never swap drivers informally, it can void cover and contracts.
Changing the main driver mid-rental sounds simple, but in car hire it affects the legal contract, security checks, and how cover and liability are applied. In United Estates, many suppliers will allow a main-driver change after pick-up, but only when the branch processes the change and reissues the agreement. If you simply “decide” someone else is now the main driver without updating paperwork, you risk breaching the rental terms, invalidating cover, and triggering substantial charges if anything happens.
This guide explains when a main-driver change is typically allowed, what the new driver must show at the counter, what fees might apply, and how to avoid a re-rate or accidental loss of cover. For general rental options and supplier rules that often apply across regions, see car hire in the United States.
What “main driver” means in a car hire agreement
The main driver is the person named first on the rental agreement and treated as the primary renter for key responsibilities. In most cases, that person:
Holds the rental contract, accepts the terms, and is the point of liability for damage, tolls, fines, and late fees. Is also the person whose driving history and risk factors, such as age or licence tenure, are used to price the rental and determine deposit requirements.
Additional drivers can be added, but they are not the main contractual party. Switching the main driver is closer to rewriting the contract than adding a second driver, which is why suppliers may treat it as a modification with admin steps and possible re-pricing.
When you can change the main driver after pick-up
Whether a main-driver change is permitted depends on supplier policy, local branch capability, and your rental’s status. Common situations where it is more likely to be allowed include:
At the same branch during opening hours. Most changes must be processed in person at a staffed desk, because identity and payment checks need to be verified.
Early in the rental, before any incidents. If the vehicle has already been involved in damage, roadside assistance, or a violation, the branch may freeze contract changes until matters are resolved.
Where the new driver meets all eligibility rules. If the replacement driver is under the minimum age, lacks the required licence history, or cannot pass verification, the change will be declined.
When the deposit and payment arrangement can be updated. If the security deposit was taken on the original driver’s card, the branch may require a refund and a new deposit on the new main driver’s accepted card, which can take time.
It may be refused if the rental is close to drop-off, if you are far from a branch, or if the booking was made under specific corporate, insurance replacement, or prepaid conditions that limit contract edits. If you are renting larger vehicles, rules may be stricter, see van hire in the United States for common eligibility considerations.
Documents the new main driver usually must present
Branch staff will treat the change like a new pick-up, even if you keep the same car. In United Estates, suppliers commonly ask for the following, and they must be presented in person by the new main driver.
1) A valid driving licence
The licence must be current, legible, and appropriate for the vehicle class. Some suppliers also require a minimum period holding the licence, particularly for SUVs, premium cars, and vans. If the licence is damaged or difficult to verify, expect delays.
2) Valid identity document
A passport or other accepted government ID may be required, especially if the original booking used ID verification. Names must match the booking or updated agreement exactly.
3) An accepted payment card in the new main driver’s name
Even if the original renter paid, the supplier may insist the new main driver provides a card for the deposit and any incremental charges. Many suppliers prefer a credit card, and some have strict rules about debit cards, prepaid cards, and digital wallets.
4) Proof of address or additional verification
Some locations may request proof of address for local renters or additional checks for fraud prevention. It is not universal, but it is common enough that you should be prepared.
5) Any documents required for special rates
If your agreement uses a membership, corporate, or partner rate, the new main driver may need to qualify too. If not, the branch can re-rate you to a public tariff.
How the branch processes a main-driver change
In practice, the branch will usually do one of two things:
Contract amendment. The branch updates the existing agreement to reflect the new main driver, re-runs eligibility checks, and may adjust pricing, deposit, or cover. This is the simplest route when allowed.
Close and reopen. Some systems cannot “swap” the primary renter. The branch may close the original contract and open a new one in the new driver’s name, keeping the same vehicle or swapping it depending on policy.
Either way, insist on receiving updated paperwork, and check the new driver’s name is correct, the dates match, and any added drivers are still listed. If you are using a specific supplier, policies can differ, for example on Dollar car hire in the United States the branch rules and local discretion can significantly affect what is possible.
What fees can apply when changing the main driver
Fees fall into a few predictable categories. Not every rental will include all of them, but you should understand each because they can compound.
Administrative change fee
Some suppliers charge a flat contract-change fee to cover staff time and system updates. This can be charged even if your daily rate does not change.
Re-rating of the rental
If the new main driver changes the risk profile, your rate may be recalculated from that moment onward, or for the entire rental depending on supplier policy. The most common triggers include:
Age differences, for example moving to a younger driver band. Shorter licence tenure. Different residency status, which can affect verification and accepted payment methods. Vehicle class restrictions, for example SUVs and vans.
If you have an SUV booking, be aware that driver eligibility and age surcharges can be more sensitive, see SUV rental in the United States.
Deposit recalculation
Even when the daily rate stays the same, the deposit may increase if the new main driver is considered higher risk, or if their payment method attracts a higher pre-authorisation.
Additional driver fees
If you decide not to change the main driver and instead add the new person as an additional driver, you may pay a per-day fee. Sometimes this is cheaper than switching the main driver, but it does not move contractual responsibility away from the original renter.
Taxes and location surcharges
Any rate change can alter the tax base, and some locations apply different surcharges depending on the contracting renter’s profile and the payment mechanism used.
How to avoid voiding cover and breaching the agreement
The fastest way to create a serious problem is to treat “main driver” as informal. Cover and liability typically apply only when the vehicle is driven by an authorised driver listed on the agreement. To stay protected during a car hire in United Estates, follow these safeguards:
Do not let the new driver take over until approved. Even a short drive to “test it” before the paperwork is updated can be treated as unauthorised use.
Get written confirmation. Ask for an updated agreement or amendment showing the new main driver and any added drivers.
Check that protection products still apply. If you purchased optional protection, verify it remains attached to the updated contract. When contracts are closed and reopened, add-ons can sometimes drop off unless re-applied.
Confirm the fuel policy, mileage, and return location remain unchanged. A reopened contract can inadvertently reset these terms or change their pricing components.
Keep evidence of vehicle condition. When a contract is changed, take time-stamped photos of the exterior, wheels, glass, and fuel or charge level. This helps if the system treats the change like a new handover.
How to minimise the risk of a mid-rental re-rate
Re-rating is often the costliest surprise. While you cannot always avoid it, you can reduce the likelihood and size of changes by planning your approach.
Choose the most eligible driver as main driver from the start. If one driver is older, has longer licence history, and has a credit card in their name, putting them as main driver usually keeps the rate and deposit lower.
Ask the branch what changes will do to pricing before signing. Request a breakdown: new daily rate, admin fees, deposit amount, and whether charges apply retroactively or only for remaining days.
Consider adding the other person as an additional driver instead. If the goal is simply to share driving, adding a driver is often simpler and may avoid rewriting the contract. It does not shift liability, but it can keep rates stable.
Keep the same vehicle class. Sometimes a branch will suggest switching to a different car during the driver change. If you move classes, re-rating becomes much more likely.
Avoid after-hours changes. Staff discretion and system limitations mean late-night requests can be refused or handled as a new walk-up rental at higher pricing.
Common scenarios and the best approach
The original renter feels unwell and cannot drive. Ask the branch to add an additional driver immediately, and only change the main driver if the original renter will no longer be responsible for payments and liability. If the original renter cannot attend the branch, the change may be difficult, and you should ask about options such as contract closure and a new rental in the other person’s name.
You used a prepaid rate and want someone else to be main driver. Prepaid rentals can be less flexible. The branch may still allow a swap, but payment and deposit rules can be strict. In these cases it is especially important to understand whether the new main driver must present the same card used for the booking.
You are travelling long distance and cannot return to the pick-up branch. Some suppliers will only process primary-driver changes at a corporate location. Call ahead and confirm whether the nearest branch can perform the change, and what they need you to bring.
You are using a value brand with tight policies. Lower-priced suppliers may apply stricter card requirements or higher deposits when changes occur. For policy patterns that can apply to value suppliers, see Payless car hire in the United States.
Checklist before you leave the desk
Before you drive away after a main-driver change, confirm these points on the updated paperwork: new main driver’s full name, address if required, and licence details. All authorised drivers listed correctly. Vehicle registration or unit number unchanged, or documented if swapped. Rate, fees, taxes, and deposit amounts clearly shown. Protection products and liability terms present and correct. Return time, location, and any one-way approval intact.
If anything looks wrong, fix it before leaving. It is much harder to correct later, and disputes often hinge on what the signed agreement states.
FAQ
Can I change the main driver on a United Estates car hire after pick-up? Often yes, but only if the branch processes it and issues updated paperwork. Informal swaps without a contract update are usually treated as unauthorised use.
What documents does the new main driver need to show? Typically a valid driving licence, accepted ID, and a payment card in their own name for the deposit. Some locations may request extra verification or proof of address.
Will I have to pay a fee to change the main driver? You may be charged an admin fee, and the rental can be re-rated based on the new driver’s age, licence history, or eligibility. Deposits can also change.
Is it cheaper to add an additional driver instead of changing the main driver? Sometimes. Adding a driver may involve a daily fee but avoids rewriting the contract. However, the original renter usually remains responsible for charges and liability.
What happens if the new driver drives before being added to the agreement? If a non-authorised driver is at the wheel, cover may be invalid and the supplier can treat damage or incidents as a breach of contract, with higher financial exposure.
