An Additional Driver, if added to the rental agreement, may drive the rental vehicle. 5.Do you charge extra for an additional driver? Yes, there is an additional charge for each Additional Driver. Hertz: There is a per day charge for all additional drivers, but if you are a member of Hertz #1 Club (free to join), the fee is waived for a spouse or domestic partner.
Last Updated on November 23, 2020 by Jonathan
Do you hate getting nickeled and dimed? Many renters overlook car rental additional driver fees. Whether you plan on sharing the driving or just want additional flexibility, it can be convenient to add another driver your rental contract. But at $10 per day or more, this charge adds up quickly—unless you find a way to avoid it altogether.
Be sure to add all potential drivers to your rental contract. If you skip this step and a non-listed driver gets into an accident, your insurance or damage waiver will be voided. It’s not worth taking the risk of getting hit with a huge bill if there’s an accident.
There are times when car rental additional driver fees don’t apply:
Renting a car in California? Good news: By law, there are no additional driver fees in California. This goes for all companies, whether the additional driver is a spouse or someone unrelated to you.
Important: Remember, not just anyone can take the wheel. The additional driver needs to present a valid driver’s license and be listed on the contract.
In addition to California, where all additional drivers are free, some states allow the primary driver’s spouse to be an automatic authorized additional driver without a fee. Remember, though, the additional driver still needs to present a driver’s license and be listed on the contract. These states include:
If you are renting in New York, state law caps the additional driver fee at $5 per day. That’s not quite as good as a free ride in California, but certainly better than the exorbitant fees charged elsewhere.
In Nevada, the fee is capped by law, but adjusts annually based on inflation.
In every other state, there are no legal limitations on car rental additional driver fees, so it pays to try to avoid the charge using one of the strategies below.
It’s important to keep in mind the policies of each company, since not all are created equal:
Enterprise/Alamo: There is no additional driver fee for a spouse, domestic partner or business partner. For other additional drivers, there is a charge of $10 per day for each additional authorized driver.
Avis/Budget/Fox/Payless: There is no additional driver fee for a spouse or domestic partner. Other individuals will incur a per-day fee. Avis and Budget currently charge $13 per day at most locations but cap the fee at $65 per rental.
Dollar/Thrifty: Both companies typically charge per day for all additional drivers (including spouses). The exception to this rule is that spouses can drive for free for members of Dollar’s Express and Thrifty’s Blue Chip programs.
Hertz: There is a daily charge for all additional drivers, but if you are a member of Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, the fee is waived for a spouse or domestic partner.
National: If you are a member of National’s Emerald Club (free to join), the fee is waived for a spouse, domestic partner, or immediate family member whose driver’s license lists the same address as the Emerald Club member.
Silvercar: Silvercar does not charge for any additional driver who meets rental requirements. It’s a very customer-friendly policy, but then again, you often pay significantly more for the privilege of driving their Audis.
Sixt: There is a daily charge for all additional drivers including spouses.
Others: For other companies, contact the company directly to confirm the policy on additional drivers. Any savings you get from a discount brand may be wiped out by a fee for an additional driver.
Another way to get around the additional driver fee is to use a membership discount code. The following organizations permit an additional driver at no charge if booked with a membership discount:
AAA: Members can list additional drivers at no charge with Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty when they book with the AAA discount code at participating U.S. and Canada locations.
AARP: Members get a free additional driver at Avis and Budget when booked with the AARP discount code at participating locations.
Costco: Members get a free additional driver at Alamo and Enterprise when booked with the Costco discount code at locations in the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, and Spain. At Avis and Budget, the Costco code only kills the additional driver fee in the United States.
USAA: At Hertz, USAA members can use a discount code to avoid the fee for a spouse or adult children. At Enterprise, there’s no charge for adding spouses and USAA family members to the rental agreement. With Avis and Budget, there’s no charge for spouses or other USAA members.
Many exemptions are automatic and don’t require listing the qualifying additional driver on the rental agreement. In fact, specifically listing someone on the contract may end up backfiring and triggering an additional driver fee that you are actually entitled to waive. If you’re unclear, always ask the rental agent for confirmation.
With a little bit of planning, you can avoid paying a fee when you need to add a second driver to your rental contract. Renters in California get a free pass regardless of company, as do customers of Silvercar, and spouses or domestic partners when renting from Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Alamo, or Fox, and in numerous states by law. If none of these situations apply, then you can often avoid the fee by joining a frequent renter program or using a membership discount code. Be sure to calculate all costs before booking.
If an additional driver can’t be present when you pick up the car, you can visit any of the brand’s locations and make the change later.
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