It happens every single summer. You're standing at a rental counter in Malaga or Miami, exhausted from a ten-hour flight, and the agent asks that one question: "Will anyone else be driving?" You look at your partner. They look at you. You both think about those long stretches of highway and the inevitable fatigue. You say yes. Suddenly, your "cheap" rental price jumps by $15 a day plus tax. It feels like a shakedown. Honestly, in many ways, it kind of is.
But skipping the car hire additional driver fee isn't just a matter of saving a few bucks. It’s a massive legal gamble that most travelers don't actually understand until they're standing on the side of a road with a dented bumper and a voided insurance policy.
The Brutal Truth About "Unauthorized" Drivers
If you let someone drive who isn't on the paperwork, you are basically driving without insurance. It is that simple. Most people assume that because they paid for the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or have great credit card coverage, the car is "covered." It’s not. Insurance follows the contract, not just the vehicle. If your spouse takes the wheel for twenty minutes so you can nap and clips a curb, the rental company can—and likely will—hold you personally liable for every cent of the damage. We aren't just talking about a $500 deductible here. We're talking about the full value of the car if it's totaled.
The rental agreement is a rigid legal document. When you sign it, you are the "authorized driver." Anyone else is a ghost. If a ghost crashes the car, the "theft" or "misappropriation" clauses in the contract can kick in.
Where You Can Actually Get It For Free
You don't always have to pay. This is the part the counter agents won't tell you unless you ask specifically. In some parts of the world, the law actually protects your wallet.
Take California, for example. In the Golden State, state law historically prohibited charging for additional drivers, though that has shifted slightly recently to allow charges except for specific family members. In many other US states, like New York or Nevada, the law mandates that a spouse is automatically considered an authorized driver. You don't need to pay the $15 daily fee. You don't even need to list them in some cases, though you should always double-check the specific brand's policy because corporate rules often overlap with state law in confusing ways.
Then you have the loyalty programs. This is the biggest "hack" in the industry. Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis Preferred, and Enterprise Plus all generally allow a spouse or domestic partner to drive for free as long as the primary renter is a member. It costs nothing to join these programs. It’s wild how many people pay $100 over a week-long trip for a second driver when they could have just signed up for a free membership five minutes before booking.
The Spousal Loophole and Domestic Partners
The definition of "family" varies wildly between brands. Avis and Budget are usually pretty cool about spouses and domestic partners being free in the US. Enterprise is also generally "spouse-friendly" without extra fees. But move that same booking to Europe, and the rules flip. In the UK or France, you'll almost always pay for a car hire additional driver, even if you’ve been married for forty years and share the same insurance policy at home.
Why? Because they can. European rental markets are fragmented and the "spouse drives free" culture hasn't permeated the Mediterranean the way it has the American Midwest.
Real World Costs: A Breakdown of the Fees
If you do have to pay, brace yourself. The fees aren't standardized. They are "ancillary revenue," which is corporate-speak for "pure profit."
- Hertz: Usually charges around $13.50 to $15 per day, often capped at a certain amount for the entire rental (roughly $189).
- Sixt: Can vary wildly by location. In some premium spots, it’s a flat fee; in others, it’s per day.
- Budget/Avis: Expect to pay around $13 per day per driver.
Think about that. If you’re renting a car for $30 a day, adding a friend as a driver increases your daily cost by nearly 50%. It’s a steep price for the luxury of switching seats.
Age Matters (The Young Driver Double-Whammy)
If your additional driver is under 25, God help your credit card. You won't just pay the car hire additional driver fee; you’ll also pay the "Young Driver Surcharge." In places like the UK, this can be £30-£40 per day. If you're a 24-year-old renting a car and you want your 23-year-old friend to help with the driving, you might end up paying more in fees than you did for the actual car.
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There are very few ways around this. AAA members in the US can sometimes get the young driver fee waived with Hertz, but for most of the world, youth is an expensive liability in the eyes of rental companies.
The "Check-In" Requirement
You cannot just call the rental company and say "Hey, my friend is driving now." The additional driver must be present at the counter with their physical license. They have to sign the document.
I’ve seen people try to add a driver over the phone or show a photo of a license on a smartphone. It doesn't work. If you decide on day three of a road trip that you want your buddy to take a shift, you both have to drive back to a rental branch—any branch of that company—to get them added to the paperwork. It’s a hassle, but skipping it is a recipe for financial disaster.
Why Companies Care So Much
It’s about risk pools. From an actuarial standpoint, two drivers mean the car is likely being driven more miles. More miles equals more opportunities for an accident. Also, the company has no way of vetting the second driver's record unless they see the license. They are looking for endorsements, restrictions, or expired documents.
Is it a bit of a cash grab? Yes. But it’s also a legitimate risk management tool for the fleet owners.
Credit Card Insurance: The Great Misconception
Many people rely on their Chase Sapphire Preferred or American Express cards for rental insurance. These are fantastic. They offer primary coverage in many cases, which is a huge win. But read the fine print.
Almost every credit card insurance policy states that the coverage is only valid if the "terms of the rental agreement" are followed. If you have an unauthorized driver behind the wheel, you have violated the rental agreement. The credit card company will deny your claim instantly. You’ll be left holding the bag for a $40,000 SUV.
How to Avoid the Fee Like a Pro
- Join the Loyalty Program: This is non-negotiable. Join before you book.
- Book via Costco Travel: If you’re a member, Costco’s rental portal often includes one additional driver for free with brands like Alamo and Enterprise in the US, Canada, and parts of Europe.
- Use AAA or AARP: Both organizations have negotiated contracts with major rental brands that frequently include a free second driver.
- Check Local Laws: If you're in a "spouse-free" state, don't let the agent talk you into paying. Politely remind them of the state regulation.
- Corporate Codes: If you’re traveling for work, your company’s corporate rate almost always includes additional drivers (usually coworkers) for free.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
Before you even look at car prices, decide who is actually going to drive. If it's just a three-hour hop from the airport to a resort, maybe you don't need a second driver. Save the $100.
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If you definitely need a partner to share the load, sign up for the rental company's rewards program immediately. It takes two minutes and usually bypasses the fee for spouses.
When you get to the counter, have both licenses ready. Don't wait for the agent to ask; tell them you're a rewards member and you'd like to add your partner. If they try to charge you, ask if the fee is waived for members. Usually, the "system" doesn't automatically waive it—the agent has to click a specific button.
Verify the final total on the printed contract before you sign. Once you drive off that lot, changing the driver status becomes a massive logistical headache that will involve finding a rental office and wasting at least an hour of your vacation. Get it right at the start, stay legal, and keep your insurance intact. It’s the boring part of travel planning, but it’s the part that keeps a small accident from becoming a life-altering debt.