Last Updated on November 23, 2020 by Jonathan
- Dec 14, 2011 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.
- Only the main driver will sign the rental agreement, but the names and other details of all additional drivers will be added to it. How much does it cost to add an extra driver? Rental companies usually charge a fee per day to insure each additional driver on the hire car.
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.
Although including additional drivers on a rental contract used to be limited to spouses and domestic partners, many rental car companies like Alamo, Avis, and Hertz now allow any licensed driver to be added to the contract for a fee. Some won't charge for spouses or partners and some won't charge for.
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:
The California Exception
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.
The Exception for Spouses in Some States
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.
Additional Driver Fee Policies by Car Rental Company
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.
Memberships That Cover Additional Driver Fees
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.
The Takeaway on Additional Driver Fees
Does Hertz Car Rental Charge For Extra Driver
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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The below T&Cs (including prices and taxes) are provided by Hertz and may change without notice to VroomVroomVroom.com.
This quote includes:
- all taxes, airport taxes and surcharges if applicable,
- Stated mileage amount (generally unlimited, see below for extra mileage charges)
- Vehicle Registration fee,
- One way fees if applicable,
- All vehicle fees related to the booking e.g. Vehicle drop fees, all recovery fees, premium location fees, corporate location fees wherever applicable.
This quote will not include:
- Fuel
- Insurance (See next paragraph*)
- Child seats or booster seats (can be purchased after confirmation for generally $13.00 US per day plus local tax and surcharges).
- Additional Drivers: $13.50* per day/driver (at most locations) capped at $189.00* per rental/driver
- Extra miles (if your rental has limited mileage, each additional mile over the limit will be charged at $0.25).
- Age Surcharge: Up to $30.00* per day for drivers 20 to 24 years of age (18 to 24 in Michigan and New York)
- Any extras signed up for upon arrival, e.g. vehicle snow equipment GPS.
- All extras and additional services will attract additional local percentage taxes and surcharges. Prices below are exclusive of these as they vary state to state.
* Important information about car rental insurance
For US citizens
Some US credit cards and personal car insurance policies do provide car rental insurance so please check with your credit card provider and personal auto insurance policy for details.
Some US credit cards and personal car insurance policies do provide car rental insurance so please check with your credit card provider and personal auto insurance policy for details.
Visiting the US from another country
It is illegal to drive in the US without car insurance. Your travel insurance probably only covers the excess so check the fine print in your travel insurance policy.
It is illegal to drive in the US without car insurance. Your travel insurance probably only covers the excess so check the fine print in your travel insurance policy.
For more information please see our U.S. car rental insurance guide.
See below for more Hertz Terms and Conditions
OR see Hertz for further details* All extras and additional services will attract additional local percentage taxes and surcharges. Prices below are exclusive of these as they vary state to state.b
Driver's License
An acceptable, valid driver's license issued from your country of residence must be presented at the time of rental. The driver's license must be valid for the entire rental period. If the driver's license is in a language other than English, and the rental is in the United States, an International Driver's Permit is recommended. In all cases, a valid driver's license issued from your home country must be provided, whether or not you possess an International Driver's Permit. You will not be allowed to rent a Hertz vehicle with only an International Driver's Permit.The Fullsize Van requires a Commercial Driver's License to transport non-profit groups or for commercial use. Vehicle may not be used to transport passengers for hire. The Commercial Driver's License requirement does not apply to personal rentals.
Age
On most retail rentals at corporate locations and participating licensee locations in the US, the minimum age is 25 without an additional Age Differential Charge, and 20 (18 in Michigan and New York) with an additional Age Differential Charge of between $27.00 - $35.00. The minimum age for Prestige & Adrenaline Collections, as well as select high performance vehicles, is imperatively 25.The charge for drivers 20 to 24 years of age can be anywhere between $27.00 - $35.00 per day and may be subjected to tax and surcharges. Please feel free to email [email protected] and we'll contact the depot of pickup for you. We'll respond within one business day.
Additional Drivers
- Individuals not automatically covered on the Rental Agreement as Authorized Operators noted above may be signed on as an 'Additional Authorized Operator' (AAO). AAO's must be present and may be signed on to the rental agreement at the time of rental or during the rental at any US corporate location.
- Renter and each AAO must be present to sign Rental Agreement, present an acceptable credit card or debit card (if renting city accepts debit cards) in their own name, or a current round-trip ticket (air, train or bus), show valid driver's license, and must be a minimum of 20 years of age. For those 20 through 24 the location's age differential will apply.
AAA - Spouse/Domestic Partner* of AAA members are not required to have a separate AAA membership in order to receive the free AAO privileges. For other rentals, the AAO fee is also waived when both the renter and the AAO are AAA members.
*Domestic partner: An unmarried partner of the same or opposite sex (not a relative) who permanently resides as part of the same family unit, at the same address as the renter, as validated by the address on the driver's license.
USAA - No charge for qualified additional operators who are USAA members when signing on to a USAA rental when booking includes USAA discount number.
Payment Policy - Credit Card
American Express / Mastercard / Carte Blanche / Diners Club / Discover / Hertz Card / JCB / Visa / Optima/AmexCredit cards must have available credit, and debit/check cards must have available funds, for the estimated amount of rental charges plus up to USD 200.00 for any incidental charges in order to secure the rental. For customers with a PC coupon, the estimated amount is the approximate total not including your promotion.
Does Hertz Car Rental Charge For Additional Drivers License
Payment Policy - Debit Cards
. At Airport Locations debit cards will be accepted to qualify for rental when the customer provides proof of return airline flight to coincide with the rental and two (2) valid forms of identification.
· At Off Airport Locations debit cards will be accepted to qualify for rental when the customer has made a reservation made at least one (1) day in advance of the rental pick up date, they are at least 25 years old, and present two (2) valid forms of identification.
· There are exceptions to the general policy:
· Debit cards are not accepted to qualify for the rental for Dream Cars and Shelby GT-H Mustang
· Debit cards are not accepted at time of rental in following cities and surrounding areas, New York Metropolitan (NY, NJ, CT), Hartford, CT, Philadelphia, PA, Boston, MA, Manchester, NH and Detroit, MI.
· Debit cards may continue to be used to pay for rental charges at time of return
Cross Border Information
US to Canada: The renter will need to advise the rental counter if they intend to drive into Canada. You must have a valid license and rental record. Rentals from this city do not require presentation of Liability Protection Letters, Certificates or Stickers at Customs for driving into Canada. Canadian law does require that everyone entering the country have a passport, so everyone in the vehicle must have the proper identification. Hertz vehicles may not be driven into Mexico. Additional and/or different restrictions may apply in certain states. See your Rental Agreement for additional information, at the time of rental.US to Mexico: This depends on the location and depot you will be collecting your rental. You may find this information in the Hertz TNC link on the Book Page when placing a booking.
Fuel
Hertz has three refueling options available to meet your needs:You may purchase a tank of gas from Hertz at time of rental and return the vehicle with as little gas as you prefer. Please be aware that we are unable to issue a refund for unused fuel. However, this method eliminates the need for you to refuel the tank prior to returning.
You can let us refuel for you and only pay for the fuel required to replace the fuel you used, and for the service and convenience of refueling the tank.
You can stop and refuel the tank yourself, immediately prior to returning the vehicle.
Insurance Coverage Options offered by Hertz
Please note: These are offered by the supplier direct - at the car rental pickup or by contacting:Hertz Reservation - 800-654-3131 (US or Canada)
International - 800-654-3001
Loss Damage Waiver (LDW)
In most states, in the event of any other loss or damage to the car, regardless of fault, your financial responsibility extends to the full value of the car at the time of rental, less its salvage value, plus expenses for towing, storage impound fees, an administrative fee and a reasonable charge for loss of use. If your responsibility differs in the state in which you rent, it will be stated in Paragraph 4, of the Rental Agreement. In California, in the event of any loss or damage to the car regardless of fault, your financial responsibility will in no event exceed the fair market value, plus actual charges for towing, storage, impound fees, and an administrative fee.
In California and Nevada, your responsibility for loss or damage to the car from vandalism unrelated to theft will not exceed USD 500.00 and you are not responsible for theft, regardless of purchasing LDW, unless the theft results from your fault. In Illinois, your responsibility for loss or damage for any cause other than theft is limited to USD 15,500.00. Loss or damage related to theft is limited to USD 2,000.00, unless the theft results from your fault. In New York, your financial responsibility shall not exceed:
- (i) the actual and reasonable costs that Hertz incurs to repair the car, including costs for towing, storage and impound fees or that Hertz would have incurred if the car was repaired or
- (ii) the fair market value of the car immediately before the damages occurred, as determined by the applicable market for the retail sale of the car less disposal proceeds. Your responsibility for theft of the car shall not exceed the reasonable costs incurred by Hertz for loss due to theft up to its fair market value, if it is established that you or any authorized operator failed to exercise reasonable care or aided or abetted in the theft.
- However Hertz offers Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) an optional service, which for an additional daily charge relieves you of all financial responsibility for the loss or damage to the rental car, whether or not you have insurance to cover such damage, provided the car is used in accordance with the terms of the Rental Agreement.
- The cost of LDW may vary depending on location or car type and is charged per each full or partial day of rental.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI)
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI), offered in combination with PEC, allows you to elect accidental death and accidental medical expense coverage for yourself and your passengers during the rental period of the vehicle.
PAI coverage:
Benefit Schedule | Renter | Each Passenger |
Accidental Death | USD 175,000.00 | USD 17,500.00 |
Accidental Medical Expenses | ||
not to exceed (except NY): | USD 2,500.00 | USD 2,500.00 |
New York only: | USD 3,500.00 | USD 3,500.00 |
Ambulance Expenses | ||
not to exceed (except NY): | USD 250.00 | USD 250.00 |
New York only: | USD 150.00 | USD 150.00 |
Total benefits for any one accident are limited to USD 225,000.00 and are payable in addition to any other coverage for which you or your passengers are eligible. However, your benefits provided by other coverage may be affected by the PAI benefits. Rentals originating in the State of Mississippi do not have a single accident limit of USD 225,000.00.
If this coverage is accepted, the benefits for you apply to all accidental injuries during your rental period, regardless of whether you are actually in the car. Your passengers are also covered, but only for incidents occurring while they occupy the Hertz rental car.
Personal Effects Coverage (PEC)
Does Hertz Car Rental Charge For Additional Drivers Online
Personal Effects Coverage (PEC), offered in combination with PAI, is an option that insures against risk of loss or damage to help protect your personal belongings while renting from Hertz. By electing PEC you will be insured throughout the entire rental period. PEC is insurance protection and pays in addition to any other policy you may have (such as a Homeowner's policy).
However, your benefits provided by other coverage may be affected by the PEC benefit. PEC insurance coverage includes those personal effects owned by you and those members of your immediate family traveling with you during the rental period who are permanent residents of your household. PEC does not extend to non-family members traveling with you.
The maximum coverage per person is USD 600.00 with the maximum coverage for all claims during any rental limited to USD 1800.00, no deductible (Exception In New York, maximum coverage is USD 500.00 per person with a maximum coverage for all claims during any rental limited to USD 1,500.00).