Can I rent a car for someone else? Discover additional driver rules

Want to rent a car for someone else? It’s not always easy, but there is a safe way to make it work.

If you’re trying to pay for a friend’s trip, surprise a family member, or coordinate a business rental for a colleague, the rules can be confusing — and online answers don’t always match. Here’s the simple truth: the person who picks up the car and signs the agreement (the “primary driver”) is legally responsible for the vehicle.

That’s why most rental brands won’t let you rent in your name and send someone else to pick it up and drive. Instead, the safe path is to book in the primary driver’s full legal name and add anyone else who will drive as an additional (authorized) driver.

This avoids counter disputes, keeps protections valid, and gets you on the road faster. We want your car rental experience to be amazing, so here’s what you need to know!

Can I rent a car for someone else?

If you’re wondering whether you can rent a car for someone else, the answer is no, but also yes. Technically, you can’t rent a car in your own name if someone else will pick it up and drive. Rental companies require the reservation holder to be present at pickup, since their name is on the legal contract.

However, you can still help someone else. You can make a reservation in your name and add someone else as an additional driver. The right way is to book in their name and, if needed, add yourself or others as additional drivers. This ensures everyone is properly authorized and covered by insurance.

When you rent a car, you are typically required to provide the names of all drivers who will be using the vehicle. The person renting the car is usually responsible for providing their driver’s license and credit card information, but they can add additional drivers to the rental agreement.

The rules to rent a car for someone else

At pickup, staff must confirm identity, eligibility, and payment for the security hold. These steps legally transfer accountability to the driver on the contract. Because of this:

• The primary driver must appear in person, show a valid license, and sign the agreement.
• The security deposit/hold is taken on the primary driver’s card — even if someone else prepaid the base rental.
• If someone not listed drives, you risk breaching the contract and invalidating insurance coverage.
• If you won’t be at pickup, always book in the driver’s name from the start.

Who can drive the rental car?

Before renting a car, it’s a good idea to check with the rental company about their specific policies regarding additional drivers and any associated fees and restrictions. This ensures everyone authorized to drive has appropriate insurance coverage.

Rental companies classify drivers into two categories:

• Primary Renter (or Driver): Must meet age, license, and payment card requirements.
• Additional Drivers: Allowed if they meet the same requirements, usually for a daily fee.

Typical rules include:

• Age restrictions: Most providers set the minimum at 25, though some accept younger drivers with an extra fee.
• License requirements: All drivers must hold a valid license (and sometimes an International Driving Permit).
• Insurance coverage: Only listed drivers are covered. Unlisted drivers put you at risk.

“Who Pays” vs. “Who Drives”

It’s important to separate prepayment from the deposit/hold:

• Prepayment: In many cases, someone else can pay online in advance for the rental.
• Deposit/Hold: At pickup, the security deposit is almost always taken on the primary driver’s card, in their name.

That’s why booking directly in the driver’s name is the safest option, even if you are the one paying.

Why would I need an additional driver?

Adding an additional driver when renting a car offers convenience, safety, and flexibility. This is particularly beneficial for long road trips, emergency situations, group travel, and business trips.

It allows for sharing driving responsibilities, ensures continued travel in case of driver fatigue or incapacity, accommodates varying schedules and preferences within a group, and is often essential for business travelers attending meetings or events in different locations.

1. When embarking on a long road trip, having an extra driver can significantly enhance your experience. Driving for extended periods can be tiring, and having someone else share the driving responsibilities allows you to rest, enjoy the scenery, and arrive at your destination more refreshed.
2. Family vacations often involve multiple destinations, sightseeing, and exploring new places. With an additional driver, you can take turns behind the wheel, making the journey more enjoyable for everyone. Plus, if one family member feels unwell or needs a break, another driver can take over.
3. On business trips, time is often of the essence. Having an extra driver ensures that you can switch roles when needed. It also provides flexibility in case one person needs to rest or handle other work-related tasks.
4. When the primary driver cannot return the car to the destination, adding an additional driver to your rental agreement allows this person to make the return. But remember, the additional driver can only return the car, not pick it up without the presence of the primary driver.

How to rent a car for someone else?

Search For A Car To Rent

If you’re looking to rent a car, Rentcars is a great platform to find the best prices from over 300 car rental companies. Here’s how to search for a car rental on Rentcars:

1. Visit the Rentcars website or use the mobile app.

2. Enter your destination, pick-up and return dates, and times.

3. Specify your country of residence.

4. Click the “Search” button.

After you hit “Search,” Rentcars will list the best car rental offers, which you can filter by your preferred rental company, desired car category, price range, and more. It’s convenient, easy, and you’ll have access to exclusive discounts!

Check If It’s Possible To Add More Drivers

While you can’t definitively confirm the possibility of adding additional drivers directly through the Rentcars search, here’s how you can get a good indication:

1. Use the Filters:

When booking your rental car, look for filter options related to “Additional Drivers” or “Extra Drivers”. If this option exists, it implies that adding drivers is possible with those particular companies.

However, the absence of this filter doesn’t guarantee the opposite! It simply means you’ll need further investigation.

2. Check “Add Extras” Section:

After selecting your desired vehicle, proceed to the “Add Extras” section. Here, you might find the option to add additional drivers for a specific fee.

Additional driver: everything you need to know

This remains the easiest and most straightforward way to allow someone else, besides yourself (the reservation holder), to drive the rental car.

As the main driver, you still have some obligations: you will have to be present to pick-up the car, sign the rental agreement, and your credit card will be used for the security deposit. Technically, you’re the “primary driver”, but you can choose not to drive at all.

As an additional driver, the other person can drive the car with no restrictions or problems, as their name will be on the rental agreement. As long as they meet the age requirement and have necessary documentation, you’re good to go.

Do you need additional insurance for someone else to rent a car?

Before renting a car for someone else, explore optional insurance plans from rental companies that cover additional drivers. Check whether your personal insurance extends coverage to rentals. Always review terms and conditions carefully before purchasing any extra coverage.

What are the additional driver policies at my rental location?

Rental car policies vary greatly between companies and locations. Factors such as the rental company, location, driver details, and the type of vehicle can all influence policies regarding additional drivers, risks, and insurance requirements.

Each company has its own set of regulations and fees, while local laws, and the driver’s age, license status, and relationship to you play a role in determining eligibility. Additionally, the type of vehicle rented may impose certain restrictions based on its categories. It’s crucial to be aware of these factors to ensure compliance and avoid any potential issues during the rental period.

Conclusion

To help someone else drive a rental without headaches, follow one golden rule: make the reservation in the primary driver’s full legal name and list every person who will drive.

Treat prepayment and deposit as separate steps, prepare the primary driver’s accepted card for the hold, and review branch-specific Additional Driver and payment policies before you travel.

Do this, and pickup is smooth, coverage remains valid, and everyone arrives with zero surprises!