Can I Rent a Car For Someone Else & What is an Additional Driver?

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

Whether you want to rent a car as a gift for someone else or for another employee at work, you might wonder how it works or even if it’s possible. The answer isn’t straightforward.

Technically, you can’t rent a car in your name if someone else will pick it up and drive. Rental companies require the reservation holder to pick it up, as their name is on the legal agreement.

Understandably, cars are expensive, and they need to know who’s behind the wheel. If your name isn’t on the rental agreement, things get complicated, even invalidating your added insurance.

This protects both the rental company and you. 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. To explain further:

You can’t rent a car in your name for someone else to pick it up. You can, however, make a reservation in your name and add someone else as an additional driver.

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.

Who Can Drive My 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.

Essentially, authorized drivers include:

• Primary Renter: Must meet age, license, & card requirements.
• Additional Drivers: Allowed for a fee, meeting the same requirements.
• Age Restrictions: Drivers must be 25 years old or older
• License Requirements: All drivers require valid licenses.
• Insurance Coverage: Ensure all drivers are insured.

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.

Add the other person as an additional driver

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.

Additional driver fee

Please note that an additional driver fee may be charged by the rental company. This is common, but not always the case.

The fee varies depending on the rental company, pick-up and return locations, car category, and more. We recommend researching to find the best offer!

Renting a car for someone else online

You can, of course, rent a car online for someone else if you have their information. At Rentcars, you will need to fill in their name, phone number, date of birth, and email address.

FAQ about Renting a Car for Someone Else

Can I pay for a rental car for someone else?

At Rentcars, you can pay for someone else’s car rental reservation when you choose online payment. However, the primary driver, who signs the agreement, must present a credit card in their name for the security deposit.

If you choose to pay at the destination, the credit card used for the payment must match the one used for the security deposit. Therefore, you cannot pay for someone else in this scenario.

What are the Risks of Renting a Car for Someone Else?

It’s vital to recognize that you assume full responsibility for any damages or accidents caused by the additional driver, as your insurance might not cover them if they’re not listed on the policy. Moreover, adding an unauthorized driver can violate your rental agreement, potentially leading to additional fees or even contract termination.

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. Additionally, verify if your personal insurance extends coverage to rental cars for others. However, ensure you thoroughly review the terms and conditions of any additional insurance before making a purchase.

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.