Renting a Car for Someone Else With Hertz

If you’re renting a car, you’ll usually be renting it as the main driver. However, there may be times when you want to rent a car but have someone else get behind the wheel. It’s important you understand what you’re committing to before you sign a rental agreement on behalf of someone else.

Whether it’s for work or play, you can rent a car to get someone else behind the wheel. Though, it may not be in the way you imagine. While you can’t rent a car in your name for someone else, you can rent a vehicle and then add someone else as an additional driver on the agreement.

Here’s everything you need to know about adding an additional driver to your Hertz car rental.

Why Would You Need An Additional driver?

There are a few reasons you may want to add another driver to a rental car, depending on the purpose of your trip, the type of adventure you’re on, or who’s coming along. Besides, it’s always nice to know someone else is ready to jump in if you’re unable to drive.

Some of the most common reasons to add a driver to a rental car include:

Long Road Trips

If you're planning a long journey, you could add a driver to your rental car. Having another person to share the driving duties can help prevent driver fatigue and make the trip more comfortable for everyone.

Family Vacations

Traveling with children can be demanding. Having an extra driver allows for breaks, helps with navigation, and ensures a smoother and safer travel experience.

Business Trips

Opting for an additional driver can be especially helpful if you have a busy schedule or if you want to maximize productivity during your travels. It also allows you the flexibility to do some last-minute prep or refresh.

How to Add Additional Drivers to Your Car Rental

You can easily add as many additional drivers as there are seats in your rental car, assuming they meet the standard rental requirements. Each additional driver must be present at the rental location, with their credit card and a valid driver’s license in hand. For each driver you add to a rental agreement (aside from the primary driver), you will be charged an additional driver fee.

The Hertz additional driver fee is charged on a per day, per person basis. With Hertz Gold Plus Rewards®, you may be able to add a free additional driver for a spouse or domestic partner.

It’s not too difficult to add an additional driver to your rental car agreement once you’re certain you meet the criteria. However, you’ll need to add them after you’ve set up your reservation at the Hertz pickup.

1. The easiest way to arrange a reservation is online - you can visit Hertz to get started.
2. Fill in all the necessary details, including pick up location, duration of rental, car, and any other additional services.
3. Once that’s in place, you can either contact your Hertz rental location to inquire further or visit in person to see if you can arrange any additional drivers.
4. Ensure you’ve got a valid driver’s license and credit card. Both drivers must be present at the rental location before they can be added to the agreement.
5. If a driver is under 25, you may be able to add them to the rental agreement, but they will be charged an additional young driver’s fee (per day).

Useful Considerations When Renting a Car For Someone Else

While it’s easy to add a driver to a rental car in theory, and the additional driver fee is clearly stated, there are a few things worth considering when renting a car for someone else. These aren’t complications in policy, but when you’re sharing a car with someone, situations can appear that you might not have been expecting.

Here’s a few to be mindful of:

1. Clear communication – communicate when you need the car and what your plans are, whether that’s when planning your trip, driving, or even signing the rental agreement.
2. Remember Hertz’s fuel policy – consider how you’ll tackle and split this cost. Your rental car will always be provided with a full tank of fuel and must be returned with a full tank. 
3. Additional costs – agree on how to split these fees if you’re both using the vehicle when driving, as you may encounter toll roads or other fees. 
4. Higher rental fees – adding another driver can increase the cost of the rental. While that’s easy to distinguish, you may want to communicate with the additional driver if you want to split the entire rental fee or not.
5. Shared responsibility – remember, even if you add an additional driver, the rental agreement will be in your name. This means you're still fully responsible for the vehicle during the rental period.
6. Understand your rental agreement – understand the process and policies set in place by Hertz - this applies to both drivers. It's the best way to ensure a successful rental experience and helps you determine what to expect. It’s easier when both drivers are on the same wavelength.

Remember – if you’re ever in doubt, our Hertz rental experts are always on hand to help you understand the ins and outs of car rental. Pick out your next rental car with Hertz today.