What happens when you add a driver to an Enterprise rental

When you add a driver to your Enterprise rental, you're putting another person on the contract as an authorized operator of the vehicle. Enterprise will collect their driver's license information, verify their age and driving record, and may charge an additional daily fee. The added driver can then legally drive the rental car without you present, and they're covered under the same insurance policy you purchased at pickup.

You don't have to add a driver at the time you book. You can add one when you arrive at the rental counter, or in some cases through your Enterprise account online before you pick up the vehicle. The process takes a few minutes and requires the additional driver to be present with a valid driver's license.

Key Takeaways

  • Enterprise charges a daily fee for each additional driver, typically $10 to $15 per day depending on location and vehicle type, though some locations waive the fee for spouses or domestic partners.
  • The additional driver must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license; Enterprise will check their driving record for violations or suspensions.
  • You can add a driver at the rental counter when you pick up the car, or beforehand through your Enterprise account if the location offers online management.
  • Both you and the additional driver are covered under the damage and liability insurance you selected, so there is no separate insurance step for them.
  • If the additional driver causes an accident or damage, the claim goes against the rental agreement and your chosen coverage, the same as if you had caused it.

When you need to add a driver and when you don't

You need to add a driver if that person will operate the rental vehicle at any point during your rental period. This includes long road trips where you want to share driving, a family vacation where multiple adults will take turns, or a business trip where a colleague needs to drive. Enterprise's insurance covers only the drivers listed on the contract, so an unlisted driver operating the vehicle means you have no coverage if something goes wrong.

You don't need to add a driver if only you will drive the car. If a passenger will be in the vehicle but not behind the wheel, they don't need to be on the contract. The same applies if someone else will pick up or drop off the car but won't drive it during the rental period—though you should tell Enterprise about that arrangement when you book, since some locations have policies about who can handle the vehicle.

Age requirements and driving record checks

Enterprise requires additional drivers to be at least 18 years old with a valid driver's license. When you provide their license information, Enterprise checks it against their database to confirm the license is current and not suspended or revoked. They also look for major violations like DUIs, reckless driving convictions, or multiple at-fault accidents within the past three to five years.

If the additional driver has a suspended license or a serious violation on their record, Enterprise will refuse to add them. If they have minor violations or accidents but the license is valid, Enterprise may still add them but could charge a higher daily fee or require you to purchase additional insurance coverage. The specific rules vary by location, so ask the rental agent what they find when they run the check.

The daily fee for additional drivers

Enterprise typically charges $10 to $15 per day for each additional driver, though the fee varies by location, vehicle class, and current demand. Some Enterprise locations waive the fee for your spouse or domestic partner, so ask at the counter. A few locations also waive it for family members or corporate account holders, but this is not standard across all branches.

The fee is charged for each day of the rental, so if you're renting for a week and adding one driver, expect to pay roughly $70 to $105 extra. If you add the driver after you've already started the rental, the fee applies only from the day you add them onward. You can remove a driver before the rental ends if you no longer need them, and the fee stops accruing from that point.

How to add a driver before or at pickup

If you want to add a driver before you arrive at the rental location, log into your Enterprise account online and look for the option to manage your reservation. Not all locations offer this feature, so you may see a message saying you need to add the driver at the counter instead. If the option is available, enter the additional driver's full name, date of birth, and driver's license number, then confirm.

At the rental counter, tell the agent you want to add a driver and have that person present with their valid driver's license. The agent will enter their information into the system, run the driving record check, quote you the daily fee, and add them to the contract. You'll both need to sign the updated rental agreement. This process usually takes five to ten minutes. If you're adding a driver after you've already picked up the car, return to the rental location with the additional driver and the same process applies.

Insurance and liability when an additional driver is involved

Both you and any additional driver on the contract are covered under the damage and liability insurance you selected when you rented the car. If the additional driver causes an accident, the claim is handled the same way as if you had caused it: it goes against your chosen coverage (the damage waiver, liability protection, or your personal auto insurance, depending on what you purchased). You don't buy separate insurance for them.

This means if the additional driver causes damage and you declined the damage waiver, you're responsible for the repair costs. If they cause injury to another person and you didn't purchase liability coverage, your personal auto insurance would normally cover it, but Enterprise's rental agreement still holds you liable. Make sure you understand what coverage you have before the additional driver gets behind the wheel, because the financial responsibility is yours regardless of who was driving.

What to do if an additional driver causes damage or an accident

If the additional driver is involved in an accident or causes damage to the rental vehicle, report it to Enterprise when ready, the same way you would if you had caused it. Call the rental location or the Enterprise roadside information number on your rental agreement. Do not leave the scene of an accident; stay and exchange information with any other parties involved, and call the police if anyone is injured or if there's significant damage.

Enterprise will investigate the accident using the police report, photos, and statements from everyone involved. If the additional driver was at fault, the claim goes against your rental agreement. If you purchased the damage waiver, Enterprise covers the repair costs. If you didn't, you pay the repair bill. Liability claims work the same way: if the additional driver injured someone or damaged another vehicle, your liability coverage (or your personal insurance) pays for it. The additional driver's presence on the contract doesn't change who pays—you do.

Removing a driver or changing drivers mid-rental

You can remove an additional driver from the contract at any time during the rental period by returning to the rental location with your rental agreement. The agent will update the contract, and the daily fee stops accruing from that day forward. If you need to add a different driver later, you can do that too—just bring that person and their license to the counter.

If you're on a long rental and drivers are rotating, it's cleaner to add all of them at the start rather than making multiple trips to the counter. However, if you realize you added someone who won't actually drive, removing them saves you money for the remaining days. There's no penalty for adding or removing drivers; it's straightforward a contract change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a driver who doesn't have a US driver's license?

Enterprise requires a valid driver's license issued by a US state or territory. International licenses are not accepted as the sole form of ID. If the additional driver has an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with their home country license, ask the agent whether they'll accept it, but this varies by location and is not may provide.

What if the additional driver fails the background check?

If Enterprise finds a suspended license, active DUI, or other serious violation, they will not add that person to the contract. You cannot override this decision. Your only option is to drive the vehicle yourself for the entire rental period, or cancel the reservation and book with a different company if they have different policies.

Do I have to add a driver if someone else is picking up the car for me?

Yes, if that person will drive the vehicle at any point, they must be added to the contract. If they're only picking it up and handing you the keys, ask the agent whether they need to be listed. Some locations require the person who picks up the car to be on the contract; others don't. Clarify this when you book or call ahead.

Can I add a driver after I've already started the rental?

Yes. Return to the rental location with the additional driver and their license, and the agent will add them to the contract. The daily fee applies from that day onward. If you're in a different city than where you rented, you can visit any Enterprise location and they can update your reservation in the system.

What happens if an unlisted driver is caught driving the rental?

If someone not on the contract is found driving the vehicle, Enterprise can void your insurance coverage and hold you liable for any damage or accidents that occur. You could also face legal consequences depending on your state's laws around unauthorized vehicle operation. Always add anyone who will drive, even if it seems like a short trip.