Adding a driver to an Enterprise rental means putting someone else's name on the contract so they can legally operate the vehicle
When you rent a car from Enterprise, only the person whose name appears on the rental agreement can drive it. If you want someone else to drive — whether a family member, friend, or colleague — you need to add them as an additional driver before you leave the lot. This is not optional if they will take the wheel; it is a requirement of the rental contract and your insurance coverage.
You can add a driver at the time you book, when you arrive to pick up the car, or sometimes online through your reservation. Enterprise charges a daily fee for each additional driver, though some credit cards and insurance policies waive this fee. The driver must be present with a valid driver's license, and they must meet Enterprise's age and driving record requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Additional drivers must be named on the rental contract before the car leaves the lot, and each driver pays a daily fee unless your credit card or insurance waives it.
- The added driver must have a valid driver's license and meet Enterprise's minimum age requirement, which is typically 21 but may be higher depending on the vehicle type.
- You can add a driver when you book online, at the rental counter, or sometimes through your existing reservation if you call the location.
- If someone drives the car without being on the contract, the rental agreement is violated and your insurance may not cover an accident.
- Some premium credit cards and rental car insurance policies cover the additional driver fee, so check your card benefits or policy before paying.
Adding a driver when you book or pick up the car
The easiest time to add a driver is when you first book your reservation online. Most Enterprise booking pages have a field for additional drivers — you enter their name, date of birth, and driver's license number. If you do not add them then, you can do it when you arrive at the rental counter by giving the agent their license and paying the daily fee.
If you already have a reservation and want to add someone later, call the specific Enterprise location where you are picking up the car. They can add the driver to your existing reservation over the phone, though you will still need to show their license at pickup and sign the updated contract. Do not assume the driver can be added on the spot without notice — some busy locations may need advance warning, especially if you are renting a premium vehicle.
Driver requirements and age restrictions
Enterprise requires all additional drivers to be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver's license. For some vehicle types — particularly luxury cars, trucks, or vans — the minimum age may be 25. The driver's license must not be suspended, revoked, or expired, and Enterprise will check the license against their system when you arrive.
Enterprise also reviews driving records. A driver with multiple recent violations, a DUI, or an at-fault accident within the last few years may be declined. The specific rules vary by location and vehicle, so if you are unsure whether someone will be accepted, call ahead and ask. Enterprise staff can tell you whether a particular driver will be approved before you show up.
The additional driver fee and how to avoid it
Enterprise charges a daily fee for each additional driver, typically ranging from $10 to $15 per day depending on the location and rental length. This fee is added to your total rental cost for each day the driver is on the contract. However, this fee is often waived by certain credit cards and rental car insurance policies.
Before you pay the fee, check whether your credit card offers rental car benefits — many premium cards (American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and others) waive additional driver fees. If you have a separate rental car insurance policy, review the coverage details or call the insurer to ask whether additional drivers are covered at no extra cost. Bring proof of the waiver (your credit card or insurance documents) to the rental counter so Enterprise can remove the charge.
What happens if someone drives without being on the contract
If someone drives the rental car and their name is not on the agreement, you are in violation of the rental contract. Enterprise can charge you additional fees, and more importantly, your insurance coverage may be void. If there is an accident, the insurance company may refuse to pay because the driver was not authorized.
You would then be personally liable for all damage to the rental car and any third-party claims. This can mean thousands of dollars in costs. Even if nothing goes wrong, Enterprise can discover an unauthorized driver through toll records, traffic cameras, or witness statements after an accident, and they will pursue you for breach of contract. The $10 to $15 daily fee is far cheaper than the risk.
Removing a driver from your rental
If you added a driver but no longer need them on the contract, call the Enterprise location where you are renting and ask to remove them. This must happen before you pick up the car or, if you have already picked it up, before the driver takes the wheel. Once the car is in your possession and the driver has operated it, removing them from the contract does not undo the liability.
If you remove a driver before pickup, Enterprise will adjust your bill and remove the daily fee. If you remove them after pickup, you may still be charged for the days they were on the contract, depending on the location's policy. Call as soon as you know the change is needed.
Adding a driver for a one-way rental or long-term rental
The process for adding a driver is the same whether you are renting for one day or one month, but the cost structure differs. On a one-way rental, the additional driver fee applies for each day of the rental, which can add up quickly on a multi-week trip. On a long-term rental, some locations offer discounts on the daily driver fee or may waive it altogether — ask about this when you book.
For corporate rentals or fleet agreements, additional drivers are often handled differently. If you are renting through a company account, check with your fleet manager or the Enterprise account representative about how drivers are added and whether fees explore. Many corporate accounts have pre-approved driver lists or different fee structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a driver after I have already picked up the car?
Yes, but you must return to the rental location or call them when ready. The driver cannot legally operate the vehicle until they are added to the contract. If you add them after pickup, you will be charged the daily fee from the day you picked up the car, not from the day you added them.
What if the additional driver does not have a US driver's license?
Enterprise accepts valid driver's licenses from other countries, but they must be current and in English or have an official English translation. An International Driving Permit (IDP) alone is usually not enough — the person must also have their original license. Bring both documents to the rental counter.
Do I have to be in the car when the additional driver is driving?
No. Once someone is added to the contract, they can drive the car alone. However, you remain responsible for the rental agreement and any violations or damage that occurs while they are driving, so make sure they understand the terms and drive safely.
Will adding a driver increase my insurance cost?
The rental agreement fee is separate from your personal auto insurance. Adding a driver to the Enterprise contract does not affect your home insurance policy. However, if you decline Enterprise's damage waiver and rely on your personal insurance, check whether your policy covers rental cars driven by other people — some policies do not.
What if the additional driver has a bad driving record?
Enterprise may decline to add them. Call the location ahead of time with their license information and ask whether they will be approved. If they are declined, you have the option to rent the car for yourself only, or you can try a different rental company that may have different standards.