Hertz Add a Driver: How It Works, What It Costs, and What to Know Before You Rent

When you rent a car through Hertz, only the person who signs the rental agreement is authorized to drive it. If someone else needs to get behind the wheel — a spouse, travel companion, or colleague — they need to be formally added to the contract as an additional driver. This isn't just a formality. Driving a rental without being listed can void the rental company's liability coverage and leave everyone exposed.

Here's how the Hertz additional driver process works, what factors affect cost, and what varies depending on your situation.

What "Add a Driver" Means on a Hertz Rental

An additional driver (sometimes called an authorized driver) is any person beyond the primary renter who is permitted to operate the vehicle during the rental period. Hertz requires that every driver be listed at the time of pickup or added before they drive — not after the fact.

The additional driver must be present at the rental counter when being added. They need to show their own valid driver's license, and in most cases, Hertz will verify their age and license standing. You can't simply call in a name or add someone online after you've left the lot.

How Much Hertz Charges for an Additional Driver

Hertz typically charges a per-day fee for each additional driver. The exact amount varies by:

• Rental location — U.S. domestic rates differ from international locations
• Rental program or membership — Gold Plus Rewards members, corporate account holders, and certain credit card programs may receive waivers
• Type of rental agreement — leisure versus business rentals are sometimes structured differently

As of recent published rates, the daily fee at U.S. locations has generally been in the range of $10–$15 per day, though this figure can change and varies by location. Always confirm the current fee at your specific pickup location or when booking.

Who Qualifies as an Additional Driver

Not everyone can be added. Hertz applies the same minimum age and license requirements to additional drivers as to primary renters. In most U.S. states, drivers must be at least 25 years old to avoid a young driver surcharge, though drivers as young as 20 may be allowed at some locations — with an extra fee applied.

The additional driver must:

• Hold a valid driver's license in their name
• Meet the minimum age requirement for that rental location
• Be physically present at the counter to present their license

International licenses may be accepted at some locations, but policies vary. If the additional driver holds a foreign license issued in a non-English-language country, an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be required alongside the original license.

Spouses and Domestic Partners: The Fee Waiver

One common question is whether a spouse automatically drives for free. At many Hertz locations in the United States, spouses and domestic partners are added at no charge — but this isn't universal or automatic.

To qualify for the waiver, you typically need to show documentation confirming the relationship, such as:

• A marriage certificate
• Matching last names on IDs (accepted at some locations, not others)
• Other proof of domestic partnership depending on location policy

This waiver isn't guaranteed internationally. Hertz's policies in Europe, Latin America, and other regions may handle this differently.

Credit Card Coverage and Additional Drivers 🚗

Many travelers rely on their credit card's rental car coverage instead of purchasing Hertz's own protection products. If you're doing that, it's important to understand how the card treats additional drivers.

Most credit card rental coverage extends to authorized drivers listed on the rental agreement. If someone drives the car without being added to the contract, they may not be covered — either by the card or by Hertz's own liability protections. The definition of "authorized" typically means listed by name in the agreement, so informal arrangements don't offer the same protection.

Check your card's benefits guide directly. Coverage terms vary significantly by issuer and card tier.

What Happens If an Unlisted Driver Operates the Vehicle

If an unlisted driver is involved in an accident, Hertz may consider the rental agreement in breach. This can result in:

• Loss of Hertz's liability protection for that driver
• Personal financial liability for damages
• Potential denial of any claim under credit card or personal auto insurance

Personal auto insurance policies sometimes extend to rental cars, but the extension usually applies only to authorized drivers as defined by the rental company. An unlisted driver creates a gap that's difficult to close after the fact.

Variables That Shape Your Outcome

How the additional driver policy applies to you depends on factors that can't be generalized:

• Your Hertz loyalty status — Gold members, Presidents Circle members, or Five Star members may see different fee treatment
• Your employer's corporate code — many business accounts negotiate blanket fee waivers for employees
• Your credit card benefits — some premium travel cards offer fee waivers as a cardholder perk
• Your pickup location — airport and downtown locations sometimes have different rate structures
• The rental country — international locations operate under local laws and Hertz's regional policies

The combination of where you're renting, how you're paying, and what membership or corporate programs you belong to determines whether adding a driver costs you nothing or adds up meaningfully over a multi-day rental.

Your specific rental agreement, pickup location, and any memberships or card benefits you hold are the details that determine exactly what you'll pay — and what coverage applies.