How to Add an Additional Driver to a Hertz Rental
Adding a second driver to a Hertz rental is straightforward in principle, but the cost, requirements, and exceptions vary enough that it's worth understanding how the process actually works before you get to the counter.
What "Additional Driver" Means in a Rental Agreement
When you rent a car, only the person named on the rental agreement is authorized to drive it. If anyone else gets behind the wheel — a spouse, travel companion, or colleague — and something goes wrong, the rental company can deny coverage and hold the primary renter liable.
Adding an additional driver puts that second person on the contract officially. They're covered under the same insurance and liability terms as the primary renter, and they're legally permitted to drive the vehicle.
Hertz allows you to add drivers at the time of booking or at the rental counter when you pick up the vehicle.
What Hertz Requires to Add a Driver
Every additional driver must meet the same basic requirements as the primary renter:
- Valid driver's license — issued in their home country or state
- Meet the minimum age requirement — this varies by location and vehicle class
- Be present at the counter — Hertz typically requires additional drivers to show their license in person at pickup
International licenses may be accepted, but requirements depend on the rental location and the driver's country of origin. Some locations require an International Driving Permit alongside a foreign license.
How Much Does It Cost to Add a Driver at Hertz? 💰
This is where things get complicated. Hertz charges a per-day fee for additional drivers, and that fee varies by:
- Rental location — rates differ between the U.S., Canada, Europe, and other regions
- Rental type — leisure vs. business rentals may be priced differently
- Membership status — Gold Plus Rewards members and certain loyalty tiers sometimes receive different treatment
In the United States, additional driver fees have historically run in the range of $10–$15 per day, though this changes over time and by location. Always confirm the current fee when booking.
When the Fee May Be Waived
Hertz waives the additional driver fee in specific circumstances:
| Situation | Fee Waiver Typically Applies |
|---|---|
| Spouse or domestic partner | Yes, at most U.S. locations |
| Gold Plus Rewards Five Star and President's Circle members | For one additional driver |
| USAA members | Per membership agreement terms |
| Corporate account holders | Depends on the corporate contract |
| AAA members | Varies by agreement — confirm before renting |
Domestic partner waivers usually require both people to be present at the counter. Hertz doesn't always ask for documentation proving the relationship, but policies differ by location.
If you hold a corporate Hertz account, your company's negotiated rate may already include one free additional driver — worth checking the contract details before assuming.
How to Add a Driver During Booking
You can request an additional driver when making your reservation online or through the Hertz app. Look for the "Additional Driver" option during the booking process. Adding it in advance doesn't guarantee a waived fee — it simply places the request so it can be finalized at the counter.
The actual addition to the contract happens at pickup, when the additional driver presents their license. The rental agent will verify the license, confirm the fee (or waiver eligibility), and add them to the agreement.
Age Restrictions for Additional Drivers 🚗
Hertz applies young driver surcharges to additional drivers under 25 in most U.S. locations, just as it would for a primary renter. These surcharges are separate from — and in addition to — the standard additional driver fee.
In some states, rental companies are prohibited from charging young driver surcharges to renters or drivers over a certain age threshold. California and Michigan have historically had restrictions on how rental companies can apply age-based fees, but rules change and vary, so it's worth verifying for your specific location.
Outside the U.S., minimum age requirements for additional drivers are often stricter and vary significantly by country.
Can You Add a Driver After Pickup?
If you've already left the lot and realize you need to add a driver, you'll need to return to the rental location to modify the agreement. Hertz does not allow you to add drivers remotely by phone or app after the contract has been initiated — the additional driver must present their license in person.
Some airport locations operate 24 hours and can process this change, but off-airport locations may have limited hours. Calling ahead before returning saves time.
What Counts as an Unauthorized Driver
Anyone not listed on the rental agreement who drives the vehicle is an unauthorized driver. This matters because:
- Damage caused by an unauthorized driver may not be covered, even if you purchased the Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)
- You may be personally liable for the full cost of damage or loss
- Your personal auto insurance or credit card coverage may also deny claims if the driver wasn't authorized
The risk is real and the cost of adding a driver — or qualifying for a waiver — is generally far lower than the exposure from leaving someone off the contract.
What Shapes Your Actual Cost and Experience
The final cost and process of adding a driver at Hertz depends on several things you bring to the situation: your membership tier, whether the second driver is a spouse or partner, your rental location, the specific vehicle class, and whether you're renting under a personal or corporate account. Two people asking the same question can walk away paying very different amounts — or nothing at all — based on those details.
