Additional Driver Fees on Car Rentals: Costs, Waivers, and State Laws

Additional driver fees on car rentals typically run $13 to $15 per day at the major brands, but a long list of state laws, membership programs, and company policies can knock the charge down or eliminate it. Whether you pay depends on who the second driver is, where you’re renting, and what cards you carry.

What the Daily Fee Actually Runs

The surcharge is remarkably consistent across major brands. Enterprise charges $15 per day per additional driver. Budget and Avis both charge $13 per day.¹²³ Budget and Avis cap the total at $65 per rental no matter how long you keep the car, so five days costs the same as twenty.

The fee applies for every day the second driver is listed on the contract, not just the days they actually drive. Add someone at pickup, never hand them the keys, and you still pay the full charge.¹ Enterprise bills based on the specific dates a driver is on the agreement, so adding or removing someone mid-trip changes the total accordingly.

State Laws That Cut or Kill the Fee

California prohibits rental companies from charging an additional driver fee when the extra driver is the renter’s spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, employer, or coworker.⁴ That covers most people you’d realistically share driving duties with. Fees can still apply to anyone outside those categories.

New York caps the fee for everyone. Under current law it cannot exceed $5 per additional driver per day, which is why Enterprise’s New York rate matches that figure exactly.⁵¹ Starting June 30, 2028, the cap drops to $3 per day.

Several companies waive the fee for spouses and domestic partners regardless of state. Budget, for example, treats both as pre-authorized additional drivers at no charge nationwide.² Ask before you accept the charge at the counter.

Memberships and Corporate Accounts

Memberships are where the biggest savings sit. AAA members renting from Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty get the fee waived when both the primary renter and the second driver hold AAA memberships. A spouse or domestic partner doesn’t need a separate membership to qualify.⁶ You’ll need your AAA Club Code on the reservation or a membership card at the counter.

USAA members get a similar deal at National: no fee for a spouse, domestic partner, or USAA family member who meets the standard age and license rules.⁷ AARP members can add one free additional driver per rental at Payless, provided the driver meets the company’s standard requirements.⁸

Corporate accounts often include the same waiver. Budget pre-authorizes coworkers and employers as additional drivers at no charge when the vehicle is rented under a business account.² If you travel for work, check your company’s travel program before paying out of pocket.

Disability Accommodation

A renter with a disability who doesn’t hold a driver’s license can still rent a vehicle as long as they’re accompanied by a licensed driver who meets the company’s standard requirements. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the rental company must waive the additional driver fee for that companion. Budget’s policy explicitly lists the “companion driver for a renter with a disability” as a pre-authorized additional driver at no charge.² Expect to fill out a non-licensed renter form at the counter.

Who Qualifies as an Additional Driver

Every additional driver must present a valid, unexpired license at the counter.¹⁹ The agency checks that it isn’t suspended or restricted. Most companies set 25 as the standard minimum age; some will authorize drivers as young as 20 with a young driver surcharge applied.³ Agents may also check driving history and decline authorization for major violations or recent accidents.²

Claiming a membership waiver? Bring proof. A physical AAA card, AARP card, or verifiable digital credential is what the agent uses to confirm eligibility.⁸

International Drivers

Visitors from other countries can be added, but the license rules get more complex. Some states and rental companies require an International Driving Permit alongside the foreign license. An IDP isn’t a standalone license; it’s a translation document that must accompany the original.¹⁰ Requirements vary by state and company, so check both before arriving at the counter.

How to Add Someone to the Contract

The simplest option is adding the driver at pickup. They need to be physically present at the counter with their license so the agent can verify identity and have them sign the agreement.¹¹ Avis lets you download and pre-fill an additional driver form before arrival, which speeds things up without eliminating the in-person step.³

You can also add someone mid-trip. Both the primary renter and the new driver visit a branch together. Enterprise charges only for the dates the additional driver is actually on the contract, so you won’t be billed retroactively for earlier days.¹ The same age and license requirements apply either way.

What It Costs to Skip This Step

Letting someone drive your rental without adding them to the contract can void every protection the agreement provides. The damage waiver, liability protection, personal accident insurance, and any other optional coverage you purchased can be terminated if an unlisted driver is behind the wheel when something goes wrong. The primary renter then becomes personally liable for damages, fines, and penalties.

Your personal auto insurance might still respond, but that depends on your policy language and state law, and counting on it is a gamble. Paying $13 a day, or finding one of the waivers above, is the cheaper path.

1
Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Can I Add an Additional Driver to My Rental Car in the United States?
2
Budget Car Rental. Additional Driver Policy
3
Avis. Can Your Rental Car Have an Additional Driver?
4
California Legislative Information. California Civil Code 1939.19
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New York State Senate. New York General Business Law Section 396-Z – Rental Vehicle Protections
6
Your AAA. Add Another Driver to Your Car Rental
7
National Car Rental. USAA Car Rental Frequently Asked Questions
8
Payless Car Rental. AARP Members Save 5% on Rentals
9
Thrifty. Driver Requirements
10
USAGov. Driving in the U.S. if You Are Not a Citizen
11
Dollar Rent A Car. Additional Car Rental Drivers