How to rent a car where the second driver cannot be present at rental pickup time?
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I'm living in Vancouver and would like to rent a car and go on a road trip with a friend from Seattle. Local car rentals usually allow at least one extra driver for free, but the standard requirement is for both drivers to show up at the rental desk. In my particular scenario this is inconvenient as I want to pick up a car at YVR airport and head down to Washington to go pick up my friend.
Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added to the insurance without showing up in person? Question is limited to major car rental companies in North America to reduce the scope.
usa canada car-rentals
asked Mar 6 at 22:39
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
12
down vote
favorite
I'm living in Vancouver and would like to rent a car and go on a road trip with a friend from Seattle. Local car rentals usually allow at least one extra driver for free, but the standard requirement is for both drivers to show up at the rental desk. In my particular scenario this is inconvenient as I want to pick up a car at YVR airport and head down to Washington to go pick up my friend.
Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added to the insurance without showing up in person? Question is limited to major car rental companies in North America to reduce the scope.
usa canada car-rentals
asked Mar 6 at 22:39
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
9
Have you asked any of the rental companies themselves?
– Moo
Mar 6 at 23:09
2
@Fattie: Yes you can, I've done this, twice. You rent the car in your name only, then have to come back on whatever date your friend is there and modify the rental agreement to add them.
– smci
Mar 7 at 2:35
2
Fattie: you can rent the car. Just not in both drivers' names. The question title doesn't explicitly require that. But yeah you can't add them mid-trip, without physically going to some rental office (usually but not always the one you rented from) and modifying the contract.
– smci
Mar 7 at 3:10
1
Any office, and many are downtown so you don't have to go to the airport. In fact the downtown offices will be far less busy. And one of the few places in downtown where you can park for free (for that purpose).
– Harper
Mar 7 at 7:20
1
" Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added without the second driver showing up in person? " It is absolutely impossible to circumvent this requirement. The second driver does have to SHOW UP IN PERSON at any office of that rental company. What a confusing QA! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:42
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
12
down vote
favorite
up vote
12
down vote
favorite
I'm living in Vancouver and would like to rent a car and go on a road trip with a friend from Seattle. Local car rentals usually allow at least one extra driver for free, but the standard requirement is for both drivers to show up at the rental desk. In my particular scenario this is inconvenient as I want to pick up a car at YVR airport and head down to Washington to go pick up my friend.
Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added to the insurance without showing up in person? Question is limited to major car rental companies in North America to reduce the scope.
usa canada car-rentals
asked Mar 6 at 22:39
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
I'm living in Vancouver and would like to rent a car and go on a road trip with a friend from Seattle. Local car rentals usually allow at least one extra driver for free, but the standard requirement is for both drivers to show up at the rental desk. In my particular scenario this is inconvenient as I want to pick up a car at YVR airport and head down to Washington to go pick up my friend.
Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added to the insurance without showing up in person? Question is limited to major car rental companies in North America to reduce the scope.
usa canada car-rentals
asked Mar 6 at 22:39
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
edited Mar 7 at 4:37
asked Mar 6 at 22:39
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
asked Mar 6 at 22:39
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
asked Mar 6 at 22:39
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
46.7k36213458
9
Have you asked any of the rental companies themselves?
– Moo
Mar 6 at 23:09
2
@Fattie: Yes you can, I've done this, twice. You rent the car in your name only, then have to come back on whatever date your friend is there and modify the rental agreement to add them.
– smci
Mar 7 at 2:35
2
Fattie: you can rent the car. Just not in both drivers' names. The question title doesn't explicitly require that. But yeah you can't add them mid-trip, without physically going to some rental office (usually but not always the one you rented from) and modifying the contract.
– smci
Mar 7 at 3:10
1
Any office, and many are downtown so you don't have to go to the airport. In fact the downtown offices will be far less busy. And one of the few places in downtown where you can park for free (for that purpose).
– Harper
Mar 7 at 7:20
1
" Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added without the second driver showing up in person? " It is absolutely impossible to circumvent this requirement. The second driver does have to SHOW UP IN PERSON at any office of that rental company. What a confusing QA! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:42
 |Â
show 5 more comments
9
Have you asked any of the rental companies themselves?
– Moo
Mar 6 at 23:09
2
@Fattie: Yes you can, I've done this, twice. You rent the car in your name only, then have to come back on whatever date your friend is there and modify the rental agreement to add them.
– smci
Mar 7 at 2:35
2
Fattie: you can rent the car. Just not in both drivers' names. The question title doesn't explicitly require that. But yeah you can't add them mid-trip, without physically going to some rental office (usually but not always the one you rented from) and modifying the contract.
– smci
Mar 7 at 3:10
1
Any office, and many are downtown so you don't have to go to the airport. In fact the downtown offices will be far less busy. And one of the few places in downtown where you can park for free (for that purpose).
– Harper
Mar 7 at 7:20
1
" Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added without the second driver showing up in person? " It is absolutely impossible to circumvent this requirement. The second driver does have to SHOW UP IN PERSON at any office of that rental company. What a confusing QA! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:42
9
9
Have you asked any of the rental companies themselves?
– Moo
Mar 6 at 23:09
Have you asked any of the rental companies themselves?
– Moo
Mar 6 at 23:09
2
2
@Fattie: Yes you can, I've done this, twice. You rent the car in your name only, then have to come back on whatever date your friend is there and modify the rental agreement to add them.
– smci
Mar 7 at 2:35
@Fattie: Yes you can, I've done this, twice. You rent the car in your name only, then have to come back on whatever date your friend is there and modify the rental agreement to add them.
– smci
Mar 7 at 2:35
2
2
Fattie: you can rent the car. Just not in both drivers' names. The question title doesn't explicitly require that. But yeah you can't add them mid-trip, without physically going to some rental office (usually but not always the one you rented from) and modifying the contract.
– smci
Mar 7 at 3:10
Fattie: you can rent the car. Just not in both drivers' names. The question title doesn't explicitly require that. But yeah you can't add them mid-trip, without physically going to some rental office (usually but not always the one you rented from) and modifying the contract.
– smci
Mar 7 at 3:10
1
1
Any office, and many are downtown so you don't have to go to the airport. In fact the downtown offices will be far less busy. And one of the few places in downtown where you can park for free (for that purpose).
– Harper
Mar 7 at 7:20
Any office, and many are downtown so you don't have to go to the airport. In fact the downtown offices will be far less busy. And one of the few places in downtown where you can park for free (for that purpose).
– Harper
Mar 7 at 7:20
1
1
" Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added without the second driver showing up in person? " It is absolutely impossible to circumvent this requirement. The second driver does have to SHOW UP IN PERSON at any office of that rental company. What a confusing QA! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:42
" Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added without the second driver showing up in person? " It is absolutely impossible to circumvent this requirement. The second driver does have to SHOW UP IN PERSON at any office of that rental company. What a confusing QA! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:42
 |Â
show 5 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Most of the answers here, and the question too for that matter, seem to assume that you're going to use the rental agency's loss damage waiver, and in my experience, they're accurate.
However, most "premium" credit cards (MC World, MC World Elite, etc...) have a "Travel Protection" benefit which covers you, and any drivers you authorize, to drive the vehicle. For example the CIBC credit card insurance states that:
(2) Any other person who drives the same rental vehicle with Your permission
whether or not such person has been listed on the rental vehicle contract or
has been identified to the Rental Agency at the time of making the rental,
however, You and all drivers must otherwise qualify under and follow the
terms of the rental contract and must be legally licensed and permitted to
drive the rental vehicle under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the rental
vehicle shall be used.
Generally they'll ask you to book, and pay for, the rental on said credit card, and specifically decline the agency's LDW.
Not all classes of vehicles are covered, and the terms can vary by issuer, so it's best to get a copy of them, to confirm if your card provides the benefit, and what's required to be covered.
edited Mar 8 at 0:34
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
answered Mar 7 at 20:59
GregL
1363
Accepting this answer for a creative solution. I actually do have a credit card with LDW coverage.
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 at 21:05
1
Surely you still need the permission of the rental company to allow other drivers than yourself to drive the vehicle? For example, there may be age restrictions set by the rental company or other restrictions not insurance related.
– Moo
Mar 7 at 21:09
Thanks @JonathanReez! I once got a no-cost Capital One card, just for this feature, because my main card didn't have it. But if you travel a lot, the cost of the premium card is probably worth it, because rental agency's LDWs can get expensive.
– GregL
Mar 7 at 21:09
1
@GregL are you sure about that? Its still their vehicle and their property, they have the right to say who can and cannot drive it, regardless of what your independent insurance covers...
– Moo
Mar 7 at 22:40
1
Just to clarify, what the rental company is selling you isn't insurance, but rather a "loss/damage waiver". They've covered their cars with a rental policy that doesn't include named drivers because it realistically can't. The waiver you're buying covers you (and others you name) in the event that you get into an accident, or the vehicle is damaged or stolen. What the credit card company has as part of their benefit is the same thing, only you don't have to provide the rental company names, and you can decline their coverage. A number of personal car insurance policies offer the same thing.
– GregL
Mar 8 at 0:12
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
19
down vote
The requirement for the additional driver to be present is there because the agent must verify that s/he is in fact licensed to drive and matches the identity on the driver's license.
As such, to do everything strictly by the book, you would rent the car solo, drive to pick up your friend, then stop at the nearest branch of the rental agency. There, your travel companion would be added to the rental agreement. For example, Alamo's Additional Driver Policy states
An additional driver may only be added to the contract at a rental location and may be added or removed in the middle of the contract. When adding an additional driver in the middle of the contract both the renter and the additional driver must be present at the location.
The system will calculate the charges based on the dates the additional driver was listed on the rental.
(emphasis in original)
answered Mar 6 at 23:13
choster
31.8k488142
it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle.
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 2:57
One exception alluded to in your link is some types of corporate rentals, where a special agreement applies. For example, when they rent vans at work, they automatically authorize all employees; somebody from our company goes and gets them and hands over the keys to drivers. Said agreement also drops the age limit to 18. However, I doubt this is going to help the OP.
– user71659
Mar 7 at 3:47
2
"it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle." Presumably you had to drive the car to the middle location; if you're not there, it would imply that you broke the rental agreement by having the extra person drive themselves. It'd be interesting if you had two people initially on the rental and wanted to add another. Do both of the initial people need to be present?
– Roger Lipscombe
Mar 7 at 9:53
hey @RogerLipscombe, lol right - what I had in mind is in a city depot person A could wander off to Starbucks, leaving person B to the annoying line and paperwork. The three-body problem you raise is intriguing, heh! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:44
@RogerLipscombe No, it's not implied that the driver to be added drove the car to the location. It could have been a different additional driver that is not the renter. The presence of the renter probably has more to do with the renter's permission to add the additional driver.
– mastov
Mar 7 at 11:16
 |Â
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up vote
4
down vote
I've asked a rental car company about this. I was told that the second person had to be present, however, "if the second person happened to be stuck at the airport collecting luggage or something, and I happened to have their driving licence, they'd add them". In other words, they'd let me add a second person if I had their driving licence with me and made up a story that they were nearby.
Can the other person fedex their licence to you or something? If so, you could try that.
Alternatively, if the rental car company has offices in the US, they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them. I've done that before on several occasions.
answered Mar 6 at 23:11
Berwyn
25.9k657130
1
that does seem exceptionally unusual, @Berwyn - was this many years ago??
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:28
"they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them." .. precisely
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:29
This strikes me as a rather risky strategy.
– ajd
Mar 7 at 4:58
@Fattie The first scenario was a few weeks ago when I asked about adding my wife without her having to go to the rental car place, and adding a second driver at another office - I last did that last year in the US with a colleague
– Berwyn
Mar 7 at 6:41
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Most of the answers here, and the question too for that matter, seem to assume that you're going to use the rental agency's loss damage waiver, and in my experience, they're accurate.
However, most "premium" credit cards (MC World, MC World Elite, etc...) have a "Travel Protection" benefit which covers you, and any drivers you authorize, to drive the vehicle. For example the CIBC credit card insurance states that:
(2) Any other person who drives the same rental vehicle with Your permission
whether or not such person has been listed on the rental vehicle contract or
has been identified to the Rental Agency at the time of making the rental,
however, You and all drivers must otherwise qualify under and follow the
terms of the rental contract and must be legally licensed and permitted to
drive the rental vehicle under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the rental
vehicle shall be used.
Generally they'll ask you to book, and pay for, the rental on said credit card, and specifically decline the agency's LDW.
Not all classes of vehicles are covered, and the terms can vary by issuer, so it's best to get a copy of them, to confirm if your card provides the benefit, and what's required to be covered.
edited Mar 8 at 0:34
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
answered Mar 7 at 20:59
GregL
1363
Accepting this answer for a creative solution. I actually do have a credit card with LDW coverage.
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 at 21:05
1
Surely you still need the permission of the rental company to allow other drivers than yourself to drive the vehicle? For example, there may be age restrictions set by the rental company or other restrictions not insurance related.
– Moo
Mar 7 at 21:09
Thanks @JonathanReez! I once got a no-cost Capital One card, just for this feature, because my main card didn't have it. But if you travel a lot, the cost of the premium card is probably worth it, because rental agency's LDWs can get expensive.
– GregL
Mar 7 at 21:09
1
@GregL are you sure about that? Its still their vehicle and their property, they have the right to say who can and cannot drive it, regardless of what your independent insurance covers...
– Moo
Mar 7 at 22:40
1
Just to clarify, what the rental company is selling you isn't insurance, but rather a "loss/damage waiver". They've covered their cars with a rental policy that doesn't include named drivers because it realistically can't. The waiver you're buying covers you (and others you name) in the event that you get into an accident, or the vehicle is damaged or stolen. What the credit card company has as part of their benefit is the same thing, only you don't have to provide the rental company names, and you can decline their coverage. A number of personal car insurance policies offer the same thing.
– GregL
Mar 8 at 0:12
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Most of the answers here, and the question too for that matter, seem to assume that you're going to use the rental agency's loss damage waiver, and in my experience, they're accurate.
However, most "premium" credit cards (MC World, MC World Elite, etc...) have a "Travel Protection" benefit which covers you, and any drivers you authorize, to drive the vehicle. For example the CIBC credit card insurance states that:
(2) Any other person who drives the same rental vehicle with Your permission
whether or not such person has been listed on the rental vehicle contract or
has been identified to the Rental Agency at the time of making the rental,
however, You and all drivers must otherwise qualify under and follow the
terms of the rental contract and must be legally licensed and permitted to
drive the rental vehicle under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the rental
vehicle shall be used.
Generally they'll ask you to book, and pay for, the rental on said credit card, and specifically decline the agency's LDW.
Not all classes of vehicles are covered, and the terms can vary by issuer, so it's best to get a copy of them, to confirm if your card provides the benefit, and what's required to be covered.
edited Mar 8 at 0:34
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
answered Mar 7 at 20:59
GregL
1363
Accepting this answer for a creative solution. I actually do have a credit card with LDW coverage.
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 at 21:05
1
Surely you still need the permission of the rental company to allow other drivers than yourself to drive the vehicle? For example, there may be age restrictions set by the rental company or other restrictions not insurance related.
– Moo
Mar 7 at 21:09
Thanks @JonathanReez! I once got a no-cost Capital One card, just for this feature, because my main card didn't have it. But if you travel a lot, the cost of the premium card is probably worth it, because rental agency's LDWs can get expensive.
– GregL
Mar 7 at 21:09
1
@GregL are you sure about that? Its still their vehicle and their property, they have the right to say who can and cannot drive it, regardless of what your independent insurance covers...
– Moo
Mar 7 at 22:40
1
Just to clarify, what the rental company is selling you isn't insurance, but rather a "loss/damage waiver". They've covered their cars with a rental policy that doesn't include named drivers because it realistically can't. The waiver you're buying covers you (and others you name) in the event that you get into an accident, or the vehicle is damaged or stolen. What the credit card company has as part of their benefit is the same thing, only you don't have to provide the rental company names, and you can decline their coverage. A number of personal car insurance policies offer the same thing.
– GregL
Mar 8 at 0:12
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Most of the answers here, and the question too for that matter, seem to assume that you're going to use the rental agency's loss damage waiver, and in my experience, they're accurate.
However, most "premium" credit cards (MC World, MC World Elite, etc...) have a "Travel Protection" benefit which covers you, and any drivers you authorize, to drive the vehicle. For example the CIBC credit card insurance states that:
(2) Any other person who drives the same rental vehicle with Your permission
whether or not such person has been listed on the rental vehicle contract or
has been identified to the Rental Agency at the time of making the rental,
however, You and all drivers must otherwise qualify under and follow the
terms of the rental contract and must be legally licensed and permitted to
drive the rental vehicle under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the rental
vehicle shall be used.
Generally they'll ask you to book, and pay for, the rental on said credit card, and specifically decline the agency's LDW.
Not all classes of vehicles are covered, and the terms can vary by issuer, so it's best to get a copy of them, to confirm if your card provides the benefit, and what's required to be covered.
edited Mar 8 at 0:34
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
answered Mar 7 at 20:59
GregL
1363
Most of the answers here, and the question too for that matter, seem to assume that you're going to use the rental agency's loss damage waiver, and in my experience, they're accurate.
However, most "premium" credit cards (MC World, MC World Elite, etc...) have a "Travel Protection" benefit which covers you, and any drivers you authorize, to drive the vehicle. For example the CIBC credit card insurance states that:
(2) Any other person who drives the same rental vehicle with Your permission
whether or not such person has been listed on the rental vehicle contract or
has been identified to the Rental Agency at the time of making the rental,
however, You and all drivers must otherwise qualify under and follow the
terms of the rental contract and must be legally licensed and permitted to
drive the rental vehicle under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the rental
vehicle shall be used.
Generally they'll ask you to book, and pay for, the rental on said credit card, and specifically decline the agency's LDW.
Not all classes of vehicles are covered, and the terms can vary by issuer, so it's best to get a copy of them, to confirm if your card provides the benefit, and what's required to be covered.
edited Mar 8 at 0:34
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
answered Mar 7 at 20:59
GregL
1363
edited Mar 8 at 0:34
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
edited Mar 8 at 0:34
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
edited Mar 8 at 0:34
JonathanReez♦
46.7k36213458
46.7k36213458
answered Mar 7 at 20:59
GregL
1363
answered Mar 7 at 20:59
GregL
1363
answered Mar 7 at 20:59
GregL
1363
1363
Accepting this answer for a creative solution. I actually do have a credit card with LDW coverage.
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 at 21:05
1
Surely you still need the permission of the rental company to allow other drivers than yourself to drive the vehicle? For example, there may be age restrictions set by the rental company or other restrictions not insurance related.
– Moo
Mar 7 at 21:09
Thanks @JonathanReez! I once got a no-cost Capital One card, just for this feature, because my main card didn't have it. But if you travel a lot, the cost of the premium card is probably worth it, because rental agency's LDWs can get expensive.
– GregL
Mar 7 at 21:09
1
@GregL are you sure about that? Its still their vehicle and their property, they have the right to say who can and cannot drive it, regardless of what your independent insurance covers...
– Moo
Mar 7 at 22:40
1
Just to clarify, what the rental company is selling you isn't insurance, but rather a "loss/damage waiver". They've covered their cars with a rental policy that doesn't include named drivers because it realistically can't. The waiver you're buying covers you (and others you name) in the event that you get into an accident, or the vehicle is damaged or stolen. What the credit card company has as part of their benefit is the same thing, only you don't have to provide the rental company names, and you can decline their coverage. A number of personal car insurance policies offer the same thing.
– GregL
Mar 8 at 0:12
 |Â
show 2 more comments
Accepting this answer for a creative solution. I actually do have a credit card with LDW coverage.
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 at 21:05
1
Surely you still need the permission of the rental company to allow other drivers than yourself to drive the vehicle? For example, there may be age restrictions set by the rental company or other restrictions not insurance related.
– Moo
Mar 7 at 21:09
Thanks @JonathanReez! I once got a no-cost Capital One card, just for this feature, because my main card didn't have it. But if you travel a lot, the cost of the premium card is probably worth it, because rental agency's LDWs can get expensive.
– GregL
Mar 7 at 21:09
1
@GregL are you sure about that? Its still their vehicle and their property, they have the right to say who can and cannot drive it, regardless of what your independent insurance covers...
– Moo
Mar 7 at 22:40
1
Just to clarify, what the rental company is selling you isn't insurance, but rather a "loss/damage waiver". They've covered their cars with a rental policy that doesn't include named drivers because it realistically can't. The waiver you're buying covers you (and others you name) in the event that you get into an accident, or the vehicle is damaged or stolen. What the credit card company has as part of their benefit is the same thing, only you don't have to provide the rental company names, and you can decline their coverage. A number of personal car insurance policies offer the same thing.
– GregL
Mar 8 at 0:12
Accepting this answer for a creative solution. I actually do have a credit card with LDW coverage.
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 at 21:05
Accepting this answer for a creative solution. I actually do have a credit card with LDW coverage.
– JonathanReez♦
Mar 7 at 21:05
1
1
Surely you still need the permission of the rental company to allow other drivers than yourself to drive the vehicle? For example, there may be age restrictions set by the rental company or other restrictions not insurance related.
– Moo
Mar 7 at 21:09
Surely you still need the permission of the rental company to allow other drivers than yourself to drive the vehicle? For example, there may be age restrictions set by the rental company or other restrictions not insurance related.
– Moo
Mar 7 at 21:09
Thanks @JonathanReez! I once got a no-cost Capital One card, just for this feature, because my main card didn't have it. But if you travel a lot, the cost of the premium card is probably worth it, because rental agency's LDWs can get expensive.
– GregL
Mar 7 at 21:09
Thanks @JonathanReez! I once got a no-cost Capital One card, just for this feature, because my main card didn't have it. But if you travel a lot, the cost of the premium card is probably worth it, because rental agency's LDWs can get expensive.
– GregL
Mar 7 at 21:09
1
1
@GregL are you sure about that? Its still their vehicle and their property, they have the right to say who can and cannot drive it, regardless of what your independent insurance covers...
– Moo
Mar 7 at 22:40
@GregL are you sure about that? Its still their vehicle and their property, they have the right to say who can and cannot drive it, regardless of what your independent insurance covers...
– Moo
Mar 7 at 22:40
1
1
Just to clarify, what the rental company is selling you isn't insurance, but rather a "loss/damage waiver". They've covered their cars with a rental policy that doesn't include named drivers because it realistically can't. The waiver you're buying covers you (and others you name) in the event that you get into an accident, or the vehicle is damaged or stolen. What the credit card company has as part of their benefit is the same thing, only you don't have to provide the rental company names, and you can decline their coverage. A number of personal car insurance policies offer the same thing.
– GregL
Mar 8 at 0:12
Just to clarify, what the rental company is selling you isn't insurance, but rather a "loss/damage waiver". They've covered their cars with a rental policy that doesn't include named drivers because it realistically can't. The waiver you're buying covers you (and others you name) in the event that you get into an accident, or the vehicle is damaged or stolen. What the credit card company has as part of their benefit is the same thing, only you don't have to provide the rental company names, and you can decline their coverage. A number of personal car insurance policies offer the same thing.
– GregL
Mar 8 at 0:12
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
19
down vote
The requirement for the additional driver to be present is there because the agent must verify that s/he is in fact licensed to drive and matches the identity on the driver's license.
As such, to do everything strictly by the book, you would rent the car solo, drive to pick up your friend, then stop at the nearest branch of the rental agency. There, your travel companion would be added to the rental agreement. For example, Alamo's Additional Driver Policy states
An additional driver may only be added to the contract at a rental location and may be added or removed in the middle of the contract. When adding an additional driver in the middle of the contract both the renter and the additional driver must be present at the location.
The system will calculate the charges based on the dates the additional driver was listed on the rental.
(emphasis in original)
answered Mar 6 at 23:13
choster
31.8k488142
it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle.
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 2:57
One exception alluded to in your link is some types of corporate rentals, where a special agreement applies. For example, when they rent vans at work, they automatically authorize all employees; somebody from our company goes and gets them and hands over the keys to drivers. Said agreement also drops the age limit to 18. However, I doubt this is going to help the OP.
– user71659
Mar 7 at 3:47
2
"it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle." Presumably you had to drive the car to the middle location; if you're not there, it would imply that you broke the rental agreement by having the extra person drive themselves. It'd be interesting if you had two people initially on the rental and wanted to add another. Do both of the initial people need to be present?
– Roger Lipscombe
Mar 7 at 9:53
hey @RogerLipscombe, lol right - what I had in mind is in a city depot person A could wander off to Starbucks, leaving person B to the annoying line and paperwork. The three-body problem you raise is intriguing, heh! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:44
@RogerLipscombe No, it's not implied that the driver to be added drove the car to the location. It could have been a different additional driver that is not the renter. The presence of the renter probably has more to do with the renter's permission to add the additional driver.
– mastov
Mar 7 at 11:16
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
19
down vote
The requirement for the additional driver to be present is there because the agent must verify that s/he is in fact licensed to drive and matches the identity on the driver's license.
As such, to do everything strictly by the book, you would rent the car solo, drive to pick up your friend, then stop at the nearest branch of the rental agency. There, your travel companion would be added to the rental agreement. For example, Alamo's Additional Driver Policy states
An additional driver may only be added to the contract at a rental location and may be added or removed in the middle of the contract. When adding an additional driver in the middle of the contract both the renter and the additional driver must be present at the location.
The system will calculate the charges based on the dates the additional driver was listed on the rental.
(emphasis in original)
answered Mar 6 at 23:13
choster
31.8k488142
it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle.
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 2:57
One exception alluded to in your link is some types of corporate rentals, where a special agreement applies. For example, when they rent vans at work, they automatically authorize all employees; somebody from our company goes and gets them and hands over the keys to drivers. Said agreement also drops the age limit to 18. However, I doubt this is going to help the OP.
– user71659
Mar 7 at 3:47
2
"it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle." Presumably you had to drive the car to the middle location; if you're not there, it would imply that you broke the rental agreement by having the extra person drive themselves. It'd be interesting if you had two people initially on the rental and wanted to add another. Do both of the initial people need to be present?
– Roger Lipscombe
Mar 7 at 9:53
hey @RogerLipscombe, lol right - what I had in mind is in a city depot person A could wander off to Starbucks, leaving person B to the annoying line and paperwork. The three-body problem you raise is intriguing, heh! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:44
@RogerLipscombe No, it's not implied that the driver to be added drove the car to the location. It could have been a different additional driver that is not the renter. The presence of the renter probably has more to do with the renter's permission to add the additional driver.
– mastov
Mar 7 at 11:16
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
19
down vote
up vote
19
down vote
The requirement for the additional driver to be present is there because the agent must verify that s/he is in fact licensed to drive and matches the identity on the driver's license.
As such, to do everything strictly by the book, you would rent the car solo, drive to pick up your friend, then stop at the nearest branch of the rental agency. There, your travel companion would be added to the rental agreement. For example, Alamo's Additional Driver Policy states
An additional driver may only be added to the contract at a rental location and may be added or removed in the middle of the contract. When adding an additional driver in the middle of the contract both the renter and the additional driver must be present at the location.
The system will calculate the charges based on the dates the additional driver was listed on the rental.
(emphasis in original)
answered Mar 6 at 23:13
choster
31.8k488142
The requirement for the additional driver to be present is there because the agent must verify that s/he is in fact licensed to drive and matches the identity on the driver's license.
As such, to do everything strictly by the book, you would rent the car solo, drive to pick up your friend, then stop at the nearest branch of the rental agency. There, your travel companion would be added to the rental agreement. For example, Alamo's Additional Driver Policy states
An additional driver may only be added to the contract at a rental location and may be added or removed in the middle of the contract. When adding an additional driver in the middle of the contract both the renter and the additional driver must be present at the location.
The system will calculate the charges based on the dates the additional driver was listed on the rental.
(emphasis in original)
answered Mar 6 at 23:13
choster
31.8k488142
answered Mar 6 at 23:13
choster
31.8k488142
answered Mar 6 at 23:13
choster
31.8k488142
answered Mar 6 at 23:13
choster
31.8k488142
31.8k488142
it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle.
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 2:57
One exception alluded to in your link is some types of corporate rentals, where a special agreement applies. For example, when they rent vans at work, they automatically authorize all employees; somebody from our company goes and gets them and hands over the keys to drivers. Said agreement also drops the age limit to 18. However, I doubt this is going to help the OP.
– user71659
Mar 7 at 3:47
2
"it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle." Presumably you had to drive the car to the middle location; if you're not there, it would imply that you broke the rental agreement by having the extra person drive themselves. It'd be interesting if you had two people initially on the rental and wanted to add another. Do both of the initial people need to be present?
– Roger Lipscombe
Mar 7 at 9:53
hey @RogerLipscombe, lol right - what I had in mind is in a city depot person A could wander off to Starbucks, leaving person B to the annoying line and paperwork. The three-body problem you raise is intriguing, heh! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:44
@RogerLipscombe No, it's not implied that the driver to be added drove the car to the location. It could have been a different additional driver that is not the renter. The presence of the renter probably has more to do with the renter's permission to add the additional driver.
– mastov
Mar 7 at 11:16
 |Â
show 5 more comments
it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle.
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 2:57
One exception alluded to in your link is some types of corporate rentals, where a special agreement applies. For example, when they rent vans at work, they automatically authorize all employees; somebody from our company goes and gets them and hands over the keys to drivers. Said agreement also drops the age limit to 18. However, I doubt this is going to help the OP.
– user71659
Mar 7 at 3:47
2
"it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle." Presumably you had to drive the car to the middle location; if you're not there, it would imply that you broke the rental agreement by having the extra person drive themselves. It'd be interesting if you had two people initially on the rental and wanted to add another. Do both of the initial people need to be present?
– Roger Lipscombe
Mar 7 at 9:53
hey @RogerLipscombe, lol right - what I had in mind is in a city depot person A could wander off to Starbucks, leaving person B to the annoying line and paperwork. The three-body problem you raise is intriguing, heh! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:44
@RogerLipscombe No, it's not implied that the driver to be added drove the car to the location. It could have been a different additional driver that is not the renter. The presence of the renter probably has more to do with the renter's permission to add the additional driver.
– mastov
Mar 7 at 11:16
it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle.
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 2:57
it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle.
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 2:57
One exception alluded to in your link is some types of corporate rentals, where a special agreement applies. For example, when they rent vans at work, they automatically authorize all employees; somebody from our company goes and gets them and hands over the keys to drivers. Said agreement also drops the age limit to 18. However, I doubt this is going to help the OP.
– user71659
Mar 7 at 3:47
One exception alluded to in your link is some types of corporate rentals, where a special agreement applies. For example, when they rent vans at work, they automatically authorize all employees; somebody from our company goes and gets them and hands over the keys to drivers. Said agreement also drops the age limit to 18. However, I doubt this is going to help the OP.
– user71659
Mar 7 at 3:47
2
2
"it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle." Presumably you had to drive the car to the middle location; if you're not there, it would imply that you broke the rental agreement by having the extra person drive themselves. It'd be interesting if you had two people initially on the rental and wanted to add another. Do both of the initial people need to be present?
– Roger Lipscombe
Mar 7 at 9:53
"it's interesting point you BOTH have to be present, when adding someone in the middle." Presumably you had to drive the car to the middle location; if you're not there, it would imply that you broke the rental agreement by having the extra person drive themselves. It'd be interesting if you had two people initially on the rental and wanted to add another. Do both of the initial people need to be present?
– Roger Lipscombe
Mar 7 at 9:53
hey @RogerLipscombe, lol right - what I had in mind is in a city depot person A could wander off to Starbucks, leaving person B to the annoying line and paperwork. The three-body problem you raise is intriguing, heh! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:44
hey @RogerLipscombe, lol right - what I had in mind is in a city depot person A could wander off to Starbucks, leaving person B to the annoying line and paperwork. The three-body problem you raise is intriguing, heh! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:44
@RogerLipscombe No, it's not implied that the driver to be added drove the car to the location. It could have been a different additional driver that is not the renter. The presence of the renter probably has more to do with the renter's permission to add the additional driver.
– mastov
Mar 7 at 11:16
@RogerLipscombe No, it's not implied that the driver to be added drove the car to the location. It could have been a different additional driver that is not the renter. The presence of the renter probably has more to do with the renter's permission to add the additional driver.
– mastov
Mar 7 at 11:16
 |Â
show 5 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
I've asked a rental car company about this. I was told that the second person had to be present, however, "if the second person happened to be stuck at the airport collecting luggage or something, and I happened to have their driving licence, they'd add them". In other words, they'd let me add a second person if I had their driving licence with me and made up a story that they were nearby.
Can the other person fedex their licence to you or something? If so, you could try that.
Alternatively, if the rental car company has offices in the US, they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them. I've done that before on several occasions.
answered Mar 6 at 23:11
Berwyn
25.9k657130
1
that does seem exceptionally unusual, @Berwyn - was this many years ago??
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:28
"they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them." .. precisely
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:29
This strikes me as a rather risky strategy.
– ajd
Mar 7 at 4:58
@Fattie The first scenario was a few weeks ago when I asked about adding my wife without her having to go to the rental car place, and adding a second driver at another office - I last did that last year in the US with a colleague
– Berwyn
Mar 7 at 6:41
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
I've asked a rental car company about this. I was told that the second person had to be present, however, "if the second person happened to be stuck at the airport collecting luggage or something, and I happened to have their driving licence, they'd add them". In other words, they'd let me add a second person if I had their driving licence with me and made up a story that they were nearby.
Can the other person fedex their licence to you or something? If so, you could try that.
Alternatively, if the rental car company has offices in the US, they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them. I've done that before on several occasions.
answered Mar 6 at 23:11
Berwyn
25.9k657130
1
that does seem exceptionally unusual, @Berwyn - was this many years ago??
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:28
"they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them." .. precisely
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:29
This strikes me as a rather risky strategy.
– ajd
Mar 7 at 4:58
@Fattie The first scenario was a few weeks ago when I asked about adding my wife without her having to go to the rental car place, and adding a second driver at another office - I last did that last year in the US with a colleague
– Berwyn
Mar 7 at 6:41
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
I've asked a rental car company about this. I was told that the second person had to be present, however, "if the second person happened to be stuck at the airport collecting luggage or something, and I happened to have their driving licence, they'd add them". In other words, they'd let me add a second person if I had their driving licence with me and made up a story that they were nearby.
Can the other person fedex their licence to you or something? If so, you could try that.
Alternatively, if the rental car company has offices in the US, they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them. I've done that before on several occasions.
answered Mar 6 at 23:11
Berwyn
25.9k657130
I've asked a rental car company about this. I was told that the second person had to be present, however, "if the second person happened to be stuck at the airport collecting luggage or something, and I happened to have their driving licence, they'd add them". In other words, they'd let me add a second person if I had their driving licence with me and made up a story that they were nearby.
Can the other person fedex their licence to you or something? If so, you could try that.
Alternatively, if the rental car company has offices in the US, they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them. I've done that before on several occasions.
answered Mar 6 at 23:11
Berwyn
25.9k657130
answered Mar 6 at 23:11
Berwyn
25.9k657130
answered Mar 6 at 23:11
Berwyn
25.9k657130
answered Mar 6 at 23:11
Berwyn
25.9k657130
25.9k657130
1
that does seem exceptionally unusual, @Berwyn - was this many years ago??
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:28
"they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them." .. precisely
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:29
This strikes me as a rather risky strategy.
– ajd
Mar 7 at 4:58
@Fattie The first scenario was a few weeks ago when I asked about adding my wife without her having to go to the rental car place, and adding a second driver at another office - I last did that last year in the US with a colleague
– Berwyn
Mar 7 at 6:41
add a comment |Â
1
that does seem exceptionally unusual, @Berwyn - was this many years ago??
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:28
"they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them." .. precisely
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:29
This strikes me as a rather risky strategy.
– ajd
Mar 7 at 4:58
@Fattie The first scenario was a few weeks ago when I asked about adding my wife without her having to go to the rental car place, and adding a second driver at another office - I last did that last year in the US with a colleague
– Berwyn
Mar 7 at 6:41
1
1
that does seem exceptionally unusual, @Berwyn - was this many years ago??
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:28
that does seem exceptionally unusual, @Berwyn - was this many years ago??
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:28
"they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them." .. precisely
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:29
"they will let you add the second person at another office if you turn up with them." .. precisely
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 0:29
This strikes me as a rather risky strategy.
– ajd
Mar 7 at 4:58
This strikes me as a rather risky strategy.
– ajd
Mar 7 at 4:58
@Fattie The first scenario was a few weeks ago when I asked about adding my wife without her having to go to the rental car place, and adding a second driver at another office - I last did that last year in the US with a colleague
– Berwyn
Mar 7 at 6:41
@Fattie The first scenario was a few weeks ago when I asked about adding my wife without her having to go to the rental car place, and adding a second driver at another office - I last did that last year in the US with a colleague
– Berwyn
Mar 7 at 6:41
add a comment |Â
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Clash Royale CLAN TAG
9
Have you asked any of the rental companies themselves?
– Moo
Mar 6 at 23:09
2
@Fattie: Yes you can, I've done this, twice. You rent the car in your name only, then have to come back on whatever date your friend is there and modify the rental agreement to add them.
– smci
Mar 7 at 2:35
2
Fattie: you can rent the car. Just not in both drivers' names. The question title doesn't explicitly require that. But yeah you can't add them mid-trip, without physically going to some rental office (usually but not always the one you rented from) and modifying the contract.
– smci
Mar 7 at 3:10
1
Any office, and many are downtown so you don't have to go to the airport. In fact the downtown offices will be far less busy. And one of the few places in downtown where you can park for free (for that purpose).
– Harper
Mar 7 at 7:20
1
" Is it possible to somehow circumvent this requirement and have the second driver be added without the second driver showing up in person? " It is absolutely impossible to circumvent this requirement. The second driver does have to SHOW UP IN PERSON at any office of that rental company. What a confusing QA! :)
– Fattie
Mar 7 at 10:42