Can you rent a car, and pay for it but not be a licensed driver?

[gigi1313]

i have an odd question for two friends who are in an odd situation...

they will be travelling together, one lady does not drive/have a driver's license, but has a credit card... the other lady does drive, has a license but does not have a credit card... can the credit card holder reserve/pay for a rental and designate another driver?

 

[mmessler]

i have an odd question for two friends who are in an odd situation...

they will be travelling together, one lady does not drive/have a driver's license, but has a credit card... the other lady does drive, has a license but does not have a credit card... can the credit card holder reserve/pay for a rental and designate another driver?

I don't see why not, though it might vary by the car rental company. In my experiences with making car rental reservations, there hasn't been a space for driver's license #, only personal info and credit card. You might just end up having to switch the name on the rental as a technicality when you get there, simple and smooth. OTOH, with one smaller company we rented from in the past, it was a big complicated nightmare when I (as the driver) gave my credit card for the res. and my mother (as the person paying) wanted to use hers to pay when we dropped it back up.

In any event, regardless of the particulars, I'm sure it can be done. Good luck and have fun.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I have rented a car several times in my name and my dad has paid using his credit card beause I don't have one. The first time he rented in his name and added me on, after that it was just me but he paid. Most recently this past August. Usually we did it with Enterprise, last time it was Hertz. Never had a problem.

 

[Jestocost]

I have rented a car several times in my name and my dad has paid using his credit card beause I don't have one. The first time he rented in his name and added me on, after that it was just me but he paid. Most recently this past August. Usually we did it with Enterprise, last time it was Hertz. Never had a problem.

This isn't the exact situation that the OP raised, however, as both drivers in this case have a valid driver's license. That may make a difference. I'm sure one of our rental car experts will have a definitive answer, however.

 

[gigi1313]

just bumping...

dopeyfanatic, that is encouraging... i hope it will work...

 

[NotUrsula]

Yes, you can normally do it, but it tends to get a bit complicated at the counter, and the manager will usually get involved. Just advise them to budget for a bit of extra time picking up the car. Call the rental company in advance to let them know that this is what is planned -- if it is really impossible they should say so over the phone.

There WILL be pressure to buy the add'l insurance, because the driver will not have CC insurance coverage, and the argument will be that if there were an accident, the driver would be liable, not the renter. It is usually a good idea for the driver to check with their own insurance company and bring any documentation that shows that their home policy covers rental cars.