Car rental: Does "add't driver" ALWAYS have to be present when renting?

[DanenRox]

So we think it would be wise to share a car rental with our cousins. They're arriving the day after we do however. Many car rental agencies note that the additional driver has to be present at the rental counter. Is that always the case? How about this...if we pick up the cousins at the airport the next day can we revisit the rental counter then and add the add't driver? Oh brother...any ideas?

 

[crashbb]

Yes to both questions.

You cannot add an additional driver without them being there (they need to show their driver's license). And, yes, you can revisit the car rental counter when they arrive and add them then (I've done it many times).

 

[DanenRox]

Great! Now, if I may ask another question...
If the car company I end up with allows for a spouse to be a free additional driver as well, is it true that My husband, myself, my cousin and his wife will all be able to drive?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If the car company I end up with allows for a spouse to be a free additional driver as well, is it true that My husband, myself, my cousin and his wife will all be able to drive?

As long as you pay any fees required for the additional drivers and they show their licenses to the rental agent, you should be fine. I'm not sure that you will need all of you to be authorized drivers.

 

[LSchrow]

Great! Now, if I may ask another question...
If the car company I end up with allows for a spouse to be a free additional driver as well, is it true that My husband, myself, my cousin and his wife will all be able to drive?

the free additional spouse would be your cousin's wife (if he rents the car).
you and your dh would be simply additional drivers, which are normally not free.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Great! Now, if I may ask another question...
If the car company I end up with allows for a spouse to be a free additional driver as well, is it true that My husband, myself, my cousin and his wife will all be able to drive?

I don't think so.. it's the spouse of the renter in most cases.

However, everything may change based on the contract YOU have with the rental car company so you would have to ask them to be sure.

 

[DanenRox]

Great! Now, if I may ask another question...
If the car company I end up with allows for a spouse to be a free additional driver as well, is it true that My husband, myself, my cousin and his wife will all be able to drive?

I'm sorry, I think I posed that question poorly. I will ultimately call the auto rental agency but this is what I meant to ask...
If I choose a rental company that allows for a spouse to be a free additional driver, THEN PAY for my cousin AS AN ACTUAL ADDITIONAL DRIVE, is my cousin's wife ALSO allowed to be a free additional driver? You know what I mean? We're frankly not all looking to be driving around Orlando but I like to know my options. I'm gonna make a call....

 

[DanenRox]

So I should have listened to all of you...you were right. Yes, I can be a free additional driver and we can PAY to have my cousin as an additional driver. Period. I'm good with that!
AND...I'm very excited because having learned from the boards that I could add the PAYING additional driver after the fact, I have now learned we can do so from any counter location (which for this company is right next door at the Dolphin!) Win-Win. Thank you all!

 

[skelooch]

I just spoke to Alamo about an additional driver recently.
The additional driver does not have to be with you at the time you pick up the car. For example if the additional driver arrived at a different time or day as you, and you have already picked up the car, you can go to any Alamo location to show the additional drivers licence.