Many reasons exist for needing a rental car, from being on vacation to business purposes to needing a replacement while a car is under repair. If more than one person needs to drive the rental car, most rental companies require the additional drivers to sign the rental contract, and sometimes the company charges an extra person fee. Several rental companies have a spouse or domestic partner clause in their additional driver requirements that allow the spouse or domestic partner of the person renting to drive the rental car for free.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Customers renting a car with Enterprise Rent-A-Car can add their spouse or domestic partner as an authorized driver for no additional fee, according to the Enterprise website. All other authorized drivers incur a $5 to $10 per person fee to be allowed to drive the rental car. Primary drivers and their spouses must be at least 21 years or older to rent and drive a rental car and must possess a valid driver's license.
Hertz Car Rental
When renting a car with Hertz Car Rental, the spouse of the primary driver may be added as an "Authorized Operator" for free for rentals in California and Iowa, states the Hertz website. Spouses who wish to drive the rental car in all other states must be added as an additional driver for a fee of $10.67 a day in Nevada, $3 a day in New York or $13 a day in every other state. Additional drivers must sign the rental contract and present a valid driver's license, debit or credit card and be at least 21 years old.
Avis
According to the Avis website, the spouse or domestic partner of a primary rental car driver may be added as a driver to the rental contract for no additional charge. The spouse or domestic partner must be at least 25 years old but does not need to present a valid license and credit or debit card or complete an additional driver form. The fee for additional drivers runs $3 a day in New York, $10 a day in Nevada and $13 a day in all other states.