Car rental for two drivers?

cherryblossomzel

Hi all


OH and I will be going to Dublin in June. We're looking to rent a car at the airport and deliver it back again a week later. I've only ever rented a car by myself, so I have a few questions:


Do the rental companies tend to charge extra for a second, non-related, driver?


Do both drivers need to be present to pick up the car? (We'll not arrive in Dublin together, so it would be easiest if he could pick it up by himself, but I'm still allowed to drive it later)


Thanks!




Edit: just realised there is actually a UK holiday forum too. I'll go ask over there.

PeacefulWaters

But Dublin isn't in the UK!

Do the rental companies tend to charge extra for a second, non-related, driver?

Yes. Although some may not. Avis bookings via BA include a free additional driver.

Do both drivers need to be present to pick up the car?

I would have thought so.

cherryblossomzel

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

But Dublin isn't in the UK!

Whoops. Forgot about that. Will now have to remove the other thread .


Thanks for your help.

eDicky

They will need to see the second driver's licence at the car rental desk on pickup, so if it is rented in his name and he has your licence with him to show, it should be ok.

EssexExile

Don't both have to sign the agreement?

eDicky

EssexExile wrote: »

Don't both have to sign the agreement?

Additional driver's name is entered on the contract and their licence checked, I don't think their signature is usually required. But if it is required by the particular company or Irish law it can be done when she arrives, at the airport or city office, with her name already on the document.

cherryblossomzel

Thanks all. I'll call the company we decide to use and confirm, but it does help to know that I don't necessarily have to rush back to the airport.

eDicky

Ok, let us know how it goes. If they do require the second driver to be present at pickup to sign, please ask if that is a general industry policy or just the company or local policy (if they know). Thanks.

novelty-socks

I think you should be able to add a second driver without them being present, as long as you have their licence with you. I've done that in the UK before (although not in Ireland).

You can sometimes get deals where you'll get a second driver for free - and some of the car rental loyalty schemes (Avis Preferred, etc) will give you a free second driver once you achieve a certain level.

cherryblossomzel

Ok, just called a couple of places, and it seems that the additional driver does have to be present. However, you can add an additional driver at any point, so what we might do is do the initial booking in only his name, and then pop into any of their offices at some point to add me. A bit of a faff, as it would mean finding another office, which might not be that conveniently located, but at least we would then only pay the extra driver fee from that point onwards.