Booking requirements
Additional driver rules for car hire in South Africa
By CarRentalZA editorial team · 5 min read · Updated 25 July 2026
- Must be
- Named on the agreement before driving
- Must present
- Their own valid licence at the counter
- Cost
- Often a daily fee, sometimes waived for a spouse
- Same rules
- Age and licence tenure apply to every driver
- Risk
- Unnamed driver at the wheel usually voids the waiver
Anyone who is going to drive your hire car has to be named on the rental agreement first, has to present their own valid licence at the counter, and has to meet the same age and licence tenure requirements as the main driver, because an unnamed driver normally voids the waiver.
That is the whole rule, and it is worth more than everything else on this page. The daily fee for a second driver is small. The cost of an unnamed one is the value of the car.
Add every possible driver at pickup, even the one who probably will not drive.
How to add a driver properly
- Add them at booking if you can, so the fee is quoted upfront.
- Bring them to the counter in person at collection.
- Present their original licence, plus ID or passport where required.
- Check their name appears on the signed agreement before you leave.
- Keep a copy of the agreement showing both names.
Adding a driver later is possible at most operators but usually means a branch visit with the person and their licence. It cannot be done by phone on the side of the road after the main driver has become too tired to continue, which is exactly when people wish it could.
What it costs
| Situation | Typical stance |
|---|---|
| Additional driver | A daily fee, often capped over longer rentals |
| Spouse or civil partner | Sometimes included free, sometimes not |
| Driver under the standard age | Young driver surcharge applies to them too |
| Corporate or long-term agreement | Often bundled differently |
Fees vary by operator and product and change, so ask for the amount quoted over your actual rental period rather than accepting a per-day figure without doing the arithmetic. On a month-long rental an uncapped daily fee adds up.
For long rentals, ask specifically whether additional drivers are included.
Every driver has to qualify
The additional driver is not a passenger with paperwork. They are being underwritten in exactly the same way as you:
- Minimum age for the vehicle class booked
- Minimum period holding a full licence
- Valid, unendorsed licence with photo and signature
- Where the licence is foreign and not in English, an IDP or official translation
If the second driver fails any of these, they cannot be added, and the answer is not to let them drive anyway.
What happens if an unnamed driver crashes
This is the expensive scenario, so be clear about it. Under most South African rental agreements, driving by a person not named on the agreement is a breach. The consequences typically include:
- The damage waiver falls away, so the excess ceiling no longer protects you.
- You become liable for the full repair or replacement cost of the vehicle.
- Third-party consequences may also land on you.
- The deposit is charged and the rest is billed.
Whether a particular operator enforces every one of these depends on the wording you signed, which is why the agreement is worth reading. But assume the worst, because the worst is what the standard wording allows.
The same principle applies to other breaches: driving under the influence, using the car for e-hailing, or taking it onto restricted gravel roads.
Long trips and shared driving
If you are driving Johannesburg to Cape Town, or doing the Garden Route over a week, add a second driver even if you intend to do all the driving yourself. Fatigue on long South African routes is a genuine risk, and the fee is small next to being stuck.
Practical tips:
- Add the driver at booking, not at the counter, so the quote is clean.
- Swap drivers at fuel stops rather than on the roadside.
- Keep both licences in the car.
- If you cross a provincial boundary at night, plan a stop rather than pushing through.
For a trip where nobody in the party wants to drive at all, a chauffeur-driven arrangement may suit better.
Frequently asked questions
Can my partner drive the hire car if they are not on the agreement?
No. Only drivers named on the agreement are authorised. If an unnamed driver is at the wheel when damage occurs, the waiver typically falls away and you become liable for the full value of the vehicle rather than the excess.
How much does an additional driver cost?
It varies by operator, and is usually a daily fee that may be capped over longer rentals. Some operators include a spouse at no charge and some do not. Ask for the total over your actual rental period.
Can I add a driver after I have collected the car?
Usually yes, but it normally requires a branch visit with the person and their original licence. It cannot be arranged by phone, so add anyone who might drive at collection instead.
Does the additional driver need to be at the counter?
Yes, in almost all cases. The operator has to see and record the original licence, so a photograph or a copy is not accepted.
Do age rules apply to the second driver?
Yes, in full. Minimum age, licence tenure and any young driver surcharge apply to each named driver individually, not just the person who signs the agreement.
Is a valet or a car guard covered to move the car?
No. Anyone not named on the agreement is unauthorised, including a valet parking attendant. If a venue insists on valet parking, ask the venue who carries liability and get it in writing before handing over the keys.
What if I let someone drive in an emergency?
The agreement generally makes no exception for emergencies. If it is genuinely unavoidable, notify the operator as soon as possible and record why. That is not a guarantee of cover, which is why naming an extra driver upfront is the better plan.
