Can I book a car for someone else?
Booking a car for a friend, family member, or colleague? That’s very thoughtful!
You can absolutely make a reservation for someone else, but a few important rules help ensure they can pick up the car without any issues.
Step-by-Step Guide:
When making the reservation, enter the actual driver’s full name, email, and phone number in the “Main Driver” section. This person will sign the rental agreement at the desk.
You can usually use your own credit or debit card to pay for the online prepayment part of the booking. However, the person picking up the car (the Main Driver) must present a physical credit card in their own name at the rental desk to leave the security deposit. You cannot lend them your card for the deposit if you are not physically present!
If you booked the car under your name but won’t be travelling, simply adding your friend as an Additional Driver will not work. The Main Driver must be present to sign the contract, so an additional driver cannot collect the car alone. In this case, the correct solution is to change the Main Driver’s name on the booking.
If the booking was made accidentally under your own name, update the Main Driver's details as soon as possible. Some suppliers allow simple name changes, while others may require cancelling and rebooking, which could affect the rental price.
💡Did you know?
Even if you pay for the rental online, the contract is legally between the driver and the rental company. That’s why the driver must present their ID, driver’s license, and required payment card in person when picking up the car.
Was this helpful?
