Originally Posted by
dcchi
Because this has always been ambiguous to me, this morning (in advance of a 2-week rental where we will be driving a lot), my wife accompanied me to ORD National so that she could present her license to the National counter in case that was needed to allow her to drive in case that was needed. The agent there said that was unnecessary and that she was automatically included (i.e., no need to input any driver's license info). As a double check, when I mentioned the same at the gate agent (when leaving the facility), I was given the same answer. Not sure that is legally binding, but that is the answer I was given this morning by two National employees!
It's in National's
terms and conditions so it is legally binding:
Any additional driver (excluding a spouse or domestic partner) will pay a daily fee. Renter’s spouse or domestic partner who meet the same age and driver’s license requirements of the renter are authorized drivers at no additional charge.
It's also in the
Illinois state statutes that spouses are automatically included as additional drivers (with all rental companies) therefore they do not need to be added to the rental contract:
"Authorized Driver" means: the renter; the renter's
spouse if the spouse is a licensed driver and satisfies the
rental company's minimum age requirement; the renter's
employer, employee, or co-worker if that person is a licensed
driver, satisfies the rental company's minimum age
requirement, and at the time of the rental is engaged in a
business activity with the renter; any person who is
expressly listed by the rental company on the rental
agreement as an authorized driver; and any person driving
directly to a medical or police facility under circumstances
reasonably believed to constitute an emergency and who is a
licensed driver.