Table of contents
Quick answer
A second driver must be named on the rental contract and meet the same rules as the main renter: the minimum age, a valid licence held long enough and, for a visitor, an International Driving Permit (IDP) where one is needed. Many companies add one for a small one-off fee and some include one at no charge, so confirm yours. Never let an unnamed person drive: it usually voids the insurance.
Why does a second driver have to be named?
A second driver, also called an additional driver, is anyone other than the main renter who will drive the car: a partner, a friend or a colleague. They have to be named on the rental contract. Being in the car with you, or having your permission, is not the same thing.
The practical risk is the insurance. Driving a rental while not named on it usually voids the cover, so the protection you are relying on may not apply when you need it. The rule is a simple one: never let an unnamed person drive, not even for a short stretch. Our car rental insurance guide explains how rental cover works in more detail.
| Who is driving | Should they drive? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The main renter | Should they drive?Yes | WhyThey are named on the contract and meet the company's rules. |
| A second driver named on the contract | Should they drive?Yes | WhyThey meet the same rules as the main renter. |
| A friend or relative who is not named, even with your permission | Should they drive?No | WhyPermission does not name them, and driving unnamed usually voids the insurance. |
Rules and wording vary by company, so check your own contract.
If the main renter gets tired mid-trip and a friend offers to take over, the answer is yes only if that friend is already named on the contract. Sort it out before pickup, not at the roadside.
Who can be a second driver?
A second driver is held to the same rules as the main renter, not a lighter version of them. The exact limits vary by company, so check the terms in your contract, and see our guide to the documents you need to rent a car in Dubai. In general, they have to meet all of these:
- The company's minimum age for drivers.
- A valid driving licence.
- A licence that has been held for long enough. How long varies by company.
- For a visitor, an International Driving Permit (IDP) where one is needed.
If someone falls short on any of these, they cannot be your second driver, so they should not drive at all. Do not assume a friend qualifies just because you do.
How much does a second driver cost?
It varies. At the time of writing, many companies add a second driver for a small one-off fee, and some include one at no charge. Even a free second driver still has to be named on the contract. There is no single answer for Dubai, and what a company charges can change, so confirm the cost with the company you are renting from rather than relying on a figure you saw elsewhere.
For real per-company fee data, start with our fee transparency report, and use our fees tool to work out the true cost of a rental. Neither replaces your contract: the figure that counts is the one written in it. For the other extras that can change the price of a rental, see our guide to the hidden costs of car rental in Dubai.
Ask the company to show the second driver on your quote or contract, either as a charge or marked as included, so you can see exactly what was agreed.
How to add a second driver to your rental
The order matters: settle the details before you pay, and make sure the name is on the contract before anyone drives.
- 1Decide who the second driver will be before you book, and check they meet the same rules as you: minimum age, a valid licence held for long enough and, for a visitor, an IDP where needed.
- 2Tell the company you want a second driver and ask what it costs. Many charge a small one-off fee and some include one at no charge, so ask rather than assume.
- 3Get the answer in writing, in a quote, an email or a message you can show later, not just a verbal yes.
- 4At pickup, bring the second driver's own licence, and their passport and visa if they are a visitor, so they can be named on the contract.
- 5Before you sign, read the contract and check the second driver's name is on it, along with any fee you were quoted. If it is missing, do not let them drive until it is there.
- 6Keep a copy of the signed contract for the whole rental.
What to bring to pickup
Plan for the second driver to bring their own documents to pickup. Yours do not stand in for theirs, because they have to meet the same rules as you. If they will not be there, ask the company how it handles that before the day, and do not hand over the keys to anyone who is not named on the contract.
- The second driver's own driving licence.
- If they are a visitor, their passport and visa.
- If they are a visitor who needs one, an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- Your own documents as the main renter.
- Anything else the company asks for. Ask when you book, as requirements vary.
What if you are charged something you did not agree?
If a second-driver charge appears that is not in your contract, or a company will not honour what it quoted, start with the company. Raise it in writing, quote the line in your contract and their own terms, and keep every reply.
If the money was taken as a card charge and the company will not put it right, you can ask your bank about a chargeback. A company licensed in Dubai answers to Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET): you can file a Dubai Consumer complaint, or call 600 54 5555, and the UAE government's consumer-protection page explains the steps. No route can promise an outcome, so keep your contract, quote and messages together.
If your problem is about a deposit rather than a fee, our deposit-back tool has a letter generator and an escalation ladder.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to add a second driver to my Dubai car rental?
Only if someone other than the main renter will drive. Anyone who is going to drive must be named on the contract, so if you are the only driver there is nobody to add. If a second person might take the wheel, even now and then, name them from the start.
What happens if someone who is not named on the contract drives the rental car?
Driving a rental while not named on it usually voids the insurance, so the cover you are relying on may not apply. That is why the rule is never to let an unnamed person drive, even for a short distance. Your contract sets out its own terms, so read it before you sign.
How much does a second driver cost on a Dubai car rental?
It varies by company. Many add a second driver for a small one-off fee, and some include one at no charge, though even a free second driver still has to be named. Confirm the cost for your own rental and check that it appears in your contract. Our fee transparency report has real per-company fee data.
Who can be a second driver?
Anyone who meets the same rules as the main renter: the company's minimum age, a valid licence held for long enough and, for a visitor, an International Driving Permit (IDP) where one is needed. The exact limits vary by company, so check your contract. Someone who falls short cannot be named, so they should not drive.
What does a second driver need to bring at pickup?
Their own driving licence, plus their passport and visa if they are a visitor, and an IDP if they need one. Your documents do not stand in for theirs. Ask the company when you book whether it needs anything else, as requirements vary.
Can I add a second driver after I have picked up the car?
It varies by company, so ask before the person needs to drive rather than assuming it is possible. Whatever the answer, the rule stays the same: until they are named on the contract, they should not drive.
Where can I find real fee data for Dubai rental companies?
Our fee transparency report has real per-company fee data, and our fees tool helps you work out the true cost of a rental. Neither replaces your contract: the figure that counts is the one written in it, so confirm any second-driver charge with the company before you pay.
What can I do if I am charged for a second driver I did not agree to?
Start with the company: raise it in writing, quoting their own terms and your contract. If the money was taken as a card charge, you can ask your bank about a chargeback. A company licensed in Dubai answers to Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), where you can file a Dubai Consumer complaint or call 600 54 5555. No route can promise an outcome.
Written by the TripReview team from our own price benchmarks and the rules published by UAE authorities, and updated 21 October 2026. Figures are ranges, not quotes — check the latest rules with the official source before you travel. How we rate companies
