Car Rental in the US

My BF is coming for a visit here in January (yay!) and my cousin is getting married in Florida while he's here. Instead of flying, I'm looking into road tripping. BF does not currently have a driver's license, although he has a provisional license. I doubt he would be able to finish the process of getting a license in a little over a month but he said he'll try if he'd be able to drive here. We'd be renting a car, since mine is old and not that reliable. Is there any reason that someone with a freshly minted UK driver's license would not be allowed to drive a rental car? Obviously, I would be renting the car in my name (with 10 years of US driving experience) but does anyone know if we'd be able to add him as a second driver? It would be nice to not have to drive the entire way myself...

Part depends on his age; if he is <25, there will be a surcharge no matter where the license is issued. How long he has had a license should not be an issue, particularly with the big guys like Avis, Hertz, etc.

In the 'olden days' you could also get an 'international license' thingy from the AA here - maybe you still can. I would call a couple of rental agencies and just ask. Get an estimate before you head out to get a car.

I held a US license for 48 years, but mistakenly cancelled it when I returned to the UK in July (did a change of address per Virginia law, without realizing that a 'foreign address' voided the license). Now I only have the UK license, but will be driving when I go over in January to visit family. In my case I will likely rent the car from this end - far simpler despite my various discounts with car companies in the US.

He can rent a car as the second person. My husband is the second driver whenever we rent a car here. Make sure he brings the paper part of his license in addition to the card as they stress that it needs to accompany them when doing a rental.

He can rent a car as the second person. My husband is the second driver whenever we rent a car here. Make sure he brings the paper part of his license in addition to the card as they stress that it needs to accompany them when doing a rental.

This and do be aware that there will be a fee for adding anyone as a second driver, sometimes as much as $15/day. 

We're both over 25 so that's not an issue. And I know there might be a surcharge but it's worth it. Thanks everyone for your help, I didn't think there'd be an issue but you never know.

Off topic kinda.... I miss road trips. The hubby thinks anything more than two hours away in the car is a waste of time.  Lol.

Hi,

aimless traveller - I'd strongly recommend that you have your better half ONLY drive on the open highways and NOT around NYC or any city/built up areas. His experience of driving is extremely limited on a provisional to say the least, and that's here in the UK. Throw in left hand drive and driving on opposite sides of the roads and opposite ways of turning at junctions, you are only likely to increase substantially the chances of an accident in the USA.

I've often driving around the NYC area, out in Long Island kinda way, it's quite smooth and relatively easy going, but get in towards some of the freeway junctions and turns and exits it can and often does get quite stressful!

Soon as you're on a relatively light traffic, straight'ish highway swap then   - just remember to have him keep to the speed limits - I've had some great 'fun' talking to highway patrol officers plenty of times !!

Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

Don't think there's much danger of him driving in NYC. The first time he was here, he said that he was glad he couldn't drive here, since everyone drives so crazy in the city. I quite like it, personally, it's a bit of a sport. But yea, the intention is open highway driving only, so I'm not looking at 10+ hour days behind the wheel...