View Full Version : Car Hire Worry
I hope someone can help me, we have booked our Car Hire through ***/Thrifty and the booking is in my name with my hubby as an extra driver, my worry is my passport is in my old married name (haven't changed it as a) its got 7 years left on it to run and its soooo expensive to change it over so may as well wait till it expires and b) had to get a visa and that took forever so probably wouldn't had got it all sorted out before we depart) but my driving licence is in my new married name. I asked *** but they just said take my marriage certificate, has anyone ever had to do this? If so was it straightforward? From the beginning of planning this holiday we have had problems as I had to get a visa and now this worry. Please can someone put my mind at rest only I don't want to get to collect our car only to find they are going to refuse me as my DL is in a different name to my passport and credit card. Also, as we have booked directly with *** not Thrifty after reading someone elses post its got me thinking if we have a problem with our booking who do we contact? As we have no documentation to take?? Who said holidays were easy!
From a car hire point of view I would think you will be fine. You do not need to show your passport, just your driving license. If you are the lead driver then you will most likely have to give your credit card for deposit and any local charges, so if this is in a different name then you can just show your marriage certificate to explain it.
steph_goodrum
07-02-2010, 02:44
The passport shouldnt be an issue as your driving license is in your new name and they dont check your passport at the car hire desk. The credit card could be as they will want to ensure that if there is any need they can get your money. If you take your marriage certificate to prove you are married then Ii wouldnt think there would be any problem. Normally the lead driver and credit card holder must be the same person (which I know you are but if the paperwork doesnt tie up not sure how it works).
Thanks, the only thing is the booking is in my old married name (same as my name on the passport) its the booking and driving licence that are different! I have emailed Thrifty directly but have never received a response they are probably still reading it trying to work out what the hell I mean lol [stupid1] I am taking my marriage certificate with me, I have to say I am glad that we are going to the USA rather than Spain or somewhere where they don't speak much English! that would have been interesting!
The car hire booking will definately have to be in the name on your license, so the best thing is to contact the agent you booked through and have them change it. As you booked through an agent, Thrifty (if they do reply to you at all) will just tell you to ask the agent to amend it.
lafifille
07-02-2010, 10:26
Not sure it means anything in your case, but I've rented cars with my married name, with a credit card on my married name, and presented my driving licence with my maiden name and never had any problem. It actually never occurred to me it could be a problem, and obviously it wasn't for the rental company. Last time was 3 years ago in Las Vegas, with National I think.
In France you don't have to change your driver licence (no need to renew it unless you lose it) when you get married, as your maiden name is actually your only "true" name, and all administrations will keep it for first use. All renewed IDs bear both names, with the maiden name first.
Well I spoke to the company who we booked the car through, and they told me I have got to change the booking name, so have done that! Lesson learned!