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A new law already in effect could result in substantial fees for residents trying to rent cars in California. According to SFGATE, the new law allows rental car companies to add a fee if an unauthorized driver is caught behind the wheel of the vehicle. This means someone who was not previously authorized in the rental agreement.
The new fees come after the industry successfully lobbied the California Legislature to adjust the law and slip in the subtle provision. SFGATE reports that there are exceptions to the penalty. If the unauthorized driver is the renter's spouse, child, legal guardian, sibling, parent, grandparent, employer, or co-worker, then they won't be fined.
However, letting a friend drive your rental car is now a liability and can result in fees that range between $13 and $15 per day for each additional driver, depending on the company. Luckily, there is a cap and a rental company can only charge up to twice the amount of the authorized driver fee.
The adjustment to the law was included in a bill that aims to modernize the state's rental car industry. The bill was approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September 2021 and went into effect on January 1, 2022.