"Sixt has no spouse-specific waiver at any loyalty tier. The fee is waived only where state law mandates it — in 9 states — or if you hold SIXT ONE Gold status, which covers one additional driver of any relationship."
Picking up in California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, New York, Utah, or Wisconsin — where state law requires the fee to be waived for a spouse
Assuming the waiver applies because you've heard 'Sixt waives it in California' — that law is narrower since 2022, and it doesn't apply in the other 41 states
At most rental companies, a spouse drives free. At Sixt, they don't — unless you're picking up in one of 9 states where the law requires it, or you hold SIXT ONE Gold status. Outside those two exceptions, the fee applies. For a full comparison across every major supplier, the additional driver fee guide covers them all.
This article covers both exceptions in full: which states, what the law actually requires there, and what it takes to reach SIXT ONE Gold. If you're already booked and just need to know what to do, jump to the verdict.
What Sixt's policy actually says
Sixt's help center is direct on this: your spouse is not automatically an authorized driver. Their published US rental conditions state that an additional fee applies to every authorized driver other than the renter, "to the extent permitted by law." The exceptions — where law overrides that default — are covered below.
The $10–$15 per day figure is the range reported across US locations; the exact amount varies by state, pickup location, and season, and is shown at booking rather than disclosed at the counter. The Sixt review has the full fee breakdown including deposit hold amounts by vehicle class.
The states where the fee is waived by law
Sixt waives the fee for a spouse at pickup locations in 9 states: California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin.
California is the most widely cited example, but the law changed in 2022. It now waives the fee for a spouse, domestic partner, and close family — parents, children, siblings, grandparents — plus co-workers travelling for business. A friend or unrelated travel companion is still chargeable.
New York's law includes spouses but sets a minimum age of 18 for both the renter and their spouse at New York pickup locations — the only state in the 9 where an age floor applies to the spouse specifically. The other 7 states follow Sixt's standard minimum age requirements.
The SIXT ONE loyalty path
SIXT ONE Gold status includes one free additional driver per rental, any relationship — not spouse-specific. A spouse, a parent, a friend, or a colleague all qualify equally. The benefit starts at Gold, not Silver. Silver is where everyone starts on enrolment, and it includes no additional driver waiver.
Gold is reached at 2,000 status points, earned on qualifying rentals. For most occasional renters, it's not a realistic threshold without a status match.
The faster path to Gold is a status match. Sixt accepts matches from competing car rental programmes (Hertz, National, Enterprise, Avis), major hotel loyalty tiers (Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, World of Hyatt Globalist), and some airline elite tiers. It typically processes within two weeks. The loyalty programmes guide covers which tiers qualify and what to submit.
The verdict
If you haven't booked yet: Check your pickup state first. If it's California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, New York, Utah, or Wisconsin, the spouse driver fee is waived by law and you're done. If not, factor the additional driver cost into the total before comparing Sixt to suppliers that waive it automatically — it's a real difference at $70–$105 on a week-long rental. If Sixt is still the best-value option, check whether a SIXT ONE status match from an existing loyalty programme gets you to Gold before you book.
If you're already booked: Three things. First, confirm your pickup state is in the 9 where the fee is waived — check your booking confirmation for a $0 additional driver line if you're in one of those states. Second, your spouse must be present at the counter at pickup with a valid licence regardless of which waiver applies. Third, if neither exception applies and the fee matters, it's worth calling Sixt to confirm the exact daily amount for your location and rental — it varies, and confirming before arrival means no counter surprise.
If you've returned the car and there's a question about an additional driver charge: Check your signed rental agreement for what was listed at pickup. If a charge appeared after return that wasn't on the agreement, or if you're in one of the 9 waiver states and were charged anyway, contact Sixt in writing with your agreement and booking confirmation. If unresolved after one week, dispute with your credit card issuer and attach the signed agreement as documentation.
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- Sixt's spouse waiver is state law in California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin – check your pickup state before assuming it applies.
- In California, the 2022 law requires Sixt to waive the fee for spouses and close family (parents, children, siblings, grandparents, co-workers) – but not for unrelated friends.
- SIXT ONE Silver status does not waive any additional driver fee – the benefit starts at Gold.
- The additional driver must be present at the counter at pickup with a valid driver's licence regardless of which waiver applies.
- If you hold status with a competing car rental programme, airline, or hotel chain, a SIXT ONE status match may be available – apply before your rental.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sixt charge an additional driver fee for a spouse?
Yes, in most states. Sixt charges $10-$15 per day for additional drivers, including spouses, at most US locations. The fee is waived where state law requires it – in California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin – or if you hold SIXT ONE Gold status or above.
Which states require Sixt to waive the fee for a spouse?
Per Sixt's published US rental conditions, spouse is included as an Authorized Driver at no additional charge in California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, New York, Utah, and Wisconsin. In California, the law extends to close family members (parents, children, siblings, grandparents) and co-workers engaged in business activity with you.
Does SIXT ONE Silver status waive the additional driver fee for a spouse?
No. The additional driver benefit starts at Gold status. SIXT ONE Silver, which is immediate on enrolment, does not include the additional driver waiver. Gold is reached at 2,000 status points, which requires meaningful spend. If you hold status with another car rental, airline, or hotel programme, a status match to SIXT ONE Gold may be available.
I'm already booked with Sixt and want my spouse to drive – what should I do?
First, check your pickup state. If it's California, Illinois, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, New York, Utah, or Wisconsin, the fee is waived by law – your spouse can be added at no charge. If not, your options are: add your spouse and pay the daily fee, or check whether you can rebook with a supplier that waives it automatically (Enterprise, Alamo, National, Avis, Budget, or Fox). Your spouse must be present at the counter at pickup with a valid licence regardless.
Which rental companies waive the additional driver fee for a spouse automatically?
Enterprise, Alamo, National, Avis, Budget, and Fox all waive the additional driver fee for a spouse or domestic partner with no loyalty programme required. Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty waive it with a free loyalty programme. Sixt is the one major US supplier where no spouse-specific waiver exists at any level outside of state-law exceptions.
