Montenegro is a small country with big driving days — winding mountain passes, coastal switchbacks, and the occasional long haul to Durmitor or the Bay of Kotor. If two of you are sharing the wheel, adding a second driver to your rental is one of the smartest, simplest things you can arrange before you arrive. Here is how it works, what each driver needs, and why it matters more than most people expect.
Why add a second driver
A trip through Montenegro rarely stays flat. You might leave Tivat in the morning, climb the Lovćen serpentines after lunch, and still have a coastal run to Budva before dinner. Long mountain drives are tiring, and fatigue on narrow, unfamiliar roads is exactly where mistakes happen.
Sharing the driving lets you swap when concentration dips, keeps everyone fresher, and means the person who loves the hairpins can take them while the other navigates. For couples and friends travelling together, it simply makes the holiday more relaxed.
Only listed drivers are insured
This is the part that catches people out, so we will be blunt about it: only drivers named on the rental agreement are covered. If someone who is not listed takes the wheel and there is an incident, you risk voiding the insurance entirely — meaning the costs could fall on you, not the policy.
It does not matter how confident or experienced the unlisted driver is. The rule is about the paperwork, not the person. Adding a second driver is quick; an uninsured claim is not. Always add anyone who might drive, even "just to the shop."
What documents both drivers need
Each driver — first and second alike — needs to present their own documents at pickup. The requirements are the same for everyone behind the wheel:
| Document | First driver | Second driver |
|---|---|---|
| Valid driving licence | Required | Required |
| Passport or national ID | Required | Required |
| Held licence for the minimum period | Required | Required |
| International Driving Permit (if applicable) | Recommended | Recommended |
If your licence is not in the Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended alongside it. For the full breakdown of what counts as a valid licence in Montenegro, see our guide to driving licence requirements in Montenegro.
How to add a driver — at booking or pickup
You have two easy moments to do this:
- At booking — tell us when you reserve so the second driver is on the agreement from the start. This is the smoothest option and lets us prepare the paperwork in advance.
- At pickup — when we meet you (free at Tivat or Podgorica airport, or wherever you've arranged delivery), the second driver just needs to be present with their documents so we can add them to the contract on the spot.
Either way, the second driver should be physically present at handover to sign and show ID. If your travel plans change and a new person joins partway through, contact us before they drive so we can update the agreement first.
Practical tips for sharing the wheel
A few things make the swap painless on Montenegro's roads:
- Plan your swap points. Fuel stops and town squares are easier than a blind mountain bend. Our fleet is full-to-full on fuel, so a fill-up is a natural moment to change driver.
- Mind the Bay of Kotor route. A note for 2026: the long-planned Vrmac tunnel is not yet open, so the bay drive still follows the scenic coastal road around the water — beautiful, but slower and more winding than a tunnel would be. Build in extra time and plan for traffic- and season-dependent delays, especially in summer.
- Both keep documents handy. Whoever is driving should have their licence on them, not buried in a suitcase in the boot.
A few more answers
Wondering about minimum age, additional-driver terms, or how delivery works? Those details sit with your specific car and dates, and our team is happy to confirm them for your booking. Our frequently asked questions cover the most common ones, and EN / RU / TR support means you can ask in your own language.
With free cancellation and pay-at-pickup, there's no pressure to lock everything in before you've decided who's driving — but flagging a second driver early always makes pickup faster.
Ready to plan the trip? Browse the Montrent fleet, pick the car that suits your route, and add your second driver when you book — so you can both enjoy the mountains and the coast.