Tips for renting a car in Florida and all over the USA

Hiring a car in Florida from the UK is a straightforward process, but there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind to ensure a smooth experience. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:

  1. Choose a Car Rental Company
    • Some well-known car hire companies in Florida include:
      • Alamo
      • Enterprise
      • Hertz
      • Avis
      • Budget
      • Dollar
      • Thrifty
  • You can easily book through our car hire partner Florida Car Hire For Less on their website FloridaCarHireForLess.co.uk, UK based car hire company with the customer service support
  1. Booking Your Rental Car
    • Book in Advance: It’s recommended to book your car hire in advance to secure better rates and availability, especially during peak travel seasons.
    • Book with Free Cancellations and check prices: Make sure you book with a company with free cancellations so if the price does drop you can rebook without a penalty.  With Florida Car Hire For Less they offer the price promise that they regularly check prices and if the price drops they will let you know and book you at the lower price and all bookings come with Free cancellations.
    • Pick-up Location: You can pick up your car at various locations throughout Florida, such as Orlando Airport, Miami Airport, or Tampa Airport. You can also pick up your car from locations in the city if you’re not flying into an airport such as Disney Car Care Centre, Rosen Centre and more…
    • Vehicle Type: Choose a car type that suits your needs, whether that’s an economy car, SUV, minivan, 7 Seater SUV’s, 12 Seater Vans and more. Consider how many people are in your group and how much luggage you’ll have.
  1. Requirements for Renting a Car in Florida
    • Age: Most rental companies in Florida require drivers to be at least 21 years old, though some companies may have a higher minimum age (usually 25) for renting certain vehicles. Drivers under 25 may also have to pay a young driver surcharge.
    • Driver’s License: You’ll need a valid UK driving license to rent a car in Florida. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally not required for UK drivers, but it’s a good idea to carry one, especially if you plan to drive in other states or if your UK license is in a non-Roman alphabet.
    • Credit Card: You’ll usually need a credit card in the driver’s name for the security hold. Debit cards are not always accepted, however a few such as Alamo do accept debit cards and other depending on the vehicle size.  To check about a rental using a debit card for the security hold contact [email protected] for more advice.
  1. Insurance
    • Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): This covers damage to the car in case of an accident.
    • Theft Protection: This protects you in the case of your rental car being stolen.
    • Liability Insurance: This covers damage or injury to others, but it might be minimal. Check with your car hire company to ensure you have adequate coverage.
    • Excess: Make sure you use a company with zero excess so your rental experience is worry free.
  1. Picking Up Your Car
    • Documentation: Make sure you bring all the necessary documents, including your passport, UK driving license, and credit card. If you’ve booked online, have a copy of your confirmation handy.
    • Upselling – Don’t be upsold at the counter, check what you are signing for to avid any unexpected charges.  Read more about this here https://floridacarhireforless.co.uk/general-info
    • Inspection: Always inspect the car before you drive off. Take photos or videos of any existing damage and make sure it’s noted by the rental company.
    • Fuel Policy: Rental companies typically offer either a full-to-full or full-to-empty fuel policy. With full-to-full, you pick up the car with a full tank and return it full. If it’s full-to-empty, you pay upfront for a full tank of fuel and return the car empty.
  1. Driving in Florida
    • Driving License: Your UK driving license is accepted in Florida without the need for an International Driving Permit (IDP).
    • Speed Limits: The speed limits vary across Florida, with most highways having a speed limit of 65-70 mph (about 105-113 km/h), and residential areas usually being 25-35 mph (about 40-55 km/h).
    • Traffic Laws: Be aware of local driving laws, including seat belt requirements, child safety seat laws, and the prohibition of mobile phone use while driving.
    • Tolls: Florida has a number of toll roads, especially in areas like Miami and Orlando. Most rental cars are equipped with their own toll by plate system to automatically pay tolls, but make sure you understand how the system works to avoid extra charges as some of them can be costly.  If you are collecting your rental from Orlando International Airport (MCO) we highly recommend the Visitor Toll Pass. With the Visitor Toll Pass you pay only for the tolls you use without a daily usage charge. Find out more on their website here: https://visitortollpass.com/ 
  1. Returning the Car
    • Check the Return Policy: Ensure you know the exact location and hours for returning the car, especially if you’re flying out. Some rental offices may have different opening hours than the airport.
    • Refuel: If you’ve rented with a full-to-full policy, make sure to refuel before returning the car to avoid refuelling charges. Take a photo of the fuel gauge and keep your last fuel receipt for in case this is need for any queries.
    • Inspect the Car Again: Take photos again at drop-off to document the condition of the vehicle.
  1. Rental Car Costs
    • Rental costs can vary greatly depending on the type of car, rental duration, and time of year.
    • Add-ons: Be aware of additional fees, such as GPS, child seats, or additional drivers.
  1. Other Tips for Car Hire in Florida:
    • Parking: Be prepared to pay for parking in popular areas like Miami Beach or Orlando, as well as theme parks like Walt Disney World or Universal Studios.
    • Road Trip: Florida is perfect for a road trip! From the beaches of Key West to the parks in Orlando and the cities of Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville, there’s so much to explore by car.

By planning ahead and understanding the ins and outs of Florida car hire, you can enjoy a hassle-free driving experience during your trip to the Sunshine State. Safe travels! 🌴🚗

Check out our car hire partner Florida Car Hire For Less for the best prices on Car Hire in Florida and all over the USA – FloridaCarHireForLess.co.uk

Thank you for reading our blog, if you like it feel free to share it.

Click here to return to the main Blog page or why not have a look over some of our previous posts below.

We also have a busy Facebook Group and Page here, why not join us to find out more holiday deals and money savings to be had when visiting Florida – Visit our Facebook Group