What you need to rent a car in Florida
To rent a car in Florida, you must present a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance. Most rental companies require you to be at least 21 years old, though some charge an additional daily fee for drivers under 25. Your driver's license can be from any U.S. state or a valid international license if you're visiting from abroad.
The credit card serves two purposes: to hold a security deposit (typically $200 to $500, depending on the car class) and to process the rental charges. Debit cards are rarely accepted for the deposit hold, even if the final payment can go on one. Your proof of insurance can come from your personal auto policy, your credit card company (if it offers rental coverage), or the rental company itself.
If you're renting under a corporate account or have a membership with a rental loyalty program, bring that information too. It can lower your rate and speed up the checkout process.
Key Takeaways
- You must show a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance before any rental company will hand over keys.
- Drivers under 25 often pay a surcharge of $15 to $30 per day, and some Florida locations will not rent to drivers under 21 at all.
- The security deposit hold on your credit card is separate from the rental charge and can take several days to release after you return the car.
- Damage waivers and loss-of-use fees vary widely between companies and can add $15 to $40 per day to your total cost.
- Returning the car on time and with a full fuel tank avoids late fees and fuel surcharges that can exceed the daily rental rate.
Where to rent and how prices vary by location
Major rental chains operate at Florida airports, downtown locations, and neighborhood branches. Airport locations charge a facility fee (usually 10 to 15 percent of the rental cost) on top of the base rate, so an off-airport branch can be significantly cheaper even after accounting for a taxi or rideshare to get there. Downtown Miami, Orlando, and Tampa have multiple rental desks; smaller cities like Gainesville or Pensacola have fewer options and sometimes higher per-day rates.
Prices fluctuate based on season, day of the week, and how far in advance you book. Winter months (December through March) and spring break weeks see higher rates because demand is highest. Booking a week or more ahead usually locks in a lower rate than booking the day before pickup. Weekend rentals often cost more than weekday ones for the same car class.
Comparing rates across Hertz, Enterprise, Budget, Avis, and National takes minutes online, and each company's website shows the exact location, hours, and fees for the branch you're considering. Some locations offer free airport shuttle service; others do not.
Understanding damage waivers and insurance options
Rental companies offer a damage waiver (also called a collision damage waiver or CDW) that shifts responsibility for damage to the rental company if you pay the daily fee. Without it, you're liable for any dents, scratches, broken windows, or mechanical damage up to the full value of the car. The waiver typically costs $12 to $30 per day depending on the car class.
Before buying the waiver, check whether your personal auto insurance or credit card already covers rental cars. Many personal policies do; many credit cards do not. Call your insurance company or credit card issuer before you rent to confirm what's covered and what's not. If your coverage has a deductible, factor that into whether the rental company's waiver is worth the cost.
Some rental companies also offer loss-of-use fees if the car is damaged and must be repaired. This fee compensates the company for revenue lost while the car is in the shop and can run $30 to $50 per day. It applies whether you bought the damage waiver or not, so read the fine print on your contract.
Fuel, mileage, and return policies
Most Florida rentals come with unlimited mileage, but confirm this when you book because some economy or long-term rentals cap mileage at 100 or 150 miles per day. Exceeding the limit costs 25 to 50 cents per mile.
Fuel is almost always your responsibility. You can prepay for a full tank at a discounted rate when you rent (usually $6 to $8 per gallon), or you can return the car with a full tank yourself and pay nothing extra. If you return it partially empty, the rental company will refuel it and charge you $8 to $12 per gallon—significantly more than gas station prices. Returning it empty costs the most.
Late returns incur hourly fees (typically $15 to $30 for the first hour, then daily rates after that) and can trigger an extra day's charge if you're more than a few hours late. Some companies are stricter than others, so ask about their grace period when you pick up the car. If you know you'll be late, call ahead; some locations will waive or reduce the fee if you notify them in advance.
Toll roads and additional fees in Florida
Florida has extensive toll roads, including the Florida Turnpike, I-95 express lanes in Miami, and toll bridges in Tampa and Jacksonville. Rental companies handle tolls in different ways: some add a transponder to the car and bill you for tolls after you return it (plus a processing fee of $3 to $5 per toll), while others require you to pay tolls yourself as you drive.
Ask your rental company which system they use and whether you can opt out of their toll service. If you choose to pay tolls yourself, get a SunPass or E-Pass transponder from a gas station or convenience store before you drive, or pay cash at toll booths (though some express lanes no longer accept cash).
Other fees to watch for include parking violations (the rental company will bill you), traffic citations (you'll receive a notice by mail), and administrative fees the company charges for processing these violations. These can add $50 to $150 to your final bill weeks after you return the car.
Booking online versus at the counter
Booking online almost always shows a lower rate than walking up to the counter. Online rates are often locked in and non-refundable, so if your plans change, you may lose the deposit. Counter rates are higher but sometimes more flexible, though flexibility varies by company and location.
When you book online, the rental company sends you a confirmation with a reservation number. Bring this confirmation to the counter; it speeds up check-in. If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak or Autoslash, print or screenshot the confirmation and bring it with you, because the rental company's system may not pull it up automatically.
Read the cancellation policy before you book. Most online reservations are non-refundable, but you can usually modify the dates or car class without penalty if you do it before the pickup date. After pickup, changes are subject to availability and may incur fees.
What to inspect before you drive away
Before leaving the lot, walk around the car with the rental agent and photograph or video-record any existing damage—dents, scratches, stains, broken lights, or worn tires. Point out each issue and ask the agent to note it on your contract. This protects you from being charged for damage you didn't cause.
Test the air conditioning, wipers, lights, and locks. Check that the spare tire and jack are in the trunk. Verify the fuel gauge reads full (or whatever level was promised). If anything is broken or missing, tell the agent when ready and ask for a different car or a written note on your contract.
Keep your rental agreement and photos throughout the rental period. If you get into an accident or notice new damage, report it to the rental company right away with photos and a police report if applicable. Waiting until you return the car makes it harder to prove you weren't responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an international driver's license if I'm visiting Florida from another country?
No, but your license must be valid in your home country and written in English or accompanied by an official English translation. Most rental companies accept licenses from any country. If your license is in another language, bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country's automobile association as backup, though it's rarely required.
Can I rent a car if I don't have a credit card?
Most major rental companies require a credit card for the security deposit hold. Some smaller or local companies may accept a debit card with a larger deposit, but this is uncommon in Florida. Call ahead to ask; don't assume a location will accept debit.
What happens if I get a speeding ticket or parking ticket while renting?
You'll receive a notice by mail at the address on your rental agreement. The rental company may charge you an administrative fee ($15 to $50) for processing it, on top of the fine itself. Pay the ticket promptly to avoid late fees and additional charges from the rental company.
Is it cheaper to rent for a week or a month in Florida?
Weekly rates are usually lower per day than daily rates, and monthly rates are lower still. If you need a car for 10 or more days, ask about weekly and monthly pricing; the difference can be substantial. Long-term rentals sometimes have mileage caps, so confirm unlimited mileage is included.
Can I rent a car if I'm under 21?
Most major rental companies require drivers to be at least 21. Some locations may rent to drivers as young as 18 or 19, but this is rare and comes with a daily surcharge of $25 to $50. Call the specific location you're interested in to ask about their age policy.