Car Rental in Florida: Age, Credit Card, SunPass and What to Know
Renting a car in Florida? Minimum age 21, credit card mandatory, airport concession fees add 10-15% at MIA/MCO/FLL, SunPass for toll roads, and EU licences are valid without IDP. Here's everything.
Florida is one of the most car-dependent states in the US. Outside Miami Beach and a few blocks of downtown Orlando, public transport is minimal and driving is the only practical way to get around. Whether you’re doing the Miami-to-Keys route, theme parks in Orlando, or beach towns on the Gulf Coast, you need a car. Here’s what to know before you pick up.
Minimum age to rent a car in Florida
The standard minimum age to rent in Florida (and across the US) is 21 at all major companies. Drivers aged 18–20 face significant restrictions.
| Age | Situation |
|---|---|
| 18–20 | Accepted at Enterprise, National, and Alamo with a significant young driver surcharge ($25–35/day). Most other companies refuse under-21. |
| 21–24 | Young driver surcharge at most companies ($10–25/day) |
| 25+ | Standard rate, no surcharge |
Credit card: mandatory
A credit card is required at all major rental companies in the US for the security deposit (pre-authorisation). This is non-negotiable at brands like Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Sixt.
Debit cards are accepted at some Enterprise and National locations for the actual payment, but credit card is still required for the deposit hold. Confirm at booking.
Revolut, Wise and similar prepaid cards are treated as debit and refused for deposits by most Florida rental counters.
IDP: not required for EU drivers
EU licence holders do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Florida. The US recognises EU licences directly.
Similarly, UK, Australian, Canadian, and most other major-country licence holders do not need an IDP. The US does not require IDPs for foreign nationals — your national licence is sufficient.
If you hold a licence written in a non-Latin alphabet (Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean), carry an IDP for clarity at the counter and in case of police stops.
Airport concession fees: the hidden cost
Picking up at an airport in Florida adds a concession recovery fee — typically 10–15% of the rental total. This fee is charged by the airport authority and passed on to the renter. It applies at:
- Miami International (MIA) — often the highest fees in Florida
- Orlando International (MCO) — high volume, high fees
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) — competitive market but fees still apply
- Tampa (TPA), Fort Myers (RSW), Palm Beach (PBI) — similar structure
How to avoid it: pick up from an off-airport location (usually 5–10 minutes by taxi or shuttle from the terminal). Many companies have nearby offices that are not subject to airport concession fees. Savings range from $30–80 on a week-long rental.
This is one of the best ways to reduce Florida rental costs — especially for longer rentals.
SunPass: Florida’s toll roads
Florida has an extensive network of toll roads, particularly around Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. The primary electronic toll system is SunPass.
When you rent a car in Florida, you’ll be offered a SunPass transponder (or similar — PlatePass, Tolls By Plate) at the counter. Options:
- Accept the rental company’s transponder: convenient, but daily fees ($3–5/day active) and toll charges apply
- Decline: you can still drive toll roads — your plate is photographed and the rental company is billed, which they then pass on to you as “Tolls By Plate” plus a processing fee (often $15–25 per toll transaction, not per trip)
- Buy your own SunPass: if you’re staying in Florida for 2+ weeks, buying a prepaid SunPass at a gas station (~$15 tag, load with credit) can save significant money
Common toll roads:
- I-95 Express Lanes (Miami to Broward)
- Florida Turnpike (Miami to Orlando)
- SR-528 (Beachline Expressway, Orlando to Kennedy Space Center)
- I-4 Express (Orlando)
Budget extra for tolls — Miami to Orlando via the Florida Turnpike costs approximately $20–25 in tolls.
The Miami–Orlando one-way
Miami to Orlando is one of the most common Florida one-way rentals. Distance: approximately 380 km, 3.5–4 hours via Florida Turnpike.
One-way fees between Miami and Orlando are generally low or zero — it’s such a high-volume route that companies actively balance their fleets between these markets. Confirm at booking.
Unlimited mileage
Almost all Florida rental contracts include unlimited mileage for in-state travel. This is standard across the US market. Florida is large — Key West to Pensacola is over 900 km — so unlimited mileage matters.
Check the contract carefully if you plan to cross state lines to Georgia, Alabama, or the Carolinas. Most contracts allow it but confirm there’s no mileage cap for out-of-state travel.
Average car rental prices in Florida (2026)
Florida is a high-volume, competitive market. Prices spike around major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Year, Spring Break in March) and theme park events.
| Category | Low season | High season |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $28–42/day | $55–85/day |
| Compact | $35–52/day | $65–100/day |
| Midsize SUV | $58–80/day | $90–140/day |
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Insurance in Florida
Standard options:
- CDW (Collision Damage Waiver): covers the car, typically $15–30/day at the counter
- Liability (SLI): supplemental liability insurance, important in the US — Florida has low minimum liability requirements that don’t protect you adequately in a serious accident
- Credit card cover: most Visa Infinite, Mastercard World Elite, and Amex premium cards cover CDW for US rentals. Read your card’s terms — many have restrictions on vehicle type (SUV over certain value, trucks, etc.)
- Travel insurance: some comprehensive travel policies include rental car cover
The US rental market is more litigious than Europe — SLI or equivalent liability cover is worth having.
Practical tips
Gas station etiquette. US petrol stations are all self-service. Card payment at the pump is standard. Some pumps ask for a ZIP code when using a foreign card — enter 00000 or go inside to pay.
Left turns. Florida intersections often use protected left-turn phases at traffic lights. Wait for the green arrow — don’t turn on the standard green unless marked.
Speed limits. Urban: 35–45 mph. Highways: 65–70 mph. Interstates: 70 mph. Florida Highway Patrol enforces speed limits — don’t assume the 10-over rule applies.
Parking. Downtown Miami and South Beach have paid parking lots. Orlando outside theme park areas has easy free parking. Keys destinations (Key West) have limited and expensive parking in season.
Florida is one of the world’s great road trip destinations. Know the airport fee trap, sort the SunPass question at pickup, and the roads are straightforward.
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