FAQ and Help - Car Hire
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Car Hire
What documents or cards must I carry?
Any UK citizen driving in the United States is required to have a valid British driving license (valid for at least one year prior to hire). You will need to provide your car hire provided with your original driving license. If you have a photo card license you will need to provide this as well as the original driving license.
The lead driver must also have a valid credit card, as an imprint of the card will need to be provided as security pre-authorisation for incidentals and damages. Note that cash security deposits are not accepted. Debit cards may be accepted in some cases, but most car rental companies don’t accept debit cards - therefore we always recommend carrying a credit card.
Can I register my car hire online?
Skip the Counter is now available for Alamo, Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar customers at select locations. This service allows you to register online before your trip and go straight to your rental car upon arrival, bypassing the counter entirely. Please be aware that at certain locations, you may need to present your Skip the Counter ticket, driver’s license, credit card, and/or proof of identity upon arrival or to a gate agent.Furthermore, Avis, Budget, and Sixt offer early registration, streamlining the vehicle collection process and saving you time at the counter. Please note that you will still need to go the counter, but the procedure will be smoother, simpler, and faster.
Where do I collect my car from?
The exact pick up and drop off points will be detailed to you on your Car Hire Voucher sent together with your Travel Documents no later than 2 weeks prior to your departure date.We always advise to take advantage of your car hire company’s online check in service where available, details of which will be on your car hire documentation.
Can I choose the make/model of car?
Car rental companies don’t allow you to choose a specific make/model. You book a category and are given a car from within that category pool.
It works this way because the car hire companies change stock regularly, and makes/models vary by country too.
Will my car have sat nav?
At the time of booking, you can add a sat nav to your car hire. Alternatively, you can buy sat nav locally in the US. If you have a UK sat nav, they can be updated with US maps before you travel.To facilitate navigation, all Ocean Florida customers receive a discounted eSIM for use in the USA, priced at half the cost of most UK providers. For $3.60 per day, you get unlimited data, enabling you to connect to navigation apps like Google Maps or Apple Maps on your phone while in Florida. If you plan on using your UK SIM card in the USA, please ensure that you have checked the data costs with your cellular network provider before departing from the UK. Many providers offer data bundles to reduce the cost.
What is included in my car hire package?
We recommend pre-booking all your car hire requirements direct with us. You may be able to upgrade your car at the hire desk in the United States, but this will usually come at a significantly higher price.
We offer a wide range of car hire package options. Just let us know what you need and we’ll do the hard work to find you the best deal possible.
The specifics of your car hire package will be detailed on your quote.
Am I fully insured to drive?
All our car hire packages come with Fully Comprehensive Insurance, which means you do not need to purchase any further insurance.You may be offered additional items when you pick up your car, but these are optional. They may include: Personal Accident Insurance, Personal Effects Coverage - this cover is normally offered together and is in most cases included in your travel insurance (please check your policy).
Do I need a child seat?
All children under the age of four must be secured in a federally approved child restraint seat (car seat). Children over four can wear seatbelts. Just like in the UK, it is a legal requirement for adults to wear a seatbelt in Florida.Car seats can be reserved at the point of booking, prior to departure and in resort. Alternatively car seats can be purchased at a relatively low price once you are in Florida in outlets such as Target and Walmart.
Are there tolls in the USA?
There are various toll roads in Orlando/Florida with different charges depending upon the route you take. If you expect to do a lot of driving in Florida it might be worth purchasing Pass 24 to save money and to enable you to make use of express lanes. Pass 24 can only be purchased locally via your car hire provider. However, select car hire companies already include toll passes in their packages, so please check your documentation.For customers travelling via Orlando International Airport (MCO) doing minimal driving aside from trips to the parks we recommend the Visitors Toll Pass.
Visitor Toll Pass is a temporary toll hang tag that is placed on a rental vehicle's rear view mirror and is used to pay tolls electronically while traveling on any toll road throughout Florida.
To avoid Florida tolls - your Sat Nav, Apple Maps and Google Maps can steer you away from toll roads with the correct settings.
How much do I have to pay for parking?
It is most likely you will have to pay for parking at your accommodation, any chosen activities or other in resort options. Please note it is your responsibility to check any possible parking charges. We strongly recommend checking the partner website shortly before your holiday as parking charges can change frequently. Please note unpaid parking charges are subject to fines. We are unable to accept responsibility for any parking charges and any applicable fines.What happens if I have a car accident?
If you cause an accident while driving your rental car, you are legally liable. If you have insurance, your insurer will cover the damages. Its important to be aware of the insurance option for your rental car. All our cars come with:
Standard inclusions with all suppliers:
- Unlimited Mileage Collision Damage Waiver
- 1 Million USD Liability Cover
- Local Sales & State Taxes
- Airport Surcharges/Fees
- Mechanical Assistance
- On airport collection in Orlando
You have the option to upgrade to options that include higher coverage. Unless you have breached your rental contract, rental insurance should cover any accident damages incurred.