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CAR HIRE

To maximize the enjoyment of your holiday in Florida, a car is essential. If you want the freedom to explore everything that Florida has to offer from the various theme parks of Orlando to the beaches on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
Driving is probably the best way to travel in and around Florida it can also be a real pleasure, the roads are wide, well made and have well signposted routes, cheap petrol and expansive highways.

Below is a typical example of vehicles that many hire company's offer.

Rental Insurance Terminology Explained

• LDW Loss Damage Waiver protects you for any damage to the rental vehicle as a result of a collision.
• CDW Collision Damage Waiver protects you against damage to the rental car (including theft and vandalism) regardless of who is at fault.
• EP Extended Protection, provides you with Third Party Liability coverage usually for amounts up to $1 million (check amount of cover with hire Co) for accidental death or injury to you and your passengers should you be hit by a negligent, uninsured, under insured or hit and run motorist.
• SLI Supplementary Liability Insurance increases your basic Third Party Liability cover provided with a rental, up to a general maximum limit of $1 million (check amount of cover with hire Co), which covers litigation that is common in the US.

If this is your first visit to Florida, or never driven here before, you may find the following information useful.

Hire Information

• In order to satisfy most rental requirements, drivers must be in possession of a valid UK or EC drivers licence (a photocopy is not acceptable), together with a return air ticket to Europe and a major credit card in their name. An International Driving Permit is not acceptable.
• Be aware of cancellation charges in the rental terms & conditions details. If your journey is delayed for whatever reason, beyond the start date of hire, you may lose your rental of the vehicle with no recourse to a refund. Consequently if you are delayed, notify the rental company for an amendment of your pick up date, they normally charge a small fee for this arrangement (£15 approx).
• Drivers of rental vehicles must be at least 21 years old. There is normally an extra charge made for drivers under 25.
• You will be asked to present your driving licence and a major credit card for inspection when you pick up the rental vehicle on your arrival.
• It is important not to drive without adequate car insurance in the US.
• If you purchase insurance or extras (e.g. car child seats) locally, you may be subjected to certain charges and taxes.
• For your own peace of mind we suggest you pre-book before travelling which should include your taxes, then relax knowing you have paid these costs in advance.
• Unless you need to upgrade your vehicle on arrival at the pickup point, it may be wise to politely refuse the offer of an upgrade the salesperson will try to get you to take. Remember the sales people work on commission, upgrades or alterations to your original contract can be expensive when carried out locally.
• Make yourself familiar with the car before you leave the car hire pick up point, check with the staff if you do not understand the controls or operation of the vehicle. Inspect the car for any noticeable damage and report it prior to leaving.
• All hire cars tend to be automatic, for those not used to automatic transmission, you will not be able to take the keys out of the ignition unless the gear selector is in the 'park' position. Likewise the gear selector needs to be in the 'park' position before you can start the car.
• Always carry your driver's licence, proof of insurance and hire details when using the rental vehicle, (you may be stopped by a Patrol Officer and asked to produce them).
• You will only be provided with one set of car keys by the hire company, if you find this worrying, you can get spare keys cut at DIY stores (Home Depot) or many of the supermarkets (Wall-Mart) for a few $'s.
• All hire cars will have air-conditioning as standard, when in use it is essential to have all windows closed for efficient operation.

Florida State Driving Laws (guidance notes only)

• Consuming alcoholic beverages while driving is prohibited. Driving while intoxicated is a serious offense and you may be jailed if caught.
• You are not allowed to carry alcohol inside the car it must be placed in the boot/trunk when transporting.
• Keep to the speed limits; fines are very expensive and doubled in construction zones. Speed limits are generally lower than in Europe and are strictly monitored by the local police, the limit is generally between 55 - 70 mph on rural highways.
• If you are involved in an accident you must immediately telephone the police and obtain a police report.
• All persons in the front seats must utilize the safety belt restraints, all children under 16 must use seat restraints, and all children under 5 must be in an approved child restraint seat and be securely fastened.
• Headlights (dipped) must be turned on when your windshield wipers are on during rain. Headlights are also required in fog, darkness and poor visibility.
• Whenever a school bus (painted yellow) carrying children stops in front of your vehicle you are required to stop, it will generally have red flashing lights and display a stop sign at the rear left hand side of the bus. You must stop whichever direction you are travelling in unless the bus is facing the opposite direction and there is a minimum of a 2 metre medium or wall separating the lanes of transport as in some dual carriageways.
• Unless otherwise sign posted you can turn right on a red light at a junction after coming to a full stop, yielding to pedestrians and no traffic is coming from your left.
• When approaching a junction with a red flashing traffic signal, come to a full stop, you may then proceed with caution if the way is clear to do so. If instead a yellow flashing traffic signal is observed, slow down, you may then proceed with caution again if the way is clear to do so.
• All drivers are required to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic at intersections.
• Traffic in the US always travels on the right hand lanes. The law does not permit vehicles to travel off the paved portion of the roadway for any reason.
• You can overtake, or be overtaken on the inside or outside lanes.

Traffic Tips

• Inter state Highways have red, white and blue signs. The Principal routes have 1 - or 2 - digit numbers. Even numbered routes run east - west, odd numbers run north - south.
  Ring roads - called loop or beltways - have 3-digit numbers, the first digit being an even number. They circle or bypass cities.
• If you take toll roads, you will need some change to pay the tolls, as some of them are unmanned.
• Do not reverse into a parking space, as the registration plate is only on the back of the car.
• Plan where you are going, keep a map in the car. Write down the route before you depart. Do not stop at night in a dark and unfamiliar place to ask for directions. Drive round until you find the main highway.
• Do not leave money or any other valuables on show in the car.
• If your car is struck from behind, proceed to a well lit area prior to getting out of your vehicle to inspect the damage, and then only when you are comfortable that it is safe to do so.
• There are no service stations on the Freeways but there's usually one near the exit. Some exits on the Freeways are on the left.
• When approaching or cross over a junction, you may notice a suspended road name sign; this is the name of the road you are crossing, not the road you are on.
• There are no traffic roundabouts in the US.
• Some of the Major Attractions have very large car parks, remember to write down the exact location, most rental cars look alike after a long day sightseeing.