Renting a car in Orlando is part of planning any trip to Disney. With it, you will have much more freedom to move between parks, attractions and outlets and will overcome the problem of lack of public transport in American cities. However, the possibility of renting a car in another country also comes with doubts: are the traffic laws the same as ours? Which insurance to take out? What documents will I need? Where to find a cheaper car? That’s why we created this guide with all the answers so you can rent a car in Orlando with peace of mind and savings.
Also read our guide on traffic laws and driving in the United States.
Is it worth renting a car in Orlando?
There is no middle ground here: I have never been to a destination where renting a car was as necessary as Orlando. The public transport system there is precarious and most of the hotels, parks and outlets are on the highways, outside the center of Orlando. There are even bus lines that reach these places, but they make huge loops and turn short journeys into one-hour trips. If you really can’t drive, there is a way to get around this problem by using hotel shuttles, taxis and Uber, but using these services ends up being more expensive than renting a car, and you will also be held hostage by the schedules and availability of the vans. and fare prices (many taxi drivers like to negotiate prices outside the meter, taking advantage of the law of demand and supply), which will make your trip quite difficult.
Driving in the United States is much easier than driving in Brazil. The cars are automatic, the roads are always wide, one-way, with clinking asphalt and very well signposted. So you don’t need to be afraid to drive there. When I went, I had just gotten my license and I managed very well, without any problems or incidents.
Documents needed to rent a car in Orlando
You can rent a car in Orlando with just your Brazilian driver’s license. You don’t need to get your PID, your International Driving Permit, although some people like to have it just in case, because that way you have a document in English to show in case a police officer claims they don’t understand your license. Having said that, it must also be said that, with the number of Brazilians driving in Florida, they are already more than accustomed to our driver’s license and you shouldn’t have any problems. See here how to obtain an International Driving Permit.
In addition to a valid driver’s license, you will also need your passport and a credit card. Most rental companies do not accept drivers under 21 and charge an extra fee if they are under 25. At the time of rental, the company will charge a deposit amount to your credit card that will be refunded if nothing happens.
Renting a car online and finding the best price
At Orlando airport there are dozens of car rental companies waiting for you. Just get off the plane, go to one of them and ask for a vehicle. If you want to save, however, it pays to book your car before traveling. This is because, using a search engine, you can compare the prices of the main rental companies with one click, monitor discounts and promotions and choose the best model for you without the risk of it not being available when you arrive. Furthermore, you are not at the mercy of price fluctuations that may occur if the city is very crowded. When there is a lot of demand, rental companies usually increase the rack price on the spot, and you won’t be able to know until you get there.
Foto: Toni Balaguer, Shutterstock.
To discover the best prices and offers, here at 360meridianos we use Rentcars, the largest website on the market, which compares prices across dozens of rental companies and is present in more than 60 countries. The company works with the “best price guarantee”. This means that they will refund the difference if you find a lower rate for the same conditions on another online platform after you have closed with them. A tip is to always filter your search by marking “best price” to find the best offers.
Rentcars is a partner of 360, so by booking here you also help the blog (and we thank you).
What types of car insurance are available?
Taking out insurance is essential when renting a car in Orlando. See the types of insurance offered and the difference between them:
- Loss Damage Waiver (LDW): covers all costs of any type of damage to the vehicle, including theft, collisions and vandalism.
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): only protects against collisions. Other types of damage are not covered.
- PEC or PEP (Personal property coverage): protects against theft or damage to personal items left inside vehicles. In general, the coverage amount does not exceed $1,500.
- ALI or EP (Additional Liability Insurance/Extended Protection): is protection for third parties. For cases, for example, where you need to pay for damage done to someone else’s vehicle.
- PAI ou PEP (Personal Accident Insurance): offers coverage for possible medical expenses for the driver and passengers. If you are going to take out travel insurance, you will already have coverage for this type of event, so you don’t need to pay extra for it on your car insurance. (It is very important to take out good travel insurance for the United States, as the price of medical services in the country is quite high. See here how to get it at a discount.)
- Roadside Assistance: offers coverage for assistance services if you need to be, for example, rescued from the road because you run out of gas, if your car breaks down out of nowhere or if you need to change a tire midway.
In summary, I recommend taking out damage insurance (LDW), which is the most important coverage, and also one for third parties (ALI or EP). Personal property coverage is unnecessary, just don’t leave valuables lying around in the car. Roadside Assistance is a great option if you want to travel with peace of mind and avoid any possible headaches.
Is renting a GPS worth it?
GPS is absolutely necessary to avoid getting lost on American highways. Today, however, with cell phone applications that do the job, you no longer need to rent a GPS device with your car. If you plan to buy a cell phone chip to access mobile internet during your trip, you can use your phone and Google Maps or Waze to guide you around Orlando. This option is usually even cheaper, as renting a GPS device usually costs around 10 dollars per day. You can get a month’s data plan for much less than that. Just go to any telephone kiosk or store like Best Buy and ask for a prepaid one (pre-paid).
Passing toll booths with a rental car in Orlando
The roads in the United States are full of tolls and in Florida this is no different. When renting a car in Orlando, they will come with the “Sun Pass” and “EPass” system stickers glued to the glass. These stickers give you the right to go through the toll without having to stop to pay, just get in the corresponding queue, which is indicated by a sign next to the collection points. When returning the car, the total amount of tolls will be charged by the rental company, deducted from the deposit check or charged to your credit card.
Foto: EQRoy, Shutterstock
As you approach the toll points, you will see that there are two other lines for different payment methods. At the “Change Receipts” sign there is an attendant to whom you can pay the amount and receive a receipt and your change. The one that says “Exact Coins”, you just put the money in a basket. There are no attendants and, therefore, you need to deposit the exact amount, as there is no change either. In general, the non-stop system is faster and more practical, but you may come across toll booths where they are not available, so always carry change with you.
Driving with Kids in Orlando
The use of child seats is mandatory in Florida. For babies under one year old or weighing up to 9 kg, you must use one of those cribs, and they must be installed facing away from the driver, facing the trunk, and always in the back seat. Children up to three years old must use a car seat. Four- and five-year-olds are exempt, but they need extra protection, whether with seat belts adapted to their size or those seats that raise the height of the car seat to make them more comfortable with the belt (they are called up seat booster).
This type of equipment can be rented along with the vehicle or purchased at any supermarket in the country. The second option is usually more affordable. In this case, I recommend thinking carefully about the logistics if you have to walk with the children without equipment to the nearest store. An alternative could be to rent the car seat for just one day, so you don’t run the risk of being fined on the way to the supermarket.
I got a fine in Orlando, what now?
Any fines you incur will be sent to the rental company and subsequently charged to your credit card. So be careful not to get a surprise in the future.
If you see a police car flashing its lights at you, stop the car on the side of the road and wait inside, with your hands on the steering wheel. Easy to access your driver’s license, passport and vehicle documents. Only leave the case if asked. You won’t always be stopped because the police officer wants to fine you. They can stop anyone and don’t need justification. In general, they will ask you a few questions, maybe give you some warning, and you can follow along. If you are driving at high speed and are fined, you will need to pay the fine on the spot. Pay attention to the limits, as the miles per hour system can confuse you. In the US, fines for driving below the minimum speed are also common. Avoid changing lanes all the time, as this is frowned upon and can also cause traffic problems.
