Quick Summary:
- Bring your original licence, plus an IDP if it isn’t Roman alphabet.
- If staff cannot read your licence, expect an IDP requirement.
- Carry your passport and booking name match to speed pick-up checks.
- Check your supplier’s pick-up rules before arriving in Florida.
If you are planning car hire in Florida and your driving licence is not in English, the short, practical answer is this, you might need an International Driving Permit (IDP) or an official translation at pick-up. Florida law and rental counter policies are not always identical, and it is the rental company’s check-in process that decides whether you can collect the vehicle.
This guide explains what an IDP does, when it is typically requested, and how to avoid arriving at the counter with documents the agent cannot accept. It is written for travellers arriving in Florida for holidays, work, or road trips, where the aim is smooth collection and clear expectations.
What an IDP is, and what it is not
An IDP is a standardised translation booklet linked to your home driving licence. It is designed so police and rental agents can read key details such as your name, date of birth, licence categories, and issue and expiry dates.
It is important to understand two points for car hire in Florida. First, an IDP is not a replacement for your licence. You must present your original physical driving licence, and the IDP is used alongside it. Second, an IDP does not create driving entitlement you do not already have, it only translates what you already hold.
For many visitors, the IDP becomes relevant when the licence is in a script or language that counter staff may not be able to interpret quickly, for example if it is not in the Roman alphabet. In those cases, the IDP can be the simplest way to demonstrate what you are permitted to drive.
Florida law versus rental company policy
Travellers often search for a single legal statement, but the on-the-ground outcome usually comes down to rental policy. Even if state rules allow driving with a valid foreign licence, a rental company can still require additional documentation to reduce risk, prevent fraud, and ensure the contract details are correct.
At pick-up, the agent must be able to confirm identity, confirm licence validity and class, and match the renter details to the booking and payment method. If a licence cannot be read, or the categories are unclear, the agent may decline to hand over the vehicle unless an IDP or certified translation is presented.
This is why two travellers with similar licences can have different experiences at different counters. Location, supplier, and staff training can influence how strictly a translation requirement is applied.
When you are most likely to need an IDP in Florida
You are most likely to need an IDP for car hire in Florida in these situations.
Your licence is not in the Roman alphabet. If your licence uses scripts such as Cyrillic, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Thai, or similar, an IDP is commonly requested because the agent needs a readable document to verify the details quickly.
Your licence does not clearly show issue and expiry dates. Some licences present dates in unfamiliar formats. If the agent cannot confidently interpret dates, an IDP helps standardise them.
Your licence categories are unclear. Rental desks need to confirm you are entitled to drive the vehicle class you are hiring. If the category markings are not recognisable, a translation is the fastest way to remove doubt.
You expect to drive outside Florida. If your itinerary crosses state lines, having an IDP can reduce uncertainty because not every state and agency interprets foreign documents in the same way. Even within Florida, an IDP can make roadside checks simpler.
Your name contains characters not easily matched to your passport. If the spelling on your licence is in a different script, or the transliteration differs from your passport, an IDP can help align details used on the rental agreement.
When you might not need an IDP, but should still consider one
If your licence is printed in English, or is bilingual with English, an IDP is often not required. Similarly, many licences from EU and EEA countries use familiar formats and are straightforward for agents to read.
However, “not required” is not the same as “never asked for”. If your licence is in a language that uses the Roman alphabet but is not English, the counter might still ask for an IDP if they cannot interpret category codes or local terms. The decision is practical, can the agent verify your details without delay or doubt.
An IDP can also be a useful backup if you lose your licence while travelling. It will not replace the licence for car hire, but it can support identity and entitlement discussions while you arrange replacement documents through your issuing authority.
What to take to the rental counter in Florida
To reduce the chance of being turned away at pick-up, travel with a small document pack. For Florida car hire with a non-English licence, bring your original driving licence, your IDP if applicable, and your passport.
You should also ensure the name on your booking matches your passport and driving licence, including middle names if they appear. If there is a mismatch, the counter may require the booking to be updated or may refuse to release the car, depending on supplier rules.
Payment requirements can be separate from licence rules, but they can still affect collection. Some suppliers require a credit card in the main driver’s name, and may place a deposit hold. Bring the card you intend to use and ensure it matches the booking details.
Airport and city pick-ups, what changes in practice
In Florida, you can collect a car at major airports or in city locations. In practice, airport counters tend to handle more international arrivals and may be more familiar with IDPs, but they may also be stricter because queues are long and fraud controls are tight.
If you are collecting around Fort Lauderdale airport, review the location details for car hire at Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) so you know what to expect when you arrive. For city pick-ups, you may prefer a neighbourhood location such as car hire in Doral or car hire in Brickell, where timings can be more flexible, but the document checks remain the same.
If your trip includes Orlando theme parks, you might also compare supplier policies around the airport area, such as Hertz car hire near Disney Orlando (MCO), since international visitors frequently collect there and IDP questions come up often.
Common reasons travellers are refused at pick-up
Most document issues are avoidable. These are the most common reasons people struggle to collect their Florida car hire when their licence is not in English.
No readable licence details. If the agent cannot read your name, dates, or vehicle categories, they may ask for an IDP. Without it, collection can fail.
Photocopies or digital images. Many suppliers require the original physical driving licence. A photo on your phone is usually not accepted.
Expired or damaged licence. Even minor damage can create doubts about authenticity. If the licence is cracked, peeling, or illegible, bring an IDP and consider obtaining a replacement before travel.
Mismatched names across documents. A booking under a different surname, missing middle name, or different transliteration can cause delays. The simplest approach is to keep all travel documents consistent.
Not meeting minimum licence holding period. Some suppliers require that you have held your licence for a minimum period. If the issue date is not obvious on your licence, an IDP can help show it clearly.
How to decide, should you get an IDP before travelling?
If your licence is not in English, the risk-based approach is sensible. Ask two questions. Can a rental agent in Florida read your licence quickly and confidently? Can they identify that you are licensed for the car class you are hiring?
If the answer to either question is “maybe”, getting an IDP before you travel is usually the easiest way to reduce uncertainty. It is typically quick to obtain in your home country, and it avoids the problem of trying to arrange a translation once you arrive.
It is also worth considering your itinerary and timing. If you land late, have a long drive ahead, or are travelling with family and luggage, you want the counter process to be as straightforward as possible. In those scenarios, arriving with an IDP can save time and stress.
What about an official translation instead of an IDP?
Some travellers ask if a translation letter is enough. A translation may help, but it is not always accepted because there is no single global standard for what a translation should look like. The IDP is recognised as a standardised format, which is why rental staff often prefer it.
If you do not have an IDP and your licence is not in English, a certified translation could still be useful, particularly if it clearly lists your name, address if shown on the licence, categories, and issue and expiry dates. The challenge is that the rental supplier may still insist on an IDP, especially if their policy documents specify one.
Driving in Florida with a foreign licence, practical tips
Once you have your car hire, keep your documents with you when driving. Carry your driving licence and, if you have one, your IDP. If you are stopped, being able to present readable documents helps the interaction go smoothly.
Also make sure you understand local basics such as speed limits, school zone rules, and right turns on red where permitted. These do not relate to the IDP question directly, but they matter to your trip and to avoiding fines.
Finally, if you change drivers, ensure additional drivers are correctly added to the rental agreement. Even if another driver has a valid licence and IDP, they may not be covered unless they are registered with the supplier.
FAQ
Do I legally need an IDP in Florida if my licence is not in English? Florida may allow driving with a valid foreign licence, but for car hire the rental company can still require an IDP or translation if they cannot read your licence.
If my licence is bilingual, do I still need an IDP for Florida car hire? Often no, if English details and categories are clear. If the key information is still hard to interpret, an IDP can prevent delays at pick-up.
Can I use an IDP on its own to collect a hire car? No. An IDP is a translation and must be presented together with your original driving licence.
What happens if I arrive without an IDP and the counter asks for one? The agent may refuse collection, or ask you to return with an IDP or acceptable translation. This can disrupt your plans, especially after long flights.
Does the same IDP advice apply at airports and city locations in Florida? Yes. The document requirement is tied to supplier policy, not the pick-up type, although airport desks may be more familiar with IDPs due to international arrivals.
