Quick Summary:
- Ask to view the full agreement pages on-screen before signing.
- Confirm total pricing, deposits, taxes, and any selected extras line-by-line.
- Refuse to sign if only a signature box is shown.
- Request an emailed or printed copy immediately, before leaving the desk.
At Miami pick-up, it is common for the agent to hand you a tablet and ask for a signature. That signature can confirm far more than your name, it can acknowledge charges, selected extras, fuel terms, mileage rules, deposit amounts, and key conditions. For car hire, the safest approach is simple: do not sign until you have seen the full hire agreement, including the pricing summary and any optional products.
This article gives you a practical, polite script you can use at the counter, plus a checklist for what to verify on the tablet. It also explains how to get a copy immediately for your records, so you are not trying to reconstruct terms later.
Should you sign a tablet before seeing the full hire agreement?
No, you should not sign a tablet until you have reviewed the complete hire agreement and the final price breakdown on-screen. In many locations, the tablet signature is legally treated the same as signing paper. If the tablet only shows a signature box or a brief summary, ask to scroll through the full terms or request a printed agreement first.
In Miami, pick-ups can be busy and fast-paced, particularly around airport and downtown counters. That pace can lead to misunderstandings about optional extras, upgraded categories, or fuel and toll products. Your goal is not to slow everything down, it is to make sure what you sign matches what you intended to rent.
A step-by-step desk script you can use in Miami
Use the steps below in order. They are designed to sound calm and normal, even when the counter is busy.
Step 1, set the expectation before you take the tablet.
You say: “Thanks. Before I sign, could I please review the full hire agreement and the final total on the tablet?”
Step 2, if you only see a signature box, pause.
You say: “I can only see the signature screen. Could you open the agreement pages so I can read the terms and charges first?”
Step 3, ask for the price breakdown in one view.
You say: “Could we confirm the full total, including taxes, fees, and any extras, before I sign?”
Step 4, confirm each extra as ‘accepted’ or ‘declined’.
You say: “Please talk me through the optional items listed here, and mark anything I am not taking as declined.”
Step 5, confirm the deposit and card pre-authorisation.
You say: “What is the deposit or pre-authorisation amount today, and when is it released after return?”
Step 6, confirm fuel terms in plain language.
You say: “Just to confirm, is this full-to-full, and what happens if the tank is not returned full?”
Step 7, confirm toll handling.
You say: “How are tolls handled, and what are the daily or admin fees if I use toll roads?”
Step 8, confirm the vehicle class and rate basis.
You say: “Can we confirm the vehicle category and the daily rate basis, plus mileage rules?”
Step 9, ask for your copy immediately, before signing or immediately after.
You say: “Once I sign, can you email me a copy right now, and also provide a printed copy if possible?”
Step 10, if you feel rushed, use a neutral boundary.
You say: “I appreciate it is busy. I just need a minute to review what I am signing. Thank you.”
What to check on the tablet, line by line
When the agreement is on-screen, focus on items that commonly cause surprises. You are looking for clarity and alignment with what you intended for car hire.
1) Renter details and pick-up location
Make sure your name, licence details, and the correct pick-up and return locations are shown. A different return location can trigger a one-way fee.
2) Vehicle category and upgrade wording
Check the car group, not just the model shown in a picture. If you see “upgrade” or a different class, ask what changed and whether the price changed.
3) Rate, taxes, and facility fees
Look for the total due now and the total due at return, if separated. Confirm local taxes, airport concession fees where applicable, and any counter fees are included in the total you are approving.
4) Deposit or security hold
Miami pick-ups often include a card pre-authorisation. Confirm the amount and whether it is in addition to the rental charges. Also confirm which card types are accepted.
5) Optional extras
Carefully scan for items like additional driver, child seat, GPS, roadside assistance packages, toll products, and fuel products. Ensure each is explicitly accepted only if you want it.
6) Insurance and waivers
Do not rely on abbreviations. Ask what each option covers, what the excess is, and what exclusions apply. If you are declining, ensure the agreement shows it as declined, not pre-selected.
7) Fuel policy
Confirm the policy type. If it is not full-to-full, ask for the fuel charge method and any service fees.
8) Mileage and geographic restrictions
Confirm whether mileage is unlimited and whether there are restrictions on where you can drive. If you are planning longer drives, verify this before you leave the desk.
9) Damage reporting and inspection expectations
Check what you must do if you notice damage at pick-up. Many agreements require you to report issues before leaving the lot.
How to handle common pushbacks politely
“Everyone just signs, it is standard.”
You say: “I understand. I am happy to sign once I have reviewed the full agreement pages and totals.”
“It is all in the email later.”
You say: “That is helpful, but I need to see the full terms before signing, and I would like the copy sent while I am here.”
“The tablet does not show everything.”
You say: “No problem. Could you print the full agreement, or display it on your screen for me to review before I sign?”
“This extra is required.”
You say: “Could you show me where it is required in the agreement, and what it covers? If it is optional, please mark it declined.”
How to get a copy immediately for your records
Getting a copy at the counter matters, because it captures the exact terms at the moment you accepted them. Here is a practical approach that works well in Miami.
Ask for the delivery method before you sign.
If you wait until after, the queue may move on. Use: “Can you email the agreement to me straight after signature while I am still at the desk?”
Verify the email address shown on-screen.
Read it out and ask them to confirm. A single typo can mean you never receive the agreement.
Request a printout if available.
Even if it is only the summary page, it can be useful. If a printer is not available, ask for a PDF by email.
Check that the copy includes the pricing and extras.
Some systems send only a receipt. Ask for the “rental agreement” or “rental contract” PDF that shows accepted and declined items.
Save it immediately.
Open the email, download the PDF, and keep it accessible offline. If you are travelling without reliable data, this helps.
A quick Miami-specific tip for smoother pick-up
If your pick-up point is busy, having your key details ready reduces pressure. Keep your driving licence, card, and reservation details handy, and be prepared to confirm the exact vehicle group you expect. If you are comparing neighbourhood pick-ups, you can review location information for Downtown Miami car hire or Miami Beach car hire so you know what to expect on arrival.
If you are arriving via the airport area, it can also help to familiarise yourself with the pick-up flow around Doral airport-area car hire. For travellers combining Miami with nearby cities, reviewing the basics of Fort Lauderdale car hire can help you compare deposit and toll options across counters.
When it is reasonable to pause, escalate, or walk away
Most tablet signing issues are solved by calmly asking to scroll through the agreement. Still, you should pause and reconsider if any of these occur: you are prevented from seeing the full agreement, the total price keeps changing without clear explanation, extras are added after you declined them, or the agent refuses to send a copy immediately.
If you feel stuck, ask for a supervisor and repeat your request: “I am ready to proceed once I can review the full terms and the final total, and receive a copy.” If that cannot be provided, it is reasonable to delay signing until you are comfortable with what you are agreeing to.
FAQ
Is a tablet signature legally binding for car hire in Miami?
Yes. A tablet signature is generally treated like signing paper, so only sign after reviewing the full agreement, pricing, and selected extras.
What should I do if the tablet only shows a signature box?
Ask the agent to open the full agreement pages on the tablet, or provide a printed copy to review before you sign.
How can I make sure optional extras are not added?
Ask the agent to list each extra on-screen and confirm it is marked accepted or declined. Then re-check the total price and itemised charges.
When should I request a copy of the hire agreement?
Request it before signing and again immediately after signing. Ask for an emailed PDF sent while you are still at the desk.
What details should the emailed copy include?
It should show your rental dates, vehicle category, total charges, deposit amount, fuel and toll terms, and a clear list of accepted and declined extras.
