Quick Summary:
- Most Florida car hire counters require the additional driver to be present.
- Bring the extra driver’s physical driving licence and matching photo ID.
- Ask for the amended agreement showing all drivers before leaving.
- Confirm how adding drivers changes daily fees, deposits, and insurance cover.
When you pick up a rental car in Florida, adding an additional driver sounds simple, but it often hinges on one practical detail, does that person need to be there in person. The short, useful answer for most car hire situations is yes, the additional driver usually has to be present at the counter when they are added. The longer answer is that it depends on the rental company’s policy, the location’s procedures, and whether the driver is being added at pickup or later.
This matters because, in Florida, counter staff typically need to verify identity and eligibility, run licence checks, and ensure the rental agreement is correctly updated. If the extra driver is not properly added, they are normally not authorised to drive, which can create problems if there is an accident, a traffic stop, or a claim.
Below is a practical guide to common counter rules in Florida, what documents to bring, how fees and deposits can change, and what you should confirm before you leave the lot.
Does the additional driver have to be present in Florida?
In most Florida car hire pick-ups, the additional driver must be physically present when being added. The reason is straightforward, the rental desk needs to confirm the person’s identity and examine their original driving licence, and often a second form of identification. This is not just bureaucracy. It is the process that makes them an authorised driver on the agreement.
Some renters assume they can add a spouse, friend, or colleague later by phone. Policies vary, but it is common for desk agents to require the additional driver to come to the counter, even if the main renter has already collected the car. If you know you will share driving, the most reliable approach is to have everyone who will drive attend the counter together.
If you are collecting at a busy airport desk, you may also find that staff stick rigidly to the rule, because it protects both parties. This can be especially relevant at major pickup points like Miami Airport car hire, where high volume processes often mean fewer exceptions.
Why rental companies usually insist on presence
Presence is typically required because the rental company needs to complete a few checks at the time of adding the driver:
Licence validity and condition. Staff usually need to see the physical licence to confirm it is current, legible, and matches the driver’s identity.
Identity matching. Names must match across documents and the rental agreement. If there are differences due to middle names, hyphenation, or recent changes, it is better to spot them at the desk.
Eligibility checks. Depending on the provider, they may check age, driving history requirements, and whether the driver meets minimum licence tenure.
Contractual consent. The additional driver usually signs, or is otherwise recorded as accepting, the rental terms. This is harder to do without them present.
These steps can be quick if everyone arrives prepared, but they cannot happen if the person is not there with documents in hand.
What documents the additional driver should bring
Document expectations can differ between providers, but for Florida car hire it is safest to assume the additional driver must present:
A valid driving licence (physical card). A photo driving licence is commonly expected. Temporary licences or digital-only formats may not be accepted at the counter.
Photo identification. Many desks accept a passport for visitors, and some accept other government issued photo ID. The key is that it must match the name on the driving licence.
International Driving Permit (IDP), if relevant. Some visitors carry an IDP in addition to their home licence. Requirements vary by country of issue and rental company policy, but having one can prevent delays if asked.
Proof of address or additional verification, occasionally. This is not always required, but if a desk asks for supplementary verification, it is easier to handle if the additional driver is present.
If you are planning to collect in a neighbourhood location rather than an airport, rules are usually similar. For example, desk procedures in central areas like Brickell car hire may still require in-person checks to add any extra driver.
Will adding an additional driver affect the price?
Often, yes. Adding a driver can change the overall cost of car hire in Florida in several ways, even if the base rate stays the same.
Additional driver fee. Many rental companies charge a daily fee per additional driver. The amount varies by brand, location, and sometimes by vehicle class. It can be capped after a number of days, or it can apply for the full rental period.
Taxes and surcharges. Florida rentals typically include state and local taxes, plus airport or facility charges where applicable. Extra driver fees can be taxed too, increasing the total more than expected.
Deposit or pre-authorisation amount. Some providers adjust the deposit when additional drivers are added, especially if the extra driver is under a certain age or if there are changes to coverage options.
Insurance and protection packages. The protections you select often apply to authorised drivers only. When you add a driver, you want explicit confirmation that the same cover applies to them as well, not just to the primary renter.
Because these items are contract based, ask for a total price breakdown after the driver is added and before you accept the agreement. This avoids surprises later.
How adding a driver affects insurance and cover
A common misunderstanding is that “anyone can drive as long as they are licensed”. For car hire, that is rarely true. Cover and protections are generally tied to the rental agreement and authorised drivers listed on it.
Key points to confirm at the counter include:
Who is covered. Ask whether collision damage cover, liability arrangements, or any selected protection products apply to all authorised drivers equally.
What happens if an unauthorised person drives. Typically, if someone not listed drives and an incident occurs, the renter can be held responsible for damage, and cover can be reduced or voided. Exact outcomes vary, so it is worth clarifying rather than assuming.
Roadside assistance scope. If roadside cover is included or purchased, confirm it applies when the additional driver is driving too.
Personal items and personal accident cover. These products, where offered, may have different terms, and they may define who is a covered person.
If your itinerary includes heavy city driving and parking, such as around Miami, you may be especially keen to ensure every intended driver is authorised and covered. That is one reason many travellers prefer to settle driver details upfront when arranging downtown Miami car hire.
Can you add an additional driver later, after pickup?
Sometimes you can, but do not count on it being quick or possible at every location. Many companies require you to return to a counter location with the additional driver present, along with their documents, to update the agreement. A phone request may not be sufficient because staff still need to verify the person.
If you are mid-trip and want to add someone, plan for time. You may need to visit an airport desk or a major branch during operating hours. If you are staying near Orlando theme parks, for example, you may find it easier to handle driver updates at a larger facility tied to your booking channel, such as Avis car hire near Disney Orlando, where full counter services are expected.
Also note that adding a driver later may change the charges from that day forward or for the whole agreement, depending on the provider’s policy. Always get the updated total in writing on the revised rental agreement.
Typical Florida requirements that can trip people up
Even if everyone is present, a few practical issues commonly slow down the process:
Name mismatches. If a driving licence shows a different surname than a passport, bring supporting documentation if relevant. Desk staff may refuse to add the driver if they cannot reconcile the identity.
Licence issues. Expired licences, damaged cards, or non-standard documents can cause a refusal. Bring the best official version available.
Age or young driver rules. Florida providers often have minimum age requirements and surcharges for younger drivers. If the additional driver is under the standard age threshold, the fee may increase significantly, or the driver may be ineligible.
Licence tenure. Some companies require a driver to have held a licence for a minimum period. Visitors with newly issued licences may be declined.
Payment card and renter responsibility. In many cases, only the primary renter’s card is used for the deposit, even if you add drivers. The renter remains responsible for charges under the agreement, so ensure you trust anyone you add.
What to do at the counter, a simple checklist
To keep things smooth, use this sequence when you arrive for car hire pickup in Florida:
1) Decide drivers in advance. Before you travel to the pickup location, agree who will drive, and bring them with you.
2) Present documents together. Have each driver’s driving licence and photo ID ready before you reach the desk.
3) Ask for the fee and cover impact. Request the updated daily cost, total estimated charges, and confirmation of who is covered.
4) Verify the agreement lists every driver. Do not rely on verbal assurances. Check that names are printed on the rental agreement or in the digital confirmation the desk provides.
5) Keep copies accessible. Save a photo or digital copy of the agreement so you can reference it if needed during your trip.
This approach is useful whether you are collecting at an airport, a suburb, or a business district. In areas like Doral, where travellers often combine city driving with longer highway trips, having the correct driver list from the start can prevent time-consuming returns to the desk. If you are arranging Doral car hire, it is still best to assume in-person addition rules apply.
So, what is the best way to avoid issues?
If you want an additional driver in Florida, treat it as a pickup-time task. Bring the person to the counter, bring original documents, and ask for the agreement to be updated before you take the keys. This prevents confusion about authorisation and reduces the risk of unexpected costs or coverage gaps.
Finally, remember that policies can differ by rental brand and location, even within Florida. The safest approach is to follow the strictest common rule, the additional driver attends in person and is added before departure.
FAQ
Do all Florida rental companies require the additional driver to be present? Most do, because they need to verify identity and inspect the physical driving licence. Some exceptions exist, but you should plan for in-person attendance.
Can I add my additional driver by phone after I collect the car? Sometimes, but many companies will still require the driver to visit a counter with documents. If you cannot add them properly, they should not drive.
What documents does an additional driver need in Florida? Typically a valid physical driving licence and matching photo ID. Some visitors may also be asked for an International Driving Permit, depending on licence origin and provider policy.
Does adding an additional driver change insurance cover? It can. Protections usually apply only to authorised drivers listed on the agreement, so confirm the added driver is included and covered before you leave.
Is there usually a fee for an additional driver in Florida? Often there is a daily additional driver fee, plus tax. Always ask for the updated total and ensure the agreement reflects the change.
