Quick Summary:
- Most Florida depots cannot access DVLA, so a share code is optional.
- Bring your photocard licence, passport, and a credit card in-name.
- If staff ask for extra checks, show recent DVLA licence details printout.
- Ensure your booking name matches documents to avoid refused car hire.
UK drivers collecting a rental car in Florida often ask whether they must provide a DVLA “share code” at the desk, or whether depot staff will run an online licence check like in the UK. The short, practical answer is that Florida rental counters typically cannot use the DVLA online “Check a licence” service in the way a UK insurer or employer can. That does not mean the share code is useless, but it is usually not required for car hire pick-up in the United States.
This guide explains what Florida depots can and cannot verify, what identification to bring instead, and how to handle the occasional situation where a counter agent asks for extra verification. The goal is simple: reduce the chances of delays, extra charges, or a refused pick-up after a long flight.
What is a DVLA share code, and why UK renters mention it?
A DVLA share code is a time-limited code that allows someone to view your UK driving licence details online, including entitlements, penalty points, and disqualifications. In the UK, it replaced the old paper counterpart and is commonly used for employment checks, fleet policies, and sometimes for UK car hire verification.
Because it is now a familiar step at home, UK travellers sometimes assume a Florida depot will ask for it too. In practice, US rental operations generally rely on physical identity documents, the licence itself, and payment card verification. They may also run internal checks or request additional documents if something does not match their requirements.
Can Florida rental depots actually use DVLA online checks?
In most cases, no. The DVLA online service is designed for sharing with UK-based organisations and requires the driver to generate a share code. Even with a code, a US counter agent may not have the process, time, or training to use it, and may not be able to access the service reliably due to network restrictions, compliance policies, or simply unfamiliarity.
So, while you can generate a share code before you travel, treat it as a back-up rather than a core pick-up requirement. Think of it as one more way to reassure an agent if they have concerns about endorsements or licence validity, not something that is routinely requested across Florida.
If you are collecting at a major airport location, such as Orlando Airport (MCO), the desk process is typically standardised and geared to international customers. Even then, document matching and payment eligibility matter far more than a DVLA online check.
What you usually need for Florida car hire at pick-up
Most Florida depots focus on three essentials: a valid driving licence, proof of identity, and a payment method that meets their deposit rules. For UK visitors, the most dependable document set is straightforward.
1) Your UK photocard driving licence
Bring the physical photocard licence. A photo on your phone is not normally accepted. Check the expiry date well in advance, especially if you last renewed years ago.
2) Your passport
For international renters, a passport is the most widely accepted photo ID. The name on the passport should match your booking and payment card.
3) A credit card in the main driver’s name
Many US rental desks prefer, and often require, a credit card for the security deposit. The most common pick-up problems happen when the driver only has a debit card, a card in a different name, or insufficient available funds for the preauthorisation hold.
4) Your booking confirmation
Have the confirmation available offline or printed. It helps if there is any confusion about what was reserved, inclusions, or the pick-up location.
If your trip involves different Florida pick-up points, requirements can feel slightly different. For example, a downtown desk may have different deposit policies than an airport counter. If you are collecting in the city, refer to the practical information for downtown Miami so you know what to expect at a non-airport location.
Is an International Driving Permit (IDP) required in Florida?
For UK licence holders, an IDP is not usually required for short-term visits to drive in Florida, provided you have a valid licence in English and meet the rental company’s rules. However, requirements can vary by supplier policy and by individual agent discretion, especially if your licence is damaged, very worn, or difficult to read.
If you already have an IDP, it can be a helpful supporting document, but it does not replace your UK photocard licence. If you do not have one, do not assume you will be refused for that reason alone. The bigger risks tend to be name mismatches, payment card eligibility, and not meeting age or licence-holding requirements.
Why might a Florida agent ask for a DVLA share code anyway?
Occasionally, a counter agent may ask for “a licence check” or “proof of points” because they are trying to resolve a specific concern. Common triggers include:
Name variations between booking, licence, and card, including missing middle names or double surnames.
Licence condition such as heavy wear, peeling laminate, or hard-to-read details.
Recent licence changes such as a renewed licence with a new issue date, which can confuse the “how long have you been licensed?” question.
System flags or manual verification steps for international licences, particularly if the agent is new or the queue is long.
In these situations, a DVLA share code might help, but only if the agent is willing and able to use it. Many will not. The safer approach is to bring alternative supporting evidence that does not rely on the depot accessing a UK government website.
What to bring instead of a DVLA share code, if extra verification is requested
If you want to be well prepared, bring one or more of the following. They are not always needed, but they can defuse a problem quickly.
A printed DVLA licence summary
Before travel, view your DVLA driving record and print or save a PDF that shows your entitlements and status. A paper copy can be easier for desk staff than asking them to use a share code portal.
Proof of return travel and accommodation
Rarely requested, but sometimes useful if an agent is confirming residency or travel intent, particularly if there is confusion about address or contact details.
An additional card in the same name
If a preauthorisation fails due to bank controls, having a second eligible card can save time. Make sure the main driver is the cardholder.
Insurance documentation if you arranged separate cover
If you are relying on a policy that is not the desk’s standard package, keep the policy certificate and key terms accessible. Note that coverage acceptance varies by supplier, so be ready for the desk to explain how their own cover interacts with yours.
These steps matter whether you are collecting at a big airport or somewhere like Miami Airport (MIA), where international arrivals can mean busy desks and less time per customer.
How to avoid refused pick-up: the most common Florida pitfalls for UK renters
Refused pick-up is usually not about a missing DVLA share code. It is more often caused by one of these practical issues.
1) Payment card does not meet deposit rules
Even if you prepaid online, the desk may still require a deposit hold. If your card is a debit card, a prepaid card, or is not in the driver’s name, the counter may decline the rental. Check your card type, available funds, and overseas transaction settings before you fly.
2) Main driver is not present, or documents are in another person’s name
The person named as the main driver usually must be the one collecting, showing the licence, and presenting the payment card. If you plan to swap drivers, add additional drivers properly rather than relying on informal arrangements.
3) Age and licence-holding period
Many suppliers have minimum age rules and may apply young driver fees. They may also require that you have held a full licence for a set period. Bring a licence that clearly shows validity, and be ready to explain the UK “issue date” versus how long you have been driving, if asked.
4) Mismatched names and inconsistent details
Ensure the booking name matches your passport and licence. If you have a hyphenated surname, multiple middle names, or recently changed your name, align the reservation to the documents you will present.
5) Arriving late, or outside scheduled hours
Some bookings are treated as no-shows after a certain time. If your flight is delayed, contact the supplier or intermediary as soon as possible so the reservation is more likely to be held.
If you are travelling with family and need more space, choosing the right vehicle category can reduce desk stress too. A clear reservation for a larger vehicle, such as a people carrier, can help avoid last-minute category disputes at busy times. See practical options for minivan rental at Orlando MCO.
What to say at the counter if an agent asks for a “licence check”
If a counter agent asks for a DVLA check or share code, keep it simple and cooperative. You can say that UK licence details are available via DVLA, but US depots do not usually use it, and you have supporting documents available.
Offer, in this order:
1) Your physical UK photocard licence and passport
2) A printed DVLA licence summary (or PDF on your phone)
3) A share code, if you generated one, plus the time window it remains valid
If the agent insists on something you cannot provide, ask politely for a supervisor. In many cases the issue is policy interpretation rather than a hard requirement. Staying calm helps because the staff member is trying to meet audit rules, not challenge your entitlement to drive.
Does the depot need to see the UK licence “counterpart”?
No. The UK paper counterpart was abolished years ago, and rental staff in Florida generally will not expect it. If someone mentions it, they usually mean “any proof of points or endorsements”. A DVLA printout can satisfy that concern more easily than trying to explain the old counterpart system.
Planning your Florida route: why location and supplier can change the experience
Across Florida, the basics are consistent, but the pick-up flow can differ based on location volume, staffing, and the supplier’s own processes. Airport desks handle high volumes and many international renters, so they often have clearer routines. Downtown desks can be quieter but may have less flexibility on vehicle availability and payment rules.
If you prefer a specific supplier experience, it can help to review location details in advance. For example, if your trip includes the Gulf Coast, you can compare options like Enterprise at Tampa TPA so you know where you are collecting and what to bring.
FAQ
Do I need a DVLA share code to pick up a rental car in Florida?
Usually no. Most Florida car hire desks do not require a DVLA share code and may not be able to use it. Bring your UK photocard licence, passport, and a credit card in the driver’s name.
If a Florida depot asks for a licence check, what should I show?
Show your physical driving licence and passport first. If they want extra reassurance, offer a printed DVLA licence summary or PDF, and a share code if you have one.
Can a US rental company access DVLA records directly?
Typically they cannot access DVLA records in the same way a UK organisation does. Processes vary, but most verification at pick-up is based on your documents and payment eligibility.
Will I be refused if I do not have a share code?
It is uncommon. Refusals are more often caused by payment card issues, name mismatches, age rules, or the main driver not having the required documents.
Should I get an International Driving Permit for Florida car hire?
It is not usually required for UK licence holders in Florida, but it can be a helpful supporting document. It does not replace your UK photocard licence.
