Quick Summary:
- Bring passport, UK photocard licence and your booking voucher on your phone.
- Use the main driver’s credit card, matching name, with sufficient available funds.
- Know your US accommodation address, postcode, phone number, and emergency contact.
- Confirm insurance choices, additional drivers and child seats before reaching the desk.
After a long flight, the last thing you want is a slow car hire collection at Orlando International Airport. Most delays are not caused by the queue itself, they are caused by missing documents, mismatched names, or uncertainty about insurance and payment rules.
This checklist is written for UK visitors collecting a vehicle at Orlando, with a focus on what the rental counter typically asks for, what can be digital, and what needs to match exactly. If you are comparing pickup options and supplier desks at MCO, the Hola Car Rentals pages for car hire at Orlando MCO and Orlando airport car rental give a useful overview of what to expect at the airport rental centre.
1) Primary ID: passport, and why it matters
Your passport is the simplest way for the rental agent to confirm identity and match the booking. Even if you have checked in online, many desks still require the physical passport for verification. If your passport is in a hold bag, move it to your hand luggage before you travel.
Practical tip, have your passport open on the photo page before you reach the desk. It sounds minor, but it can keep the interaction moving, especially if you are travelling as a family and juggling bags.
If you are travelling with other adults, remember only the person named as main driver is normally required to present ID at the counter, unless additional drivers are being added there and then.
2) Driving licence: UK photocard, and when you might need extra paperwork
For UK visitors, the key document is your UK photocard driving licence. Check the expiry date well before departure. If it is expired, the desk may refuse the rental, even if you are clearly an experienced driver.
Bring the physical licence. A photo on your phone is rarely accepted for the driver’s licence, because the desk needs to inspect security features and validate the card.
Do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in Florida. Most UK visitors do not, provided they have a full UK licence in English. However, requirements can vary by supplier and by licence type, so if you have a paper-only licence or any special circumstances, confirm before you fly. If you are unsure, having the IDP can remove a possible discussion at the counter.
Also check whether your name on the licence matches the booking. If your passport and driving licence show different names due to marriage or a deed poll change, bring supporting documentation. Without it, the agent may not be able to release the vehicle because the identity trail is unclear.
3) Payment card rules: what speeds things up the most
The biggest cause of counter delays at Orlando is payment, specifically which card is acceptable for the security deposit and any local charges. To keep the pick-up smooth, plan on the main driver presenting a credit card in their own name, with enough available credit for the deposit plus estimated charges.
Key points to have ready:
Name match: the name on the payment card must match the main driver. Initials or shortened names can sometimes trigger extra checks.
Credit versus debit: some suppliers accept debit cards, but not always for international travellers, and sometimes only with additional conditions. A credit card is the safest way to avoid delay.
Available funds: the deposit is usually a pre-authorisation, not a charge, but your bank still needs to approve it. If your card is near its limit, the pre-authorisation can fail, and resolving it at the counter can take time.
Bank security: tell your bank you will be in the US, and ensure your card issuer can approve a US pre-authorisation. If you use an app-based bank, check spending limits and whether international pre-authorisations are supported.
If you are considering different suppliers at MCO, it can help to review options in advance for brands such as Budget car hire at Orlando MCO or National car hire near Disney Orlando MCO, then check the payment requirements associated with your chosen deal before travel.
4) Booking proof: what to show, and what to double-check
Bring your booking confirmation in a form you can access without Wi-Fi. A saved PDF on your phone is ideal, plus a screenshot of the key details. The desk typically wants to see the reservation number and the booked name, dates, and vehicle category.
Before you land, confirm these details match your travel plan:
Pickup time: if your flight arrives late, ensure your pickup time is realistic. Some suppliers treat late arrivals as no-show after a grace period.
Flight number: if your booking includes it, make sure it is correct. It can help suppliers track delays.
Vehicle category: make sure you understand what you booked. “Intermediate” and “Standard” are categories, not a specific model.
Main driver details: confirm the main driver is the person who will present the card and licence. Changing the main driver at the desk can add time.
5) Address and contact details: have a US address ready
Many US rental counters ask for an address where you will be staying, plus a contact phone number. UK visitors sometimes slow down here because they only have a hotel name, not a full address, or they do not know the US ZIP code.
Before you travel, store these details in your notes app:
First night accommodation address: include street number, street name, city, state, and ZIP code.
US phone number: if you will use an eSIM or a US SIM, have the number ready. If not, some suppliers accept a UK number, but it can prompt questions.
Emergency contact: name and phone number, often requested on the rental agreement.
This information is not just administrative. It is often part of fraud prevention checks, which is why having it ready helps the agent complete the contract quickly.
6) Insurance and cover choices: decide before you reach the desk
Insurance discussions can be the longest part of the conversation. You can speed up pickup by knowing, in plain terms, what you want to accept or decline before you arrive at the counter.
Typical items discussed include collision damage cover, theft cover, third-party liability, glass and tyre cover, and roadside assistance. Some packages are included in your rate, while others are optional upgrades offered at the desk.
Bring proof of what you have already paid for, and be ready to ask one clear question if anything is unclear: “Can you show me which covers are included in this voucher, and which are optional.” Keeping it factual reduces confusion and keeps the queue moving.
If you plan to use a separate travel insurance policy or a credit-card insurance benefit, check the terms before flying. Many policies require you to decline the rental company’s damage waiver, or they may exclude certain vehicle types. Knowing this in advance avoids a last-minute decision under pressure.
7) Additional drivers: the fastest way to handle it
If you need a second driver, the quickest approach is to add them in advance where possible, then ensure they bring their physical driving licence and passport to the desk. If the additional driver is not present, many suppliers will not add them later without a return visit to the counter.
Also check the age rules for any driver. Young driver surcharges and minimum age requirements vary, and debating eligibility at the counter can delay pickup.
8) Child seats, tolls, and fuel: common time sinks
Families often lose time because child seat requirements are discussed at the desk. If you need a child seat, know the child’s age, height, and approximate weight, and whether you want rear-facing, forward-facing, or a booster. That information helps staff select the right seat quickly.
Toll plans are another frequent bottleneck in Orlando. Decide in advance whether you want to use the supplier’s toll programme, pay tolls yourself, or avoid toll roads where possible. The agent may explain local rules and fees, but it is faster if you already know your preference.
Fuel policy is usually straightforward, but it still causes confusion when travellers are tired. Confirm whether you are expected to return full to full, or whether there is a prepaid fuel option, then choose what suits your itinerary. The quickest pickup is usually when there is no extended discussion, because you have already decided.
9) Deposits, holds, and receipts: what to expect on your bank app
Even when everything is correct, travellers sometimes panic when they see a large pending amount on their credit-card app. A deposit is commonly applied as a pre-authorisation, which reduces your available credit temporarily and may look like a charge until it drops off.
To avoid delays caused by disputes at the desk, treat the pre-authorisation as normal, ask for a printed or emailed receipt for the deposit amount, and keep it until the hold is released. If your issuer is strict with fraud checks, be prepared to approve the transaction via your banking app while you are at the counter.
10) A quick counter-ready checklist to screenshot
Before you leave your accommodation for the airport rental centre, confirm you have:
1) Passport, physical, valid, and matching the booking name.
2) UK photocard driving licence, physical, valid, and belonging to the main driver.
3) Main driver’s credit card, name matches booking, available credit for deposit.
4) Booking voucher, saved offline with reservation number and supplier details.
5) US address details, including ZIP code, plus a reachable phone number.
6) Decisions on insurance, additional drivers, child seats, toll plan, and fuel.
With those items ready, most UK visitors can complete car hire paperwork at Orlando with minimal back-and-forth, and get on the road faster.
FAQ
Do I need to print my booking voucher for Orlando airport car hire? A printout is rarely required, but having an offline PDF or screenshot helps if mobile data is slow, and it can speed up verification.
Can I pick up if my credit card is in a different name to the driver? Usually no. The main driver normally must present a payment card in the same name for the deposit, otherwise the agent may refuse release.
Will a debit card work at MCO for UK visitors? Sometimes, but it depends on the supplier and conditions, and it can involve extra checks. A credit card for the main driver is the simplest route.
What address should I give if I are touring and changing hotels? Use the address for your first night in Orlando, including ZIP code. Keep the next accommodation details handy in case they ask.
Do additional drivers need to be present at the counter? In most cases, yes. They are commonly required to show their own passport and driving licence so the agent can add them to the agreement.
