Quick Summary:
- Many Florida suppliers prefer UK licences held 12 months or longer.
- A UK photocard renewal usually keeps your original driving entitlement date.
- Bring DVLA check code or summary to prove true licence age.
- If recently licensed, choose flexible suppliers and expect age surcharges.
When you arrive to pick up a Florida hire car, the desk agent is mainly checking two things, that you are legally licensed to drive, and that you meet the supplier’s risk rules. One of the most common sources of confusion for UK travellers is the idea of a “minimum licence held” period, especially if you have recently renewed your photocard, updated your name, or switched address.
The good news is that Florida car hire rarely hinges on a single, universal rule. Instead, minimum-held requirements vary by supplier, vehicle group, and sometimes by age band. Understanding how UK licences show entitlement dates, and having a couple of supporting documents ready, can prevent delays and reduce the chance of being refused at the counter.
Is there a fixed Florida rule on how long you must have held a UK licence?
No. Florida law requires you to be properly licensed, but it does not set a blanket “you must have held your licence for X months” requirement for visitors collecting a hire car. Minimum-held periods are typically commercial conditions set by the rental company and its insurer, not a state-wide legal rule.
That is why you might see different outcomes depending on where you collect, and which supplier’s terms apply. For example, a desk at an airport location can apply stricter checks during peak times than a neighbourhood branch, and premium or specialist vehicle categories can have tougher rules than basic economy cars.
If you are comparing pickup points, it can help to focus on the branch you will actually use. Hola Car Rentals lists popular Florida locations such as car hire at Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) and minivan rental in Orlando (MCO), where minimum-held policies may differ by supplier.
Common minimum-held requirements you may encounter
Although there is no single rule, there are patterns across the industry. These are “common minimums” UK drivers run into when collecting a Florida hire car.
12 months held. A frequent threshold is having held a full licence for at least one year. This is especially common for drivers under 25, for larger vehicles, and where the supplier’s insurer has stricter underwriting.
24 months held. Some suppliers and some vehicle groups ask for two years’ driving history. This is more likely for SUVs, larger people carriers, and higher-value vehicles, and it can also apply if you are close to the minimum driver age.
“Full licence only”. Learner permits and provisional licences are not accepted for self-drive hire in Florida. If your UK status is provisional, you will not be eligible, even if you have driven abroad before.
Additional driver rules. If you add another driver, they must independently meet the licence-held requirement. A common problem is meeting the requirement for the main driver, but not for a partner or family member you planned to share driving with.
Commercial vans and specialist categories. If you are looking at people movers or specialist vehicle classes, check the supplier’s rules carefully. Even where the headline requirement is 12 months, certain categories can require longer. If you plan to drive something larger around central areas, review local options such as car hire in Doral or SUV rental in Tampa (TPA) to find a suitable fit for your group and driving history.
What Florida hire desks mean by “licence held”
When a rental desk asks how long you have held your licence, they usually mean how long you have held a full entitlement to drive the category of car you are hiring. For most travellers, that means a full UK Category B entitlement.
This matters because the date printed on your UK photocard can be misread. A desk agent might look at “valid from” or the issue date on the photocard and assume you only became licensed recently. In reality, your entitlement may go back many years.
Because desk checks are fast, it helps to know where your entitlement date sits and how to explain it calmly. If your UK licence has multiple categories, ensure the Category B “from” date is visible and makes sense, especially after changes such as a replacement photocard.
Does renewing a UK photocard reset the clock?
In most cases, no. A standard UK photocard renewal does not reset your driving history. The physical card may show a new issue date because it is a new card, but your entitlement start date for Category B typically remains your original pass date.
This is the key distinction:
Photocard issue date is about the plastic card being printed and reissued. It can change after renewal, replacement, address update, or name change.
Entitlement start date is about when you first obtained the right to drive that category. That is the date most suppliers care about when they say “held for 12 months”.
However, real-world desk checks are not always perfect. If an agent uses the photocard’s most obvious date rather than the entitlement date, you may be challenged. That is where extra proof can help.
What counts as a renewal, replacement, or change, and how it is treated
UK drivers often worry that any administrative change will look like a brand-new licence. These are typical scenarios, and how they are usually interpreted for Florida car hire.
Routine 10-year photocard renewal. Normally fine, entitlement dates should still show your original Category B start date.
Replacement after loss or theft. The new card can look “recent”, but entitlement dates should still reflect your driving history. This is a common situation where supporting documentation is useful.
Change of address. Reissued card, same entitlement. It should not be treated as newly licensed.
Name change. Again, a reissue. If you have recently changed your name, ensure your hire booking name matches your passport, and bring supporting evidence if your licence name differs from your travel documents.
Upgrading from automatic-only to manual. If your UK entitlement has changed recently, it may be your “full manual” entitlement date that matters if you are hiring a manual vehicle. In Florida most hire cars are automatic, but if a supplier classifies the hire category differently, the relevant entitlement date could be checked.
Recently passed test. If you passed within the last year, you may still be able to hire, but choices can be narrower, and insurance conditions can be stricter. You will want to confirm licence-held terms for the specific supplier and car group.
Alternative proof that can help at the counter
If you suspect your photocard issue date could cause confusion, bring additional proof that supports how long you have been licensed. Not every desk will ask, but having it ready can make the conversation quicker.
DVLA licence check code and summary. The DVLA online “Share your driving licence” service can generate a check code and a summary of your entitlements. A printed copy, or a screenshot stored offline, can help demonstrate your entitlement dates if there is any doubt.
Older licence card or paper counterpart (if you still have it). The UK no longer issues a paper counterpart, but if you have older documents, they can add context. Do not rely on them as a primary document, your current photocard is what the supplier expects.
Insurance history or no-claims documentation. This is not an official licence record, but it can support your story if an agent questions your experience. Some suppliers will not accept this as proof, but it can still be helpful when paired with DVLA evidence.
International Driving Permit (IDP). Florida generally accepts a valid UK photocard licence for visitors, but an IDP can be useful if there is any uncertainty about formats, especially for older-style licences or if you want an additional document in a standardised format. Note that an IDP is not a substitute for your UK licence, it is supporting documentation.
Passport and matching names. It sounds basic, but mismatched names between passport, licence, and booking are a frequent reason for delays. If your name has changed, bring the relevant evidence and ensure your documents align.
What if you have held your licence less than the minimum?
If you are newly qualified, you are not automatically excluded from Florida car hire, but you may face limitations. The practical outcomes tend to fall into a few categories.
Limited supplier availability. Some suppliers will not rent to drivers who have held a full licence for less than 12 months. Others may allow it only for certain car groups. Availability can differ by branch.
Higher costs due to age and risk. If you are under 25, you may see young driver surcharges, and combining that with a short licence history can narrow choices further.
More scrutiny at the desk. Expect closer checks of your documents, and be prepared to answer straightforward questions about when you passed and what you are hiring.
Consider the vehicle category. Choosing a standard car rather than a larger category can help. Some travellers also pick pickup locations where they are comfortable with the branch setup and process, such as car hire in Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
How to avoid surprises when collecting a Florida hire car
Minimum-held requirements usually only become a problem when expectations are unclear. These steps reduce the chance of an issue at the counter.
Check the supplier terms for your specific car group. “Car hire” rules are not always universal across categories. A compact car can be treated differently from a minivan or SUV.
Confirm which licence date you are relying on. If your photocard was reissued recently, locate your Category B entitlement start date and be ready to point it out. Do not assume an agent will interpret the dates the way you do.
Bring a DVLA check code or summary. It is a simple extra step that can save time if there is any question about how long you have held your licence.
Arrive with consistent documents. The name on your licence should match your passport and booking where possible. If not, bring supporting evidence and expect additional checks.
Allow a little extra time. Florida airports can be busy. If your licence situation is slightly unusual, a few extra minutes can prevent stress.
FAQ
Do I need to have held my UK licence for 12 months to hire a car in Florida? Not always. Many suppliers commonly require 12 months, but it is a supplier and vehicle-group rule rather than a Florida-wide legal requirement.
My UK photocard was renewed recently, will Florida treat me as newly licensed? Usually no. A renewal changes the card issue date, but your Category B entitlement date normally shows how long you have been licensed.
What document best proves how long I have held my UK licence? A DVLA licence summary using a check code is often the clearest supporting proof, alongside your physical photocard licence.
Can I collect a Florida hire car if I passed my test less than a year ago? Sometimes, but options can be limited and you may face stricter conditions or higher costs. It depends on the supplier and the car category.
Do added drivers need to meet the same minimum licence-held period? Yes. Each additional driver is usually checked separately and must meet the same licence and age rules as the main driver.
