1st time renting a car in Florida

langside · 6 Aug 15, 10:23 AM

Just looking for advice.

I've drove/ hired a car in America once before - Kentucky for only 2 days on a business trip, but I'm expecting everything to be a lot busier in Florida so looking for some tips and advice.

Check in- do you need your paper counterpart driving licence? Last time I took it but never got asked for it and I didn't think it was counted as an official document anymore?

Car selection- In KY I was just given keys and told which parking bay my car was, from what I've read you select yourself from a choice at Sanford Airport (already prepaid Alamo Gold too) have I understood this right?

Do you get directions/ a map provided or do most of you pre plan your route before you fly or rent/ take a sat nav?

Do most of you take pictures of your car's condition before leaving the hire centre?

Possibly a stupid one- are all cars Automatic or can you get a manual (which I'd much prefer!)?

Tolls- never encountered these in KY! Are they manned so can offer change or do I need to prepare correct dollars/ notes and does each toll charge the same amount?

Mr Tom Morrow · 6 Aug 15, 10:33 AM

I have driven all over the East/West Coast and Canada since 1976 and Florida is no worse and no better than any other busy place really. All much of a muchness.

Cars are all automatic unless you get a speciality one

With Alamo you can do online check in for Sanford but I don't think you pick your own car, not sure?

Paper counterpart not needed in fact if you have it then you can rip it up as its not a valid document since July.

There is normally a map handed to you at the desk or exit barrier. I would plan your first route beforehand. There's loads of info on the Dibb if you do a search ref routes to take.

There are both manned and unmanned tolls so either have quarters ready or as you drive through the SunPass lane the system will kick in and charge you circa $19 plus each toll you activate

Guest · 6 Aug 15, 10:34 AM

You don't need the paper counterpart any more, we used to bring it but now they say you don't actually need it. If you are renting with Alamo at MCO (and I believe this is the case at Sanford too) they will just point you to the row of the class you booked and you are free to choose whatever you want (sometimes they put different vehicles in that row so you may actually get an upgrade).

You are usually given a basic Orlando map at the exit barrier, but we know the area pretty well by now (ish

) otherwise, just get a cheap or free sat nav app for your phone, the prices they charge for sat nav rental is pretty expensive.

We've never taken pictures of our car before leaving (probably should've) but I've always found Alamo cars to be in good condition inside and out, and all are automatic.

Some tolls are manned and some aren't, some require the exact amount (the unmanned ones) and some say change given. Its handy to have some change on the journey from the airport if you are using toll roads. The Alamo cars now I believe have Sun pass devices fitted which means if you want you can drive through the sunpass lane and as well as the cost of the toll there is a daily charge of around $2 or $3. Not 100% as we've never used them, we just use the regular lanes.

Most of the time you won't be using the toll roads as driving to and from the parks you won't usually encounter any.

langside · 6 Aug 15, 10:43 AM

Thank you both - just slightly apprehensive - I'm a country bumpkin so the words 'motorway', 'highway' and 'interstate' scare me ;-)

Good to know about the paper counterpart-one less thing to potentially forget!

Bit gutted about the lack of manuals but guess its the same for everyone, will make sure I've got a change purse ready before we go along with some mas and directions - already googled earthed the route and looks straightforward enough (famous last words?!)

Guest · 6 Aug 15, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by langside

Thank you both - just slightly apprehensive - I'm a country bumpkin so the words 'motorway', 'highway' and 'interstate' scare me ;-)

Good to know about the paper counterpart-one less thing to potentially forget!

Bit gutted about the lack of manuals but guess its the same for everyone, will make sure I've got a change purse ready before we go along with some mas and directions - already googled earthed the route and looks straightforward enough (famous last words?!)

Haha looks straightforward on paper, be careful when exiting on which exit you want to take either North or South. If you are staying in Disney or in the LBV area then the South exit would be better but if your up on I Drive or at Universal then you'll probably want the North exit.

It was dark and we were all talking and went the north exit last year by accident and got completely lost

once you get on the right road its easy enough though and generally everything is pretty well signposted.

DIBBadmin · 6 Aug 15, 10:49 AM

This thread has been automatically closed as it has not been posted on in 365 days.

6 Aug 15, 10:33 AM	#2
	6 Aug 15, 10:33 AM Mr Tom Morrow Imagineer
Mr Tom Morrow Imagineer Join Date: Jul 14 Location: The Tiki Room. theDIBB Guidebook Pages Created: 3	I have driven all over the East/West Coast and Canada since 1976 and Florida is no worse and no better than any other busy place really. All much of a muchness. Cars are all automatic unless you get a speciality one With Alamo you can do online check in for Sanford but I don't think you pick your own car, not sure? Paper counterpart not needed in fact if you have it then you can rip it up as its not a valid document since July. There is normally a map handed to you at the desk or exit barrier. I would plan your first route beforehand. There's loads of info on the Dibb if you do a search ref routes to take. There are both manned and unmanned tolls so either have quarters ready or as you drive through the SunPass lane the system will kick in and charge you circa $19 plus each toll you activate __________________ "PAGING MR MORROW, MR TOM MORROW..." ''I drink Wine and know things'' DVC Owners at SSR since 2003. Multiple annual visits to America since 1976

6 Aug 15, 10:34 AM	#3
	6 Aug 15, 10:34 AM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	You don't need the paper counterpart any more, we used to bring it but now they say you don't actually need it. If you are renting with Alamo at MCO (and I believe this is the case at Sanford too) they will just point you to the row of the class you booked and you are free to choose whatever you want (sometimes they put different vehicles in that row so you may actually get an upgrade). You are usually given a basic Orlando map at the exit barrier, but we know the area pretty well by now (ish ) otherwise, just get a cheap or free sat nav app for your phone, the prices they charge for sat nav rental is pretty expensive. We've never taken pictures of our car before leaving (probably should've) but I've always found Alamo cars to be in good condition inside and out, and all are automatic. Some tolls are manned and some aren't, some require the exact amount (the unmanned ones) and some say change given. Its handy to have some change on the journey from the airport if you are using toll roads. The Alamo cars now I believe have Sun pass devices fitted which means if you want you can drive through the sunpass lane and as well as the cost of the toll there is a daily charge of around $2 or $3. Not 100% as we've never used them, we just use the regular lanes. Most of the time you won't be using the toll roads as driving to and from the parks you won't usually encounter any.

6 Aug 15, 10:49 AM	#6
	6 Aug 15, 10:49 AM DIBBadmin Imagineer
DIBBadmin Imagineer Join Date: Mar 02	This thread has been automatically closed as it has not been posted on in 365 days.