Renting a Car in Miami from the UK: The Convertible Guide for British Drivers
You leave Heathrow under a sky the color of wet pavement. Hours later the plane doors open, the warm air hits you, and somewhere nearby a Mustang Convertible is waiting with the top already down. That's the moment British guests tell us about most: the first drive out of the garage, sunglasses on, palms overhead, wondering why they didn't do this years ago.
British travelers are some of our most frequent visitors, and more people visit our website from London than from any other city in the world. So we've gathered every question British drivers ask us before they book, and answered them like a friend in Miami would. So let's explore what are the requirements when renting a car in Miami from the UK.
Renting a car in Miami from the UK: what to bring
The paperwork is simpler than most people expect.
Your valid UK driving license. Bring the physical photocard license from home.
Your original passport. We ask all international drivers for both.
A payment card. Most European guests can use a debit card with us. Ask our team when you book and we'll confirm the right option for your card.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
This is the question we hear most from UK guests. In 2013, Florida suspended a short-lived requirement for overseas visitors to carry an International Driving Permit, and the Florida Highway Patrol said it would not take enforcement action based solely on a missing IDP, as Travel Weekly reported at the time. What you must carry is a valid license from home. Some British drivers still bring an IDP for peace of mind, and that's a perfectly sensible choice.
Age rules by car
Mustang Convertible and Jeep Wrangler: 21+
Jeep Sahara: 23+
Mustang GT Convertible and Porsche Boxster: 25+
Corvette C8 Convertible: 28+
Picking up your car
We keep this as quick as possible, because nobody flies across the Atlantic to queue at a counter.
Paperwork is done before you land. You'll have everything sorted by the time you collect the keys.
Miami International Airport (MIA): self-service pickup in the Flamingo Garage or Dolphin Garage, with step-by-step instructions sent to you beforehand.
Fort Lauderdale (FLL): also fully self-service, with instructions sent ahead.
In the city: our Miami Beach HQ, Downtown / Port of Miami, and Brickell, our newest location.
South Beach hotel delivery: available with 48 hours' notice.
One of our guests, a Local Guide from the UK, summed it up in his Google Review: "Coming from the UK having pre booked before traveling, it was an easy experience from start to finish."
Nobody flies across the Atlantic to queue at a rental counter.
Mind the jet lag
Miami is usually five hours behind the UK. If you're landing in the evening after a long flight, consider collecting the car the next morning and starting your first drive fresh, with the whole day ahead of you. Your first time driving on the right is much easier after a proper night's sleep, and the causeways look better in morning light anyway.
Driving in Miami: the differences British drivers notice
Most UK drivers settle in within a few minutes. These are the things worth knowing before you leave the garage.
You'll drive on the right
Obvious, but it's the one to repeat to yourself at every junction, roundabout and car park exit for the first day. Take the first turns slowly and let your passenger be your second pair of eyes.
Turning right on red is allowed
In Florida you can turn right at a red light after coming to a complete stop, as long as you give way to pedestrians and other traffic, unless a sign says otherwise. It's written into Florida Statutes section 316.075. Local signs that prohibit it take priority, so keep an eye out.
Stop for school buses
When a school bus stops and shows its stop signal, traffic must stop and wait until the signal is withdrawn. The main exception is if you're travelling in the opposite direction on a divided road with a raised median or physical barrier. The full rule is in Florida Statutes section 316.172.
Some things will feel familiar
Speed limits are posted in miles per hour, just like home. Fuel is "gas," sold by the US gallon, which is smaller than the imperial gallon you're used to, so don't be alarmed by the numbers on the pump.
Tolls are cashless, and we handle them
Many Miami roads are toll roads, and many are cashless. Every one of our cars is set up for tolls. You pay the actual tolls you use, plus a $5 per day service fee capped at $15 (the cap applies to the fee only), both billed automatically. Most guests choose to prepay SunPass when they book, so there's nothing to settle after the trip and nothing deducted from the security deposit.
Take the first turns slowly, let your passenger be your second pair of eyes, and you'll feel at home on Miami's roads within minutes.
Miles and deposits at a glance
Unlimited miles on the standard rate for the Mustang Convertible, Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Sahara.
150 miles per day included on the Mustang GT, Corvette C8 and Porsche Boxster, with extra miles at $1 to $4 per mile depending on the length of the rental ($4 per mile on a 1-day rental, $1 per mile on a 7-day rental).
Security deposits: Mustang Convertible $300 · Jeep Wrangler $300 · Jeep Sahara $500 · Porsche Boxster $500 · Mustang GT $1,000 · Corvette C8 $1,500. Deposits are released the same day you return the car.
Planning a Florida Keys road trip? The Mustang Convertible with unlimited miles is the one most of our British guests choose. The Overseas Highway is 113 miles long and crosses 42 bridges on its way to Key West, and you'll want to stop at half of them.
What to pack for a convertible trip
A convertible changes your packing list a little. Here's what our team tells every British guest:
Sunscreen, and lots of it. The Miami sun is stronger than it feels with the breeze in your face. Put it on before you drive, not after.
A hat that stays on, or a hair tie. Wind at highway speed has opinions about your hairstyle.
Good sunglasses. You'll be facing straight into the light on every westbound drive at sunset.
A light layer for the evening. Winter nights by the water can feel cooler than you expect with the top down.
Soft, packable luggage. Convertible boots are smaller than saloon boots, so duffel bags fit far better than hard suitcases. Tell us how many cases you're bringing and we'll help you choose the right car.
A phone mount or a co-pilot. Your passenger makes the best navigator.
Your first drives in Miami
You've got the keys. Here's where we'd send a friend visiting from Britain.
Ocean Drive at golden hour
Start in South Beach. Roll slowly past the Art Deco hotels as the light turns warm and pink. It's busy, it's loud, it's completely Miami, and every British guest should do it once.
The Rickenbacker Causeway to Key Biscayne
Cross from the mainland toward Key Biscayne with Biscayne Bay on both sides and the skyline behind you. It's one of the best views in the city from an open car.
A1A north along the coast
Head up Collins Avenue and keep going. The ocean is on your right, the palms are overhead, and the high-rises slowly give way to quieter beach towns.
Brickell after dark
Pick up or return at our Brickell location and finish the day among the towers, the rooftop bars and the restaurants of Miami's financial district.
The Overseas Highway to the Keys
This is the big one, the drive British guests put on their bucket list. Start early, take your time over the bridges, and stop for key lime pie on the way. Our Miami to Key West guide has the route.
London to the Overseas Highway, top down. That's the trip.
Why British guests book with us
Miami Convertibles is a family-owned company, started by Leo in 2012 after years of watching travellers get the bad news at a corporate rental counter: "Sorry, your Mustang isn't available." So we built the opposite. The car you book is the car you get. Model guaranteed · color based on availability.
Real people answer our phones from 7:30 AM to 3 PM every day at (305) 799-7892, and we're happy to help you plan the route as well as the rental. Browse the whole fleet or read our FAQ for more.
From the UK to top down in Miami
Paperwork done before you land, self-service pickup at MIA and FLL, and the exact convertible you booked waiting for you.
Model guaranteed · color based on availability.
@MiamiConvertibles · (305) 799-7892 · info@miamiconvertibles.com · miamiconvertibles.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent a car in Miami with a UK driving licence?
Yes. Bring your valid UK photocard driving licence and your original passport. Those are the documents we ask all international drivers for.
Do UK drivers need an International Driving Permit in Florida?
No, Florida suspended its International Driving Permit requirement for overseas visitors in 2013, and the Florida Highway Patrol said it would not take enforcement action based solely on a missing IDP. You must carry a valid licence from home; some drivers bring an IDP for extra peace of mind but is not needed.
Can I use a UK debit card to rent a convertible in Miami?
Most European guests can use a debit card with Miami Convertibles. Ask our team when you book and we'll confirm the right payment option for your card.
Can you turn right on red in Miami?
Yes. Florida allows a right turn on a red light after a complete stop, giving way to pedestrians and other traffic, unless a posted sign prohibits it.
How do tolls work when renting a car in Miami?
You pay the actual tolls you use plus a $5 per day service fee, capped at $15, billed automatically. Most guests prepay SunPass when they book so nothing is owed or deducted from the deposit afterward.
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