What Green Motion is and how to rent from them in Orlando

Green Motion is a car rental company that operates at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and other locations around the city. They rent standard vehicles — sedans, SUVs, compact cars — at rates that are often lower than the major chains like Enterprise or Hertz. You reserve a car online or by phone, pick it up at their lot, and return it when your trip ends. The company is based in Europe but has expanded to the United States, including Florida.

Green Motion does not own a terminal counter at MCO the way Hertz or Avis do. Instead, you take a shuttle from the airport to their off-airport location, complete your paperwork there, and get your car. This adds 10 to 15 minutes to the pickup process but often saves you money on the daily rate. If you are renting in Orlando but not flying in, you can also pick up at their downtown location or other satellite lots.

Key Takeaways

  • Green Motion operates off-airport in Orlando, which means lower rates than on-airport rental companies but a shuttle ride to reach the car.
  • You need a valid driver's license, a credit card in your name, and proof of insurance (your own policy or their coverage) to rent.
  • Reservation prices are usually quoted without taxes and airport fees, so your final bill will be higher than the advertised daily rate.
  • Damage to the car is your responsibility unless you purchase their collision damage waiver, which costs extra per day.
  • Returning the car late incurs hourly charges, and returning it with less than a full tank triggers a fuel surcharge.

What you need to bring to pick up your car

Bring your valid driver's license — a state ID, passport, or international license if you are from outside the United States. Green Motion will not rent to you without it, and the name on the license must match the name on your reservation.

You also need a credit card in your own name. Green Motion holds an authorization on the card for the rental amount plus a damage deposit, usually $200 to $500 depending on the vehicle. This is not a charge — it is a hold that releases when you return the car undamaged. If you have damage, they deduct the repair cost from the hold. Debit cards are not accepted for the deposit hold.

Bring proof of insurance. This can be your own auto insurance policy (a card, a screenshot, or a letter from your insurer showing your coverage dates) or a credit card that includes rental car coverage. If you have neither, Green Motion sells collision damage waiver insurance by the day, typically $15 to $25 per day depending on the car size. This covers damage to the rental car but not theft or loss of personal items inside the car.

How pricing works and what is included

Green Motion quotes a daily rate — for example, $35 per day for a compact car. That rate does not include taxes, airport fees, or optional insurance. When you complete your reservation online, the system shows you the total with taxes added. If you are picking up at the airport, an additional airport concession fee (set by the airport authority, not Green Motion) is added to your bill. This fee varies but is typically $5 to $10 per day.

The quoted rate includes unlimited mileage on most vehicles, so you do not pay extra for driving 500 miles instead of 50. It does not include fuel. You pick up the car with a full tank and must return it with a full tank, or you pay a per-gallon refill charge that is usually higher than the local gas station price. Some reservations offer a pre-purchase fuel option, where you pay for a full tank upfront at a set price; this is worth comparing to the refill charge if you know you will not return the car full.

Tolls, parking tickets, and traffic violations are your responsibility. If you incur a toll or ticket during the rental, Green Motion will bill you after you return the car, plus an administrative fee.

Damage, insurance, and what happens if something goes wrong

You are responsible for any damage to the car during your rental, including dents, scratches, broken windows, and mechanical problems caused by misuse. When you pick up the car, the Green Motion agent will walk around the vehicle and note any existing damage on the contract. Look at this list carefully and point out anything they missed — damage not listed on the pickup form will be charged to you at return.

If you do not purchase their collision damage waiver, you pay for repairs out of pocket. Repair costs can be hundreds of dollars for even minor damage. Your own auto insurance may cover rental car damage, so check your policy before you rent. Many credit cards also include rental car coverage if you charge the rental to that card — call your card issuer to confirm what is covered.

If you damage the car and have purchased Green Motion's waiver, you still pay a deductible, usually $500 to $1,000 depending on the vehicle and the damage type. The waiver covers the rest. Theft, loss of the car, and damage from accidents you cause are typically not covered by the waiver — only collision damage with a third party or stationary object.

Pickup and return at Orlando International Airport

When you arrive at MCO, follow signs for off-airport rental car companies or ask an airport information desk. Green Motion's shuttle stop is in the ground transportation area. The shuttle runs every 15 to 20 minutes and takes you to their lot about 5 miles from the airport. The ride is free.

At the Green Motion lot, you will complete a rental agreement, show your documents, and do a walk-around inspection of the car. This process usually takes 15 to 20 minutes. You then drive away. The entire process from landing to driving off the lot is typically 45 minutes to an hour if the shuttle is running on schedule.

To return the car, drive back to the same lot before your reservation end time. If you return late, you are charged an hourly rate — often $15 to $25 per hour — for each hour or partial hour past your return time. Return the car with a full tank of fuel. An agent will inspect it for damage, compare the condition to the pickup form, and process your return. If there is no damage and you returned the car on time with a full tank, you are done. Your credit card hold is released within a few business days.

Comparing Green Motion to other Orlando rental options

The major chains — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget — have counters at MCO and downtown locations. They are more convenient because you do not need a shuttle, but their daily rates are usually $10 to $20 higher than Green Motion. They also have more locations around Orlando if you need to return the car somewhere other than where you picked it up.

Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental platform where you rent directly from car owners. Rates vary widely, and you pick up and return at the owner's location, which may not be convenient to the airport. Insurance is included with Turo, which can save money if you do not have your own coverage.

Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are an option if you do not plan to drive much. For a week-long trip with multiple days of driving, a rental car is usually cheaper. For a short trip with one or two outings, ride-sharing may cost less and eliminates the risk of damage charges.

Common issues and how to avoid them

The most common complaint about Green Motion is surprise charges after return. This happens when customers do not return the car with a full tank, return it late, or damage goes unnoticed at pickup. To avoid this: fill the tank completely before returning, note the time you are returning and plan to arrive early, and photograph the car's condition at pickup if you are concerned about existing damage.

Another issue is the shuttle wait time at the airport. If you are in a hurry, the 15-minute shuttle ride and 20-minute check-in can feel long. If time is tight, a major rental chain with an on-airport counter may be worth the extra cost.

Some customers are surprised by the total cost when they see the final bill. The advertised rate does not include taxes, airport fees, or insurance, so a $35-per-day car can cost $60 to $75 per day once everything is added. Read the full quote before you confirm your reservation so there are no surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an international driver's license if I am visiting from another country?

No. A valid passport and driver's license from your home country are usually enough. Some countries' licenses are not recognized in the United States, so check with Green Motion before you book. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not required but can be helpful as a translation of your home license.

What if I need to extend my rental after I pick up the car?

Call Green Motion as soon as you know you need more time. If the car is available and you have not exceeded the mileage or damage limits, they can extend your reservation. You will be charged the daily rate for the extra days plus any applicable taxes and fees. Extending by phone is usually easier than trying to do it online after pickup.

Can I rent a car if I do not have a credit card?

No. Green Motion requires a credit card in your name to hold the damage deposit. Debit cards do not work for this purpose. If you do not have a credit card, you will need to use a different rental company or bring someone with a credit card to co-sign the rental agreement.

Is there a minimum age to rent from Green Motion in Orlando?

Green Motion rents to drivers 21 and older. Drivers under 25 may be charged a young driver fee, typically $15 to $25 per day. Check your reservation to see if this fee applies to you.

What happens if I get into an accident?

Call Green Motion when ready and report the accident. If anyone is injured, call 911 first. Do not admit fault or sign anything at the scene except the police report. Take photos of the damage, get the other driver's insurance information, and get the police report number. When you return the car, tell Green Motion about the accident and provide the police report number. They will assess the damage and determine what you owe based on whether you purchased their damage waiver.