Matching a hire car to your passengers and luggage
Tell the team how many people will travel and how many cases, buggies or bulky bags you expect. Seating and boot space are separate questions. Say whether you need an automatic or are happy with a manual, and mention any child seat request early so it can be checked before you are quoted. Include details for every driver who may take the wheel.
Finding a car to suit the trip
Start with the journey and pick the car to match it. Smaller cars are suited to city driving and short stays, automatics make local driving easier, estates and SUVs give more room for luggage, and people carriers are a better choice for families or small groups. The range available includes the Fiat 500, VW Golf, Ford Focus Estate, Ford Focus Automatic and Hyundai i10 Automatic, subject to dates, driver details and availability. The precise make, model, transmission, seating, payload and licence position are confirmed when you are quoted, so treat the vehicles listed as a guide to the kind of hire on offer rather than a guaranteed reservation of a particular model.
Noting Driver Preferences Before You Enquire
Begin by writing down the details that shape any car request: the start and end dates, who will be driving, and where you would like the vehicle delivered or collected. Alongside these, note any preferences the drivers themselves hold. Some prefer an automatic gearbox; others want a particular seating position, extra room in the boot or a vehicle they have driven before. If two people will share the driving, record both sets of preferences so nothing is overlooked. Where you need the car also matters, since delivery points and collection arrangements can differ. Once this list is complete, the remaining questions for the team concern which vehicle groups are open on your dates and how the price is worked out.
Planning the Return Leg in Advance
It is worth giving the return journey the same attention as the outward trip. Note the date and approximate time you expect to finish with the car, and whether that might shift if plans change. Decide whether the vehicle will be returned to the same point it was collected from or somewhere different, and record any contact details for a person receiving it if someone else is handling the handover. Think about the luggage or equipment coming back with you, since a return load can differ from what you set out with. If the timing is uncertain, ask the team early how flexible the end date could be and what the options are for extending, so you have answers before committing.
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What to confirm on the phone
Before you confirm the hire, check the key details: vehicle availability, driver requirements, mileage, insurance, delivery or collection arrangements and any extras you have asked for, along with driver age, licence history, the deposit, the insurance excess and any travel abroad. A clear request gives the date, the length of hire, the rough route, the delivery or pickup address, the expected passengers or load, and any particular requirements that might affect which vehicle is suitable.