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.
Details Worth Writing Down First
Start by putting a few basics on paper before you make any enquiry. Note the exact dates you want the car, including the pickup time and the return time, since even a few hours can affect which options are quoted. List every driver who might get behind the wheel, along with how long each person has held a licence, and decide where you would prefer to collect the vehicle or have it delivered. If you have a preference for an automatic over a manual, or a particular body style such as an estate or people carrier, write that down too. Keeping these notes in one place means you can answer the team's questions quickly and compare any quotes you receive on a like-for-like basis.
Planning Around a Work Trip
If the hire supports a business journey, a short written plan will help you brief colleagues and brief the hire team. Record the meetings or site visits booked for each day, the addresses involved and any contact names at each stop, so someone can reach the right person if plans change. Think about whether passengers or samples and equipment will travel with you, and jot down rough dimensions for anything bulky. Consider who should be the nominated contact for the booking itself, and whether an invoice or booking reference needs to go to a particular department. Ask the team about collection and return timing, and confirm what happens if the trip runs late. Questions asked now tend to surface useful answers before the car is on the road.
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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.