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.
Picking a suitable car
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.
Choosing Around Driver Preferences
Begin by noting the details that shape any car choice: who will be behind the wheel, the dates you need cover, and the places the car will be picked up from and returned to. If more than one person expects to drive, write down each driver's details in advance so nothing is missed when the quote is prepared. Think too about preferences worth recording - whether an automatic gearbox matters, whether the driver favours a higher seating position, or whether a compact model suits the parking arrangements at either end of the trip. Any special requests, such as child seats or additional drivers, should be listed at the same time. Once these points are written down, the remaining questions for the team revolve around which vehicle groups are open on your dates and what the delivery or collection arrangements would involve.
Planning a Return Journey
Where a car is needed for a round trip, the timing at both ends deserves a little thought before you enquire. Note the departure date and the date the vehicle can be handed back, allowing for any chance the return leg might slip by a few hours. Record the pickup point for the outbound journey and the place you would like the car returned to, in case these differ. It also helps to jot down the main stops planned along the way, since an itinerary gives the team a fuller picture of the hire period. If someone at the destination expects the car to arrive, or needs notifying when it does, keep their contact details with your notes. Questions still worth asking include whether the return can be arranged outside standard hours and what happens if plans change mid-journey.
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Last checks before booking
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.