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.
Planning an arrival-day itinerary
What will your first few hours after collection actually involve? Writing out an arrival-day plan before you request a quote helps you spot details worth confirming early. Note the time you expect to pick the car up, the stops you intend to make and roughly how long each might take. If anyone is meeting you, record their contact number and the agreed meeting arrangement. Think about whether your luggage list fits the boot space you have in mind, and jot down any oversized items such as golf clubs or pushchairs with their approximate dimensions. It is also worth listing questions you want answered before booking, such as collection arrangements or how a change of dates would be handled. A written outline keeps the whole day easier to discuss.
Getting organised for a work trip
If the car is for business use, a short written brief can make the enquiry more precise. Start with the dates and times you need cover, including any early starts or late finishes, and note who will be driving. List the passengers travelling with you, if any, along with their baggage and any equipment such as sample cases or presentation gear, recording sizes where items are unusually shaped. Sketch the itinerary in order: meetings, site visits, hotel check-ins and any stops between them. Where a recipient or client is expecting you, keep their phone number to hand in case plans shift. Finally, prepare the questions you want the team to answer, such as which vehicle group suits your party and whether delivery to your chosen point is possible.
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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.