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.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
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.
What to write down before a work trip
Begin by putting the basics on paper before you contact anyone. Note the dates you need the car, including the exact start and finish times if the trip sits either side of a weekend. Write down the driver details for everyone who might get behind the wheel, along with any preferences, such as whether an automatic matters more than a particular body style. Add the address where the car should be delivered or collected from. If the work trip involves visiting a client or site, record the name and phone number of the person expecting you, so you have a contact if arrival arrangements change. Finally, list the questions you still want answered, such as which vehicle group suits your needs and what the total price includes, so nothing is forgotten when you ask for a quote.
Comparing car sizes for everyday use
Choosing between vehicle groups is easier once you compare what you actually carry week to week. A compact city car or automatic might suit solo commuting, while an estate could appeal if you regularly move boxes of samples or paperwork between offices. An SUV offers a different seating position, and an executive saloon might fit the days when you are meeting important contacts. People carriers come into their own when colleagues travel together. For each option, note how many passengers you expect, how many bags they bring and roughly how large those bags are, since a set of golf clubs and a suitcase take up different amounts of room. Keep a short list of these figures handy when you enquire, and ask the team any open questions about which group fits your dates.
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Things to check 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.