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.
Weighing up everyday car sizes
If you are deciding between a compact city car, an estate and a people carrier, think first about the busiest day of your booking rather than an average one. Suppose the car mainly shuttles one driver to work but also carries four relatives and their suitcases on the final weekend: that peak day is what should shape your enquiry. List the maximum number of passengers expected at any one time, note the bags that come with them and flag anything long or bulky, such as sports equipment or a folded pushchair. Ask the team how the different groups compare on seating and luggage space, and mention whether an automatic is essential for any named driver. Recording these details before requesting a quote keeps the conversation focused on the right vehicle group.
Sketching the first day of hire
An arrival-day itinerary is simply a written outline of what happens between collecting the car and the end of that first day. Start with the handover itself: note whether you have chosen delivery to an address or collection from the team, and the time slot agreed. Then list each commitment in order, with addresses, expected durations and the people involved at each stop. Where someone is meeting you, keep their contact details alongside the entry so you can update them if the day runs ahead of or behind schedule. If the itinerary is still loose, mark the uncertain parts clearly and ask the team which vehicle groups remain workable if your plans tighten or extend beyond the original dates.
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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.