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.
Weighing Up Driver Preferences
Note down what each named driver prefers before you ask for a quote. Some drivers are confident only in an automatic, while others are happy with either, and recording this for every person who might get behind the wheel helps you describe your needs accurately. Consider whether any driver has a strong preference regarding seating position or boot space for their belongings, and add these points to your list. If two or three people will share the driving across the dates, write out who is driving on which day, where each collection or handover happens, and how they can be contacted. Think also about where the car needs to be at the start and end of the hire, since this shapes the delivery or collection options you discuss. These notes give the team a clear picture, and any questions you still have can be raised when you enquire.
Preparing for a Work Trip
For a work trip, begin with the dates and the reason for travel, then build your notes around them. List every appointment, site visit or meeting, with addresses and the time you are expected, so you can see whether the hire period covers the whole schedule comfortably. Record who is travelling with you, along with their phone numbers, and note what they will each bring, whether that is a laptop bag, samples or a change of clothes. If any item is unusually shaped or bulky, measure it and write the dimensions down. Decide where the car should be collected from and returned to, and whether that changes on any day of the trip. When you contact the team, ask which vehicle groups they would consider for your group and luggage, and check what driver details they need from each person.
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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.















