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.
Putting an Arrival-Day Itinerary on Paper
What should your first few hours after collecting the car actually look like? Writing a simple arrival-day itinerary gives you something to check against while the booking is being arranged. Note the handover time, the address or collection point, and every stop you expect to make that day, along with rough timings for each. If people are meeting you, record their names and contact numbers rather than relying on memory. Add the details of anyone receiving goods or waiting at a property, including a phone number and an agreed arrival window. Where a stop involves a business, note its opening hours and whether an appointment is needed. Keeping this list in one place means you can share it with the hire team when confirming dates, and you will have a clear record to adjust if plans shift before the hire begins.
Getting Ready for a Work Trip
What should your first few hours after collecting the car actually look like? Writing a simple arrival-day itinerary gives you something to check against while the booking is being arranged. Note the handover time, the address or collection point, and every stop you expect to make that day, along with rough timings for each. If people are meeting you, record their names and contact numbers rather than relying on memory. Add the details of anyone receiving goods or waiting at a property, including a phone number and an agreed arrival window. Where a stop involves a business, check its opening hours and appointment requirements with the business directly, and note the answers on your list. Keeping this record in one place means you can share it with the hire team when confirming dates, and adjust if plans shift before the hire begins.
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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.