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.
Finding a car to suit the trip
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.
Shaping an arrival-day itinerary
What does a workable arrival-day plan look like? It can be as simple as a timed list, beginning with collection or delivery of the car and ending with the last appointment of the day. Write each stop with its expected duration and the name of anyone you are meeting, then leave gaps for delays rather than filling every hour. If the day involves several drivers or passengers, note who needs to be where and when, including any school pickups or meeting times. Keep the addresses and phone numbers together in one place, and decide in advance who holds the keys during stops. When you enquire, mention the shape of the day, since the hours you need may influence which dates and vehicle arrangements suit you best.
Sharing the plan with everyone travelling
Who else should hold the trip details? Anyone affected by them, in short. Send your companions the hire dates, the collection or delivery arrangement and a contact number for the day, so plans do not depend on one person's memory. If several people share the driving, note which of them expects to be behind the wheel at each stage, and check that everyone knows where the car will be parked overnight. Sharing the itinerary also invites corrections: a passenger may spot a clash or suggest a different meeting point you had not considered. Keep a note of who has received which version, and update them if timings move. For a quote, the dates, driver details and location you pass on should match what you tell the hire team.
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What to confirm on the phone
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.















