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.
Noting driver preferences before you enquire
Before requesting a quote, write down what matters to the person who will actually be behind the wheel. Some drivers strongly prefer an automatic; others want a particular size because they are used to it, or a vehicle with enough seats for occasional extra passengers. Note the driver's details as the team will need them, alongside the dates the car is required and whether the same person will drive throughout. If two named drivers share the journey, record both sets of details. Think about where the car needs to be collected from or delivered to, and whether that differs at the start and the end of the hire. These notes give the team a clear picture and reduce the chance of back-and-forth later.
Questions worth asking for a quote
Once your notes are ready, it helps to draft the questions you want answered before committing. You might ask which vehicle groups match your stated dates and preferences, what the delivery and collection options are for your address, and how the team handles a change of dates after booking. If the driver's circumstances are unusual, for instance a licence issued abroad or a recent address change, ask what details they need rather than assuming. Other open questions include whether a preferred vehicle group can be held while you decide, and what information the driver should bring at handover. Keeping the list with your enquiry means the quote you receive addresses everything in one exchange rather than piecemeal.
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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.















