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.
Getting organised for a work trip
Before requesting a quote, it helps to write down the exact dates and times you need the car, including whether an early start or late return is involved. Note who will be driving, since driver details form part of the confirmation process. If the trip involves visiting clients or sites, list each stop in the order you expect to make it, along with any contact names and phone numbers at each end. Think about what you will carry: a laptop bag, samples, tools or exhibition equipment all have dimensions worth recording. If someone at the destination needs to be notified of your arrival, note their details too. Questions you might ask include whether the vehicle group you prefer is available on those dates and what collection or delivery arrangements are possible.
Questions worth asking before you book
A short list of prepared questions can make the quote process smoother. You could ask which vehicle groups suit your passenger count and luggage, and whether an estate or people carrier would be more appropriate for the items you plan to bring. If your schedule might shift, ask how changes to dates would be handled before booking. Where the car needs to be delivered rather than collected, confirm the address and any timing window in advance. It is also worth noting whether another driver might share the trip, so their details can be included from the outset. Finally, if you are unsure whether a particular model suits your plans, describe the trip and let the team suggest a group. Keeping these notes together means you can compare responses and decide with a clearer picture.
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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.