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.
Writing Down Details Before Requesting Quotes
Gathering your notes first makes any quote request quicker to answer. Begin with the dates: when you want the car and when you will return it, noting whether either could move if needed. Add the details of every driver, since the team will ask for these, and record where you want the car delivered or collected, plus the return arrangement if it differs. If your trip involves visiting people, list their addresses and a contact number for each, in case timings need confirming on the day. Note your preferred body type from the range available, whether that is an automatic, an estate or a people carrier, and any reason behind the preference. Finish with the questions you still have, perhaps about vehicle groups or timing, so nothing is forgotten when you get in touch.
Choosing Around Driver Preferences
When several people share the driving, their preferences deserve a place on your list. Ask each named driver whether they favour a manual or an automatic, and whether anyone finds a particular size of car awkward to manage. Note who will drive at which stage of the trip, such as the morning departure or the evening return, and whether any driver needs the car for a solo errand in between. Record whether left-handed controls, seat adjustments or other personal requirements matter to anyone, and tally the total passenger count plus bags so the group can discuss which vehicle type fits the plan. Where preferences conflict, for example one driver wanting an estate and another a compact, that discussion is best settled before enquiring so the team receives one clear request.
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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.