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.
Note Your Driver Preferences First
Gather the driver details before anything else. Note whether anyone holds an automatic-only licence, whether the main driver prefers a manual or automatic gearbox, and if additional drivers will be sharing the car. Write down the dates you need the vehicle, including the exact start and finish, and where you would like it delivered or collected from. If the trip involves a specific destination, record the address and any contact there. Sharing these preferences with the team helps them confirm the right vehicle group, whether that is a compact city car, an estate or an executive saloon. Keeping this information in one place also means you can answer follow-up questions quickly if the team needs more detail before quoting.
Think Through the Return Leg
A return journey deserves the same planning as the outward trip. Note the date and time you expect to hand the car back, and whether that might change if your plans run late. If the vehicle is being collected rather than returned to a set point, record where it should be left and who to contact on the day. Consider the passenger list for both legs, as numbers sometimes differ, and note the luggage you will bring home, which could include extra purchases. Ask the team about delivery or collection options for the return when you book, and confirm the driver details once more if anyone different is bringing the car back.
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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.















