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.
Noting Driver Preferences Before You Book
Write down who will drive and what each named driver prefers, whether that is an automatic gearbox, a higher seating position or a particular size of car they feel confident handling. If one driver holds details that matter, such as needing an automatic after an injury or preferring a compact car for narrow lanes, record the reason alongside the name. Note the dates each driver expects to be behind the wheel, in case that affects the vehicle group discussed. Once the preferences are on paper, you can compare them with the options available, from city cars and automatics to estates, SUVs, executive saloons and people carriers, and raise any conflicts when you ask for a quote.
Travelling With Children and Their Bags
If children are travelling, start a separate list for their gear: pushchairs, booster seats, travel cots, changing bags and any toys that must come along. Note the folded dimensions of the pushchair and the type of child seat each child uses, since these details are worth sharing when a vehicle group is being confirmed. Record how many adults and children will be in the car on the busiest day of the trip, and whether the luggage total changes if grandparents or friends join for part of it. You might also jot down questions still open, such as whether seats can be adjusted and who to contact about fitting a child seat, so nothing is left to chance at collection.
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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.















