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 Early On
Begin by writing down who will drive and what they prefer. Some drivers favour an automatic; others want a particular size, whether a compact car for nipping about or an estate for extra room. Note the names and details of every planned driver, the dates they will be behind the wheel and any preferences regarding vehicle group. If the trip involves a work commitment or a family visit, sketch the itinerary, including stops and timings, and record where the car should be delivered or collected. Where a colleague or relative needs to be informed of plans, keep their contact details handy. When asking for a quote, it is worth raising questions about which groups are available on the chosen dates, whether delivery or collection suits the schedule, and whether any driver details still need confirming before the booking goes ahead.
Preparing for a Work Trip by Car
A work trip brings its own checklist, and much of it can be drafted before any vehicle is chosen. Start with the dates and destinations on the itinerary, then list the passengers, if any, and the bags or equipment each will carry, noting approximate dimensions for anything bulky such as display stands or sample cases. Record the delivery point for the car and the contact details of anyone expecting you at each stop, since meeting arrangements sometimes shift. If the trip spans several days, note overnight locations and whether the schedule leaves room for flexibility. Questions to put to the team when requesting a quote include the availability of estates or SUVs on the required dates, options for collection, and whether anything in the driver details or itinerary needs further clarification before the hire is arranged.
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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.















