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.
Noting What Matters to the Driver
Begin by writing down the details that shape the booking: the dates you need the car, the named drivers, and whether anyone strongly prefers an automatic or a manual gearbox. Note who will be the main driver and whether any additional drivers need to be added, since the team will ask for these details before confirming the vehicle group. It is also worth recording preferences such as a raised seating position, generous boot access or a saloon style for a special occasion. If a particular feature matters to you, list it as a question rather than assuming it comes as standard. Sharing this written summary with the team lets them match your request to the groups on offer and confirm delivery or collection arrangements and the price before you commit.
Travelling with Children and Bags
If children are travelling, list each passenger by age alongside the number of child seats or boosters you plan to bring, and note whether you will fit them yourself. Write down the bags too: how many suitcases, pushchairs or car seats, and their approximate sizes, since a people carrier and a compact model hold very different amounts. Sketch the itinerary next, including pick-up and drop-off times and any stops you already know about. Where someone else will receive the car or meet you at the end of the hire, record their name and contact number. Questions worth asking with your quote include which vehicle groups suit your passenger and bag list, and whether your preferred collection point can be arranged on your dates.
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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.