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.
Working Around Driver Preferences
A useful first step is to note down what the main driver wants from the car, as this shapes the vehicle group you ask about. Some drivers will only consider an automatic, while others are happy with a manual and care more about boot space or seating height. Record whether the driver prefers a compact car for tighter roads or something larger for a longer trip, and note the fuel type they favour if they have a view. Where a second driver might take the wheel, list their details and preferences too, since the booking needs to cover everyone who will drive. Add the dates you have in mind and where the car should be collected or delivered. Any remaining questions, such as whether a preferred style is offered on those dates, can go to the team with your quote request.
Travelling With Children and Bags
If the journey involves children, there are particular details worth listing before you finalise the vehicle choice. Note how many children are travelling, their ages, and whether you need to bring your own child seats or boosters, including how many and what type. Record the number of suitcases, pushchairs, travel cots or other bags, along with rough sizes for anything bulky, so the team can advise which vehicle groups might suit the whole party and its luggage. Think about the itinerary too: the departure time, any stops planned along the way, and where you are heading each day if the hire spans several days. Sharing these notes with the team, together with your dates and driver details, helps turn the open questions into a clear quote.
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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.















