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.
How the right vehicle is confirmed
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.
Putting return-journey details in order
One decision worth settling early is whether your outbound and return legs fall on the same day or across several. Once that is fixed, note the pickup and drop-off times for each leg, along with any window in which the car must be back. If the return involves a different driver or a different handover point, record those details too so the hire team can check whether the arrangement works within their booking terms. It is also worth deciding who will be the main contact on the day, in case timings shift. Listing these specifics before requesting a quote gives the team a clear picture and reduces back-and-forth later, leaving you to focus on the journey itself.
Matching the car to the driver
If more than one person may drive, it helps to compare preferences before settling on a vehicle group. Some drivers prefer an automatic for stop-start routes, while others are happy with a manual that suits their usual style. Consider whether the driver is used to larger vehicles, whether an estate or SUV would feel familiar, and whether an executive saloon or people carrier matches the tone of the trip. Write down each driver's details and any vehicle preferences, then pass the list to the team when asking about availability. That way, questions about which groups suit each driver can be raised and answered at the quoting stage rather than on collection day.
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Things to check 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.















