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.
What to Write Down for a Work Trip
Your first task is to note the dates the car is required, including any chance the trip could run longer than planned, and to record the driver's name, licence details and daytime contact number. Write where the car should be delivered or collected, and add the addresses of each appointment in the order they occur. Count the passengers travelling with you and list the bags, cases or equipment each person expects to bring, noting anything unusually shaped or long. If you are meeting a client or collecting goods, record the recipient's name and phone number at that end. Keeping these details in one place makes it easier to answer questions when you ask for a quote.
Questions to Settle Before Requesting a Quote
Before contacting the team, look over your notes and mark anything still undecided. You might ask whether the vehicle group you have in mind suits the number of passengers and bags you listed, or whether a different group would be worth considering for a longer trip. Check whether the delivery point and time you noted can be accommodated, and ask what happens if your return slips beyond the planned hour. If a colleague may drive part of the way, note their details and ask whether that affects the arrangement. Writing these questions down beforehand means the conversation covers everything in one go rather than leaving loose ends.
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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.