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.
Preparing details for a work trip
Begin by writing the trip dates in full, including the start time on the first morning and the finish time on the last day. Note the driver's details, whether one person or several will be behind the wheel, and the address where the car should be delivered or collected. List the equipment travelling with you, such as samples, display materials, tools or presentation cases, and record anything that needs to arrive in a particular condition. Add the names and numbers of any clients, colleagues or venues you are visiting, so changes to the schedule can be communicated quickly. If the trip involves several stops, write them in order with the time expected at each. Passing this information to the team when you request a quote helps them suggest which vehicle group fits the work involved.
Sharing trip plans with companions
Who needs to know the plan, and when? Make a short summary covering the hire dates, the vehicle group requested, the collection or delivery point and the rough itinerary, then send it to everyone travelling with you. Note each companion's luggage and any personal items, including coats, laptops or sports equipment, so nothing is forgotten when the group gathers. Record a contact number for each person and agree how you will update one another if timings shift. If someone is joining partway through, note where and when, and ask them to confirm their own details. Keeping companions informed also helps you spot gaps in the plan, such as a missing pick-up point or an unclear drop-off, before the hire begins rather than during the trip.
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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.















