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.
Building an arrival-day itinerary
What should the first day of your hire actually look like? Answering that before you book gives you a clearer brief. Write down the arrival time of your flight or train, where you're heading first, and roughly how long you'd like the car on day one. If someone is meeting you, note their name and number, and decide whether you'd collect the car or prefer it delivered to an address. Listing the evening's commitments helps too, since a day of meetings differs from a day of family visits. Ask the team whether your preferred collection time is workable and which vehicle group suits the bags you're bringing. The schedule itself remains yours to draft and adjust.
Preparing for a work trip by car
A business hire usually comes with fixed appointments, so it pays to note them all in one place. List each meeting with its address, start time and a contact name, then count the colleagues travelling with you and any equipment they'll carry, such as display boards or sample cases. Record the dimensions of the bulkiest item, since an estate or SUV may be worth requesting depending on what you're transporting. Decide whether an automatic suits the named drivers, and whether an executive saloon fits the impression you want for client visits. Questions for the team might cover delivery to your workplace or collection near a station. Every arrangement on this list stays open for you to confirm.
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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.