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.
Working around driver preferences
Begin by noting what the main driver actually wants from the car. Some drivers only feel at ease in an automatic, others prefer a manual, and a few have strong views on seat height or the size of car they are happy to handle. Write down who will be driving, their licence details and how confident each person is behind the wheel, since a mix of drivers may point towards one vehicle group over another. Note the dates each driver needs the car and whether any of them are adding themselves part-way through the trip. When you ask for a quote, pass these preferences to the team alongside the dates and collection or delivery point, and ask which groups could suit your list. If a preference is firm rather than casual, say so in the enquiry so nothing is assumed.
Travelling with children and bags
If children are coming along, the details to record start with how many there are, their ages and whether they need child seats or boosters. Note how many bags each family is bringing, including pushchairs, travel cots and car seats, and write down roughly how large the cases are, since a boot that suits weekend bags may not suit a fortnight's luggage. List the dates, the delivery or collection point, and a contact number for whoever is coordinating the trip. When you enquire, share the passenger count, the children's ages and the full luggage list, then ask any questions still outstanding, such as whether seats can be fitted at the collection point or whether you should bring your own. Keep the list handy in case numbers change before you book.
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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.















