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.
Matching the car to driver preferences
Note down what the main driver actually wants from the car before you enquire. Some drivers prefer an automatic; others want a manual, a higher driving position or a particular size they have driven before. Write the preference clearly, alongside who will be driving and whether any additional drivers need adding. Think about practical matters too: will the driver be navigating unfamiliar roads, parking in tight spots, or covering a long stretch in one go? None of this dictates the vehicle, but it gives the team useful context when confirming a group. If more than one person will take the wheel, list each driver's details and note any differences in what they are comfortable with. Presenting preferences as requests rather than requirements leaves room for the team to suggest options you may not have considered.
Planning the return leg in advance
Where will the car need to be, and at what time, when the trip ends? Answering that early avoids a scramble later. Write down the planned return date and hour, then note whether it is fixed or could shift, and whether the car is being collected from the same place it was delivered or somewhere different. If someone else is receiving or handing back the vehicle, record their name and contact number so arrangements can be confirmed with them directly. Consider the passengers and bags travelling on the return too, since numbers sometimes differ from the outward leg. Questions about the destination itself, such as access or opening times, belong with the venue or person at that end. Sharing the return details with your original enquiry keeps the whole hire, both legs included, in one clear conversation from the start.
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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.