Car Hire Loggerheads

Start With the Calendar and Work Outwards

Fix your collection and return times first, because everything else follows from them. A visitor hoping to drop the car back a few hours later than planned, perhaps after a long lunch or an unplanned detour, should raise that flexibility early. Some vehicles may already be reserved for the following hirer, so a return window is worth agreeing in advance.

Let the Luggage Have the Final Say on Size

A compact car suits couples travelling light, but four people with suitcases, walking boots and a cool bag need more room than a boot photo suggests. Picture the actual loading moment: will the pushchair fit without dismantling it? Choosing one size up often costs little and removes the daily irritation of squeezing bags around passengers' feet.

Ask the Cover and Cost Questions Whilst Terms Can Still Move

Once you are standing at the counter, negotiation is effectively over. Before that point, ask plainly what happens if you extend the hire mid-trip, how extra hours are charged, and whether a second driver adds cost. A family deciding to keep the car an extra day, for instance, will want to know the rate in advance rather than discover it afterwards.

Have the Main Driver's Particulars Ready From the Word Go

The person who signs for the car needs their licence, a second form of identification and the card used to pay. Digging through emails in a busy car park helps nobody. If a partner might drive on the longer return journey, gather their details too, since adding a driver before collection is far simpler than trying to arrange it later.

Common Questions