Key things to consider when hiring a vehicle

Hiring a car or van is a hassle free way to get hold of the vehicle you need for a specific journey in the most cost effective way. There are a few things you need to consider before you hire to make sure you get the vehicle you need and your experience is as smooth as possible.

Get the right vehicle for the job

Car and van rental experts, Rent Direct, say that the key to getting the right vehicle is thinking through the job you need to do, particularly when you’re looking at getting a van. A van like the Ford Transit might be best for shifting equipment or moving exhibition materials for an event. A Luton Box with a tail-lift would be most suitable for a house-moving job. Or for a road-trip with friends or family you could opt for a minibus. Think about the largest item you need to shift to select the size of vehicle required.

If you’re hiring a car, be sure to allow room for any luggage, prams or child seats.

Read the T&Cs

Even if you are a regular vehicle hirer, don’t assume that every company has the same terms and conditions. Don’t forget to read through the agreement carefully to make sure you know exactly what you’re getting and what you’re not.

Remember that you’re picking a type not a model

When you get a quote for hire, bear in mind that this will usually be based on the type of car rather than a specific make and model. A ‘medium 5 door car’ doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get the Peugeot pictured on the website. You may get the Peugeot, or you may get a good quality equivalent.

Allow extra time before you leave

You’ll need to allow an extra ten minutes before you hit the road in your hire car to familiarise yourself with it. Make any adjustments to the seat, mirrors and wheel before you leave. Ensure that you know how to use the windscreen wipers and lights (including full-beam) before setting off.

Keep contact details to hand

Put the car hire company’s contact details somewhere that you’ll be able to locate them easily in a hurry. You could save them straight into your mobile phone so you have them to hand wherever you are.

Transfer handy items over

When switching from your usual car to a rental vehicle, think about any handy items you might want to take with you. If you need a satnav cradle or phone charger for the journey, make sure you remember to take them along. When you’re in a rush to get going these are the kind of things that can get left behind and cause you a headache later on.

Return the car on time

Allocate time, when you return your hire car, for it to be checked over. You may need to allow a few minutes for this so build it into your travel plans to avoid needing to rush for onward travel connections. If you’re hiring a van, you might also need to leave time to unload it before returning the keys.

Make sure you’re absolutely clear on when and where you need to return the car to. If it’s an airport site, remember that you will need time to find the drop-off area and then get to terminal buildings.