The Rules Of Hiring A Car

When people think about hiring a rental car for their latest holiday/vacation they often don't consider what they need to look for in a potential car, and also car hire company. It is an important decision as renting a car for long periods can be quite expensive, not to mention once you have the car you are stuck with it for the duration of your stay.

For some people they simply notice a cars looks and decide on the most "flashy" option available, this can be a big miss-take. Many factors need to be taken into account when deciding. We have listed a few below for your benefit:

1. The space available in a potential car is a very important factor. If you have a large family or even a lot of luggage you may want to consider an estate or even people carrier as it will provide enough room for even the most demanding of travellers. People carriers are often thought of as only useful for large family's but recently they have proved popular with all kinds of travellers, particularly surfers who who find there is room for all their gear. Another advantage of estates and people carriers is the roof rack that is often attached as standard. This can be very useful as you have instantly doubled your available space, making activities like camping much more accessible.

2. Fuel economy is something that people think about these days much more than they used to. Its worth considering that while a more powerful engine may be a more attractive option initially, it could end up adding considerable costs to your rental in the long run. Another consideration is the size of the vehicle, as bigger and heavier estates and people carriers are going to consume fuel at a much higher rate. For customers who want to keep running costs down it may be much more sensible to rent a smaller car such as the Ford Ka, or even a Smart car, as they have a very high MPG.

3. One factor that people often forget to think about is how easy a potential rental car is to drive. There are many stories of customers picking a car only to have to return it a few days later as they have found it to difficult to drive. This is often a problem with elderly drivers as they could be in a car they are not used to or even a car with a different transmission type. The problem is many customers are not thinking about the practicality of a rental vehicle when they make a decision.

A good option is to ask the dealer for advice on car "drive-a-bility" beforehand. All dealers will be happy to help and will know the pros and cons of each vehicle, making it easier for you to make an informed choice.

Once you have made a decision on a car it is important to bring along a few important documents to the dealer in order to hire it. Most important will be a valid drivers licence. This doesn't have to be from the country you are in, but it must be a country recognised by the dealer. You will need to show any endorsements such as speeding tickets that have been applied to your licence and may have to pay a premium if this is the case.

Some dealers will also require proof of your address, this can take the form of household bills or any other documentation that has your home address on it. If you are in a foreign country they may also ask to hold your passport while you rent your vehicle. When you do take delivery of your hire vehicle it is essential that you point out any marks or dents to the dealer and record them yourself. There have been cases of dealers attempting to charge customers for existing damage already on the car.

As you can see, there is quite alot to think about when renting a car, especially if its for the first time. However if you follow these simple rules we are sure you will have an amazing holiday experience where-ever you are. Happy motoring!

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