Car Hire Fair Oak and Horton Heath

Name Your Drivers Before You Pick a Car

The wrong time to discover a licence problem is at the counter. Say upfront who will drive, mention any licence issued abroad or carrying points, and ask how extra drivers affect the terms. Each operator sets its own rules, so request their full document checklist early rather than guessing.

Count the Whole Day, Not the Driving

Multi-stop days rarely fail on the road; they fail against the clock. Sketch the schedule end to end — reaching the depot, paperwork, the inspection, every stop, then the return — and add a margin at each stage. Say whether you need the car for hours, a day, or longer.

Put Cover Questions in Your First Message

Costs and liability get decided at the counter, the one place where nothing can change. Lead instead with questions: what insurance is included, how large the excess stands, whether it can be reduced, what the mileage allowance covers. Treat windscreens and personal belongings as excluded until told otherwise.

Handle the Handover at Both Ends

Damage disputes begin with rushed inspections. Walk round the car yourself, note every mark, photograph anything you would not want to pay for later, and confirm it is all recorded before leaving. Ask how fuel and keys should be returned, and whether out-of-hours collection is possible.

Common Questions