Checklist for a first-time hire: All you need to know
So you’ve finally taken the time off work and decided to rent a car for that special trip. If this is your first time hiring a vehicle, you might want to do some planning beforehand. Renting is really simple, however there are a few things you need to consider – and for your convenience, we have prepared this neat checklist. Grab a pen and start checking!
1. Plan and prepare
You would be surprised at how much planning can go into renting a car. Firstly, you need to consider your needs carefully. Think about who you will be travelling with, where are you driving to and how long you will be driving for. If you are taking your family somewhere, a tiny sports car might not be the best choice – even though it looks fabulous! If you are on a tight budget, you might want to research the rental companies and their fees. Look out for a company that combines satisfactory price, with fair terms and great service.
2. Choose a car
Nowadays you can easily research any car online. Again, think about your needs and choose a car that can satisfy them. You can even go and test-drive some cars so that you can see what suits you best. If it’s your first time hiring, it’s probably a good idea to stick to a familiar car, or a car you have driven before, mainly because you don’t want to feel awkward in a completely new setup. Of course, this depends on your driving experience and confidence!
3. Book a car
This step is optional as it only applies if you have chosen a car beforehand. If you already know which car you want, the best thing to do is to call the company and book it early in order to avoid disappointment. By booking in advance, you eliminate the risk of not ending up with the car you want the most. We strongly advise that you book your first hire as this will save you lots of hassle!
4. Have your documents ready
You’d be surprised how many people think they can rent a car with just money. There are other documents you need to bring along. To rent a vehicle with Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental, here’s what you need.
UK licence holders must bring:
- A copy of your rental agreement email
- A valid credit or debit card (to leave an imprint for any additional costs)
- Valid driving licence
- Two further forms of identification (either two bills or one bill and another form of photographic identification, one must include proof of address)*
- DVLA access code, which you can find here
EU licence holders not residing in the UK must bring:
- A domestic driving licence
- Either a passport or ID card
EU licence holders residing in the UK must bring:
- Domestic licence
- Passport or ID card
- Proof of UK address (either two bills or one bill and another form of photographic identification)
Drivers from outside the EU:
- Valid domestic driving licence with an English translation
- An international driving permit (if English translation is not available)
- Valid passport
If you are not using Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental, please be aware that some companies do background checks so you might be asked to provide insurance documents, too. Your best bet is to confirm the documents you need with the company before you show up. Also, don’t forget to inspect the contract and terms and conditions.
5.Pick up your car
If you have decided on a car already, you can just go into the rental company and see if they have it. If you have pre-booked a car, which is the better option, all you need to do is to show up at the arranged time and pick up your car. Easy peasy!
Don't forget to check our guide to renting, explaining your customer journey in detail.