UK Car Hire Guides

Your guide to a smooth journey

Before setting off – your step by step guide

Step 1 - Check your vehicle carefully for damage - this will help to ensure there are no additional charges later.

Step 2 - Check your hire agreement - this includes a section for us to record the damage we have identified when we prepared your vehicle. You must ensure your Rental Agreement has all the damage listed.

Step 3 - Let us know any damage we have not recorded - if there is any damage on your vehicle that is not listed on your Rental Agreement you must inform us immediately, ideally in person, before you leave the branch. If you did not pick up your vehicle (or were not present when it was delivered) and find any unrecorded damage, please call First Call Assist on 0800 0280 999 - you will need to quote your Rental Agreement or vehicle registration number. Calling from a non-UK mobile? Call +44 (0) 116 247 3228 (See page 6 for details). This must be done within 24 hours of the vehicle being collected/delivered - failure to report damage will result in additional charges later.

Step 4 - Familiarise yourself with the vehicle make sure you know where the controls for essential instruments such as headlights, hazard warning lights and horn are situated. For further information check the Vehicle Instruction Card - this can be found on the vehicle's sun visor detailing basic operating instructions. Should you require further assistance, please contact your nearest hire branch. 

Step 5 - Plan your journey
If you've decided not to hire one of our sat navs, plan your journeys in advance. This will help you to avoid possible congestion, road works and reduce the chance of getting lost.

Important information

Deposit

You will be required to pay a deposit of £250. Any charges outstanding after the period of hire will be taken from the deposit

• If you pay by credit card these funds will be authorised which means that the amount is ‘marked' against the card but not actually charged to it. The authorisation therefore reduces the cardholder's available credit against their
  approved limit. The amount will not appear on your monthly statement.
• If you pay by debit card these funds will be charged and refunded after the hire period.
• If you pay by cheque this will be cashed and a refund cheque will be issued and sent to the
  hirer's address after the hire period.
• If you pay by cash, a cheque will be issued and sent to the hirer's address after the hire period.
  Please note, that for payments made by credit/debit card, it may take up to 10 working days for
  your bank to release/refund the deposit. All cheques will be sent within 10 working days of
  the end of the hire period.

Driving Abroad

We allow some of our vehicles to be taken overseas to a select number of European Countries. You will need to contact the hire branch at least 48 hours in advance to obtain permission and the required Vehicle On Hire Certification (VE103B). You will also need to take our Europdrive Cover, which is in addition to the hire cost. You are responsible for being aware and complying with the driving laws and regulations in other countries.

Fines, penalties & speed limits

The hirer of the vehicle is liable for any fines and penalty charges including parking fines, London Congestion Charge, bus lane penalties, speeding fines, clamping release and other traffic offences incurred whilst the vehicle is on hire to you. An administration charge will also apply for any fines incurred, see terms and conditions on our website.

Mobile phones

It is illegal in the UK to use a handheld mobile phone in any vehicle whilst driving.

smoking

You are not legally permitted to smoke in any of our vehicles. All our vehicles display a non-smoking sign on the windscreen. You will be charged a cleaning fee if you smoke within the vehicle.

Top tips on returning your vehicle

Step 1
Check your vehicle over for any damage. This excludes any ‘fair wear and tear'.

Q. What is normal wear and tear?
We do not regard the below as damage, but as ‘fair wear and tear', therefore it is not required to be recorded.

Paintwork, Body, Bumper and Rubbing Strips

• Marks and surface scratches of less than 25mm that do not penetrate the top coating and can be readily polished out. (Such scratches cannot be felt with a finger nail and will not be visible if water is rubbed across)
• Stone chips of up to 2mm without dent

Window Glass and Lamp Lenses

• Marks that can be readily removed
• Stone chips not exceeding 5mm diameter

Alloy Wheels, Trims and Tyres

• Marks and surface scratches that do not penetrate the top surface and can be readily polished out. (Such scratches cannot be felt with a finger nail and will not be visible if water is rubbed across)
• Even tyre wear appropriate to the mileage of the vehicle

Interior and luggage area

• Marks to trims, seats and carpets that can be readily cleaned or polished off

Step 2
Take care to remove all your belongings.