27th July 2024
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Picking Up Your Vehicle | Vehicle Hire Guide

Whether you’re heading away or looking to temporarily replace your vehicle; rental cars have got you covered. Whatever you require; you can bet there’s a car somewhere that you can hire to suit your needs.

But, what happens after you find the ideal vehicle at a price which suits? If you’ve never hired a car before, you may be at a loss as to what you can expect from this process. It should go without saying, of course, that you should contact the company in question and reserve your chosen vehicle. If you turn up on the day, there’s a risk that you’ll have to settle for something else which costs more of doesn’t meet your requirements.

Once the day of your booking arrives, though, it’s also vital to consider the basics of what you can expect when picking up your rental.

What do you need to take with you to rent a car?

It’s no good turning up to a vehicle hire company empty-handed. If you want to drive away with your rental that day, you’re going to need a few things to hand to secure things. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that your driving licence is the most important thing of all. Trying to rent a car without this is like trying to leave the country without your passport; it just isn’t going to happen. Note that you can use either your photo-card or paper licence, but you will need a passport or other photo ID if using a paper-only driving identification. As you’ll see when you seek more details from companies like Henfield Hire, you should also provide proof of your address. Make sure, too, to pay on a card which is in your name.

Don’t forget the documentation

Once your licence and ID have been checked, it’s time to get to the documentation. Much like buying a car, renting a vehicle involves contracts and paperwork. The critical thing to remember here is that you should take your time. It’s easy to rush into signing something when there’s a professional standing over you. But, this is a contract like any other, and signing without reading could see you at risk of high costs down the line. To avoid that, you need to know precisely what you’re agreeing to, and that means reading every clause. That way, you can keep the vehicle in the required condition, or even walk away if you spot an unfair deal.

How long will all this take? 

With all this, you might assume that vehicle hire will take a long time, but it’s rarely the case. In the majority of instances, picking up a car you’ve booked in advance shouldn’t take much more than 10 minutes. Bear in mind that wait times do vary where busy rentals such as those in airports are concerned. But, with a standard car rental company, you should be able to walk in and drive out with your hire car in no time at all.