From Finding a Car to Picking Up the Keys

Booking a hire car starts with your travel plans. Choose where and when you need it, compare the available vehicles, and check the conditions before confirming. Here is how to work through the options with GoCar UK and get ready for collection.

1. Enter Your Location and Dates

Choose your pickup location and enter the dates and times for collection and return. Use times that fit your journey, allowing for baggage collection after a flight and enough time to return the car before your departure.

Enter the main driver’s age and driving experience accurately. Suppliers have different requirements, and these details can affect which cars are suitable and whether additional charges apply.

2. Narrow Down the Available Cars

Use the filters to find cars that match your preferences. Select automatic or manual transmission, set a price range, and refine the results by fuel type or vehicle year.

Think about what you will be carrying as well as how many people are travelling. Five seats do not necessarily mean enough luggage space for five large suitcases. If you are bringing a pushchair or fitting child seats, allow room for those too.

Gearbox: choose automatic, manual, or compare both.
Price: narrow the results to your preferred budget.
Fuel type: select from the options available for your dates.
Vehicle year: filter by year if you have a preference.
Driver requirements: check the age and licence-holding conditions.

Read the description of each offer. If a vehicle is listed as “or similar”, the pictured model represents a rental category rather than a guarantee of that exact car.

3. Check the Price and Rental Conditions

Open the details of the car you are considering and review the full rental cost. Check what is included and what would be charged separately. Offers with similar daily prices can have different deposits, mileage allowances, and protection terms.

The total rental price for your selected dates and times.
The security deposit and credit card requirements.
Included protection, insurance excess and exclusions.
The mileage allowance and any charge for additional distance.
The fuel or charging policy.
Cancellation and amendment conditions.
The collection address, opening hours and return arrangements.

GoCar UK helps you search and compare options. The rental company supplies the vehicle and sets the conditions for its use. Read the terms attached to your chosen offer before proceeding.

4. Choose Your Extras

If you plan to share the driving, select the additional driver option where available. Check the charge and make sure the second driver meets the supplier’s requirements. They must be authorised under the rental agreement before driving.

You can also select a child seat or booster through the available booking options. Choose the appropriate type for your child and check whether availability is confirmed immediately or requires confirmation from the supplier.

Review how each extra is charged and when payment is due. Some extras may be payable at collection rather than included in the online payment.

5. Complete Your Reservation

Follow the booking steps for your selected offer. Enter the main driver’s details as they appear on the required documents and check your email address carefully so you can receive the confirmation.

Credit card payment is available, subject to the selected offer’s conditions. Before paying, check the amount due now, any balance due at collection, and the deposit requirement. The card accepted for an online payment may not meet the supplier’s requirements for collecting the vehicle.

Review the location, dates, times, driver details, and extras once more before submitting the booking. Your reservation status will be shown in the booking process and confirmation.

6. Read Your Confirmation and Voucher

Once your reservation is confirmed, review the confirmation and any rental voucher provided. Save them on your phone and check whether the supplier requires a printed copy.

Pay particular attention to the collection instructions. Depending on the offer, you may need to visit a terminal desk, take a shuttle, or follow instructions for a meeting point.

Keep the booking reference and contact details accessible. If you have not received the expected confirmation, check your spam folder and contact the booking support service before travelling.

7. Prepare for Collection

Use your booking instructions as the checklist for what to bring. Requirements can depend on the supplier, your place of residence and where your driving licence was issued.

Your valid driving licence and any additional licence documents required.
The identification specified by the supplier.
Your booking confirmation or rental voucher.
An accepted credit card meeting the supplier’s cardholder requirements.
Enough available credit for the security deposit and any outstanding payment.
The required documents for an additional driver, if booked.

If your arrival time changes, contact the relevant service using the details in your confirmation. Check the supplier’s delay policy rather than assuming the vehicle will be held indefinitely.

8. Check the Car Before You Leave

At collection, review the rental agreement and ask about anything unclear. Confirm the return location, fuel policy, and assistance contact details.

Walk around the vehicle and check the interior. Make sure existing damage is recorded and take photographs of the car, including the wheels, fuel or charge level, and any visible marks.

Before driving away, adjust the seat and mirrors, locate the main controls and set up your navigation while parked. If you have booked a child seat or booster, check that the supplied seat is suitable and correctly fitted before setting off.

9. Return the Car as Agreed

Return the vehicle to the agreed location at the scheduled time, following the fuel or charging policy. Allow time for any inspection and keep relevant receipts and return documentation.

If you are returning outside office hours, follow the supplier’s key-drop instructions and take photographs of the vehicle’s condition and where it is parked. Contact the supplier as soon as possible if you expect to be late.

The release of a deposit depends on the rental company’s process and your card provider. Keep your rental paperwork until any deposit hold and outstanding charges have been resolved.

Need Help with Your Booking?

For changes, cancellations, or payment questions, use the booking support details in your confirmation. For collection, return, a breakdown, or an issue with the car during your rental, follow the rental company’s contact instructions.

Ready to choose your car? Search available vehicles with GoCar UK and compare the options for your trip.