FAQs: We've Answered Your Rental Car Company Questions
- Chief Vehicle Rentals
- Jul 5, 2024
- 4 min read
Vehicle rental is an incredibly convenient service that is regularly utilised by many. Whether you need a car to drive your family around during your holiday or simply need to get from A to B for an important event, car rental is a great option when using your own vehicle isn’t an option for whatever reasons.
With that said, if you’ve never hired a vehicle before, then you might not be fully aware of how the process works. That’s why we’ve put together this article covering some of the most common frequently asked questions related to self-drive vehicle hire.
Self-Drive Hire FAQs
How old do I have to be?
Here at Chief Vehicle Rentals, our vehicles can be rented by individuals between the ages of 25 and 75.
As our terms and conditions state, ages outside of this bracket may be able to hire one of our vehicles, however only if approved by us as the Lessor, not as standard. The reason for this age bracket is because drivers under or over the minimum and maximum ages listed are perceived to be higher risk drivers.
Is there a daily mileage limit?
Not at all! We believe the convenience of rental vehicles shouldn’t be limited by mileage, which is why we include unlimited mileage as standard on the majority of our rental vehicles, such as our rental cars.
Whilst we reserve the right to charge a mileage cost, we will always be transparent about these costs if relevant and they will be specified in your hire agreement.
Does the car arrive with fuel?
Yes - our vehicles will contain a full tank of fuel ready for you to drive it as soon as you pick it up.
As with many other car rental companies, our fuel policy requires you to return your hire vehicle in the same condition with which it was in before rental - meaning it should also be returned with a full tank of fuel.
Fuel will be charged at £2.50 per litre to make up the difference of any vehicles that are returned without a full tank.
Will I need special car rental insurance?
No; we take great steps to ensure that all of our vehicles are fully insured at all times.
We provide you with third party cover as standard, although we also offer some optional extras that can be added to your hire cost, such as a collision damage waiver (CDW) or combined waiver.
Who is exempt from hiring one of your vehicles?
As well as those outside the age limit, there are a few other exemptions on who can hire and drive our vehicles. This includes:
Any person who has (within the preceding period of 11 years) been convicted of a driving offence under the influence of drugs or alcohol or dangerous driving
Anyone who has had an accident in the previous three years
Any person not holding a valid current licence, including where necessary or appropriate a HGV driving licence
It’s also important to note that only the person who is named as the Hirer on the rental agreement or as a nominated driver by the Hirer on the agreement is allowed to drive the hire vehicle.
What happens if I break down?
As part of our flexible service, we offer roadside assistance as standard when you hire one of our vehicles.
If the breakdown has occurred due to the wrong fuel being put in the vehicle or due to battery failure arising as a result of the lights/radio, however, then you will be required to pay the call out charge for the nominated recovery company and any repairs needed.
When can I pick up my rental vehicle?
We pride ourselves on offering a range of flexible hire arrangements to meet your requirements, which is why we offer flexible pick up and drop off times for your convenience. Alternatively, we can provide delivery and collection (depending on location) free of charge.
Simply discuss with us which will suit you best and we’ll do what we can to accommodate this.
What size vehicles do you offer?
We offer a vast range of vehicles to suit your needs, ranging from small to large. This includes:
Small cars
Medium cars
Large cars
7-seater minibus
9-seater minibus
17-seater minibus
Compact van
SWB van
LWB van
XLWB van
Luton van with tail lift
Tipper / flatbed truck
4 x 4 pick-up truck
7.5 lorry with tail lift
How much does car hire cost?
Our affordable car hire ranges in price depending on the size of vehicle you’re looking to hire. Our small cars start from £50 daily, medium cars from £60 daily and our large cars from £75 daily.
Can I hire one of your cars to take to Europe?
Yes! We are the only company in the local area who can provide EU travel on all our vehicles. Subject to a £250 payment, we can provide you with all the necessary documentation and driving kit to be safe and legal while driving abroad.
Why Choose Chief Vehicle Rentals?
Originally founded in 1994, we have 30 years of industry experience operating as a vehicle rental company. Since our humble beginnings, our company has expanded greatly, offering our services across both the South-West and the Midlands, as well as offering specialised services.
We are also proud to be a licensee of the United Rentals System, a network of the 500 highest quality independent vehicle rental companies in the UK, which allows us to offer much of the same benefits of the big-name national vehicle rentals companies you may know, but often at much lower costs.
The great thing about using a local vehicle rental company such as ourselves is that you get to benefit from friendly, 1:1 customer service. We always strive to go above and beyond for our customers, whatever your needs may be.
So, are you looking for vehicle hire in or around Devon or Birmingham? Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements. We won’t let you down.
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