5th Gear News:
Our suppliers are introducing New Models and New Fleet Groupings.

Choose from a new and extended range of vehicle groupings for car rental and van hire in UK. The changes have been made to reflect the enhancements our suppliers are making to their industry leading car hire fleet for 2007, giving you more choice and more flexibility. For group transport, people carriers, people movers, mini vans and minbus can be hired seating 7 people, 12 people and up to 17 people, including the driver.

With an improved range of manual, automatic, 4X4 (on road vehicles) and estate car models coming onto the fleet, we have realigned our car groupings according to engine size and type of vehicle (automatic, shift gear and manual) to provide you with a clear definition of the vehicle (car, van or minibus) you can expect to receive in each group.

For those important and special occasions, don't forget luxury mercedes self drive cars are available for hire.

These developments are in direct response to the feedback received from customers and will ensure you have access to a comprehensive fleet of cars through a clear set of groupings, reflecting the wide range of vehicles driving on the road today.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please remember we can guarantee a rental car group, but cannot specify or guarantee make or model of vehicle, View hire car guide.

To help you choose the correct vehicle for transporting goods, look at our van hire information page, or call for further assistance, many people renting a van to move home require advice on the size of van required.

Cheap rental prices, online booking and a superb service - enjoy driving in UK.

Car rentals at International and regional Airports and town centres throughout UK in England, Scotland and Wales.

If you are unsure about any part of your rental quotation, please email us or telephone our reservations team who are dedicated to providing an excellent service, and will be happy to help you. Rental companies featuring in the booking engine include, Arnold Clark, National car rentals, Europcar, Budget and esixt. You will know exactly who your reservation is being placed with as you proceed through the booking process.

Questions and Answers:

Is the car rental depot on-airport or not?
Yes - hire cars are on site at all major Airports in the UK and throughout the world.
Larger Airports such as London Heathrow have courtesy coaches which run at 15 minute intervals from each terminal direct to the car rental depot.

What is the shortest time in which I can book a vehicle before I travel?
For reservation in the UK we would ask that you give us at least 6 hours notice for most cars and 48hrs for 7 seaters etc. We may be able to operate down to 2 hours notice but this will require a telephone booking.

What if I fly the same day - Can I still rent a car?
Call us and we will email to you or to the branch you are collecting your vehicle from.

Driving Licences
All UK drivers must have held their full driving licence for at least 12 months before they are able to rent a car from any company in the UK.
UK driver's must present both parts of their driving licence (the photo card and the paper counterpart) when collecting a rental vehicle. Photocopies will not be accepted at any time.

What if I have points on my licence - can I hire a vehicle?
There are many different endorsable offences, see list below and call us with additional queries:
Examples:
2 speeding offences OK to hire a vehicle through us
3 offences with the same code (ie 3 x speeding) cannot hire a vehicle through us
DR10 drink driving offences - sorry NOT possible to hire a vehicle through us for at least 5 years
IN10 No insurance offences - sorry NOT possible to hire a vehicle through us for at least 5 years

I cannot find my driving licence?
In many locations in UK it is possible to have a DVLA licence check carried as long as the driver have 3 forms of id one of which must be photo id (ie Passport) these DVLA checks can only be operated when the DVLA office is open Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm and Sat 9am - 1pm. Sunday - not possible
Please check before booking whether the branch offers DVLA checking this service is chargeable and paid locally to the branch concerned usually about £5.00 All branches reserve the right to refuse

International Customers.
Visitors to the UK must have held a full driving licence for more than 12 months and the correct entitlement to drive the desired group of car. EEC licence are acceptable but all other licenses are only acceptable if the are written in legible English, . If your licence is not written in English, you must also have an international driving licence that is written in English to accompany your foreign licence.
For example American and Canadian licenses are acceptable without international permit a Chinese licence written in Chinese is not.
An international licence on its own will not be accepted - it must be accompanied by your foreign driving licence
WARNING:- PHOTOCOPIES OF LICENCES WILL NEVER BE ACCEPTABLE

What is the minimum/maximum age to rent a car online?
You must be between 21 and 65 at the time of rental pick-up
Please Note:- We do have some office which do not impose an upper age limited please telephone or email us for more info

Young Drivers and Restrictions
The laws states in the UK that a driver must be at least 21 years of age before he or she is eligible to rent any type vehicle. Different classes of vehicle are available for rent to different age groups.
Extras not included in our Online rental Quotation
Options that you select during the booking process that are charged locally include: (see below for full details of charges)
Additional driver
Young Driver surcharge
Child seats

How much is it for an additional driver to drive a hired car?
Additional driver charges range from being free for cars at most UK rental depots up to between £2.50 to £.3.50 per additional driver for each vehicle booked. This is paid locally upon collection of your vehicle

Young Driver Charges
All drivers under the age of 25 will incur additional 'Young Driver Fees'
There will be a young driver charge for 21 and 22 year olds and 'Young driver' charge for 23 and 24 included in your quotation.
Drivers under 25 are restricted to cars up to 1999cc and are not able to rent the "SA" or "P" large 7 seater "DE" intermediate estate "DA" intermediate auto groups or luxury, large estates or sports vehicles
Young drivers may rent
"A" small 3dr "B" small 5dr "C" compact 5dr "D" intermediate 5 dr
"U" medium Estate "CA" compact automatic "SP" small 7 seater

Can I make amendments to a rental booking?
Yes, telephone us or email quoting your reservation number - alongside oyur amendments and a new voucher will be emailed to you. There is not usually is charge for amendments

Payments
I do not have a credit card - can I hire a vehicle?
We readily accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express
Switch and Delta including Visa Delta is acceptable but maybe subject to a local office Equifax credit check. This check can only be operate during normal office hours - please ensure you make your booking within office hours if wishing to pay by switch or debit card
Solo and Visa Electron and Diners are not accepted at any rental branches, we do not accept cash or cheques under any circumstances

How do I find out how much deposit I have to leave with the car rental company?
Please be aware on the standard rental terms your credit card will have to be authorised for £500 (usually - this amount will be confirmed as you book) excess in addition to the rental charges.
If this is a problem for you may take the option for "reduced/zero excess" this may be found during the quote process. Zero excess waives the need to present your credit card for the £500 deposit (in some circumstances this will be more, but it will be clearly detailed) and brings your liability for damage from £500 to zero. (this does not cover wilful or intentional damage)

I require a child seat can I book one and how much does it cost?
Yes you can request a child seat at the appropriate stage of the booking process. Child seats are
subject to availability but in our experience the rental company is fantastic at supplying them. The charge will be detailed as you make your request.

Insurance Cover
As standard all rentals come with comprehensive insurance cover with a deductible of the first £500 of any damage caused. This means should you damage the rental vehicle you are responsible up to the first £500 of any damage.

Example: should you cause £300 of damage you will be charged the full £300 but if you caused £3000 damage then you part of the damage would be limited to £500.
Mastercover:-
Additional CDW (collision damage waiver) will be offered to you at the time of collection, this "Mastercover" is optional and if reduce you deposit and liability to the first £75 of any damage.
Mastercover is paid in addition to any rental quotation obtained from our website and is paid locally to the branch that you collect your car from. The charges may be different with each company but will be clearly outlined, typically they are
1 - 6 days £10.00 per day
7 days and over £5.50 per day


Zero excess
Hiring in UK and customers will be offered a "reduced/Zero excess" option . This option may be select for the following reasons.
To reduce the damage excess to zero
To remove the need to pay the £500 deposit.
To allow a third party to pay for another person to rent a car.
In all cases where zero excess is not taken the lead driver of the rental vehicle must be the credit card holder.
Warning: If you have not taken "zero excess" and you are not the credit card holder you will be refused the rental car as the main driver MUST be the credit card holder.

Can I take a vehicle abroad - How much does it cost?
Yes you can as long as you return it to UK. Select the "ONE WAY RENTAL" button, this will take you to our booking site where you may arrange overseas cover which will be an option on page 3 just below the "enter your age" option. The surcharge will be calculated into the rental charge automatically.

One Way Rentals
Yes you can as long as you return it to UK. Select the "ONE WAY RENTAL" button, this will take you to our booking site where you may arrange "One Way Rental" charge will be calculated into the rental charge automatically.

What if my flight is delayed, will the rental company wait for me and will I be charged extra?
We always ask for an incoming flight number in order that we may track your flight in case of delay. Your rental vehicle will be kept for you if you flight is delayed. Collection office will only wait 1 hour after their scheduled closing time for delayed flights. Arrangements can usually be made for someone to meet you after hours but this will incur an extra charge paid locally at collection. If the office is not contacted they will not wait.

How do I make a cancellation?
To cancel a reservation you must Ring or email us quoting your booking your reservation ref no - a cancellation number will be issued to you. If you do not obtain a cancellation number you may forfeit your upfront part payment.

CAR RENTAL CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations should be made with us, and will be confirmed with a cancellation number. All cancellations will result in a full refund of the booking charge with the following exceptions - Cancellation within 72 hours of the booking will incur a £10 surcharge. Cancellation within 24 hours of the booking will incur a £25 surcharge. If you do not show up for your car and do not have a cancellation number issued by us, there will be no refund whatsoever.


Vehicles can be hired throughout England, Scotland and Wales, where there is no rental branch, hire cars can be delivered to many UK postal address. For example in Shropshire we offer home delivery in Shrewsbury, saving you the hassle of getting to the rental branch! Aberdeenshire hire cars in Aberdeen and at Aberdeen Airport.
Car hire Avon in Bath, Bristol and Bristol Airport.
Hire a car in Bedfordshire in Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes.
Car hire Berkshire in Bracknell, Newbury, Reading and Slough.
Car hire Cambridgeshire in Cambridge and Peterborough
Channel Islands car hire at Guernsey Airport and cars at Jersey Airport
Car rental Cheshire in Chester, Stockport and Warrington
Car hire Cornwall in Falmouth, Newquay and at Newquay Airport and Truro.
Hire a car at East Midlands Airport.
Car hire in Devon in Exeter at Exeter Airport and Plymouth rental branches.
Car rental in Dorset at Bournemouth Airport and in Poole.
Car hire Durham at Darlington.
Sussex hire cars at Brighton and Eastbourne
Car rental Edinburgh and vans at Edinburgh Airport
Car hire Essex in Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend Airport.
Car hire Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and Glasgow International Airport
Car rental Hampshire in Andover, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Portsmouth Harbour, Southampton and at Southampton Airport.
Car hire Humberside Airport
Hire cars at Inverness and Inverness Airport.
Car hire Blackpool Airport
Car hire London with vehicles for rent at Barking, Basildon, Bow, London City Airport Chelsea Croydon Finchley Fulham, Gatwick Airport, London Heathrow Airport, Kennington and Kings Cross. Car rentals at London Luton Airport, Marble Arch, London Stansted Airport, London Vauxhall, Wembley and Wimbledon. London van hire depots require bookings to be made in advance for weekend rentals - try not to leave booking to the last minute.
Car hire Manchester, Salford and Manchester Airport
Car hire Liverpool, Norwich Airport and Liverpool Airport
Car rental Yorkshire - Harrogate and York
Car hire Northern Ireland at Belfast, Belfast City Airport and Belfast International Airport
Car hire Cardiff and Cardiff Airport
Car hire Sheffield and Stirling
Car rental Newcastle Airport, Newcastle Gateshead and Newcastle Upon Tyne
West Midlands hire cars in Birmingham and Birmingham Airport
Car hire Bradford, Leeds and Leeds Bradford Airport arrivals terminal pick up.

Simply book online, hire and drive with 5th Gear car rental.