The key points at a glance

The minimum hire age is 21. Drivers aged 21 to 25 pay a young driver surcharge of £15 to £25 plus VAT per day, set by the supplier.
Bring your photo driving licence, a DVLA check code and proof of address to the rental desk.
A deposit is held on your card at pickup and released when the car returns undamaged. The amount varies by supplier and is shown on your e-voucher.
Insurance (collision damage waiver, theft protection and third party liability) is included as standard. The excess is typically £500 to £1,500.
Cars go out with a full tank of fuel. Return the car full to avoid refuelling charges.

Who we are

Cars 4 Rental arranges car hire. Our office is at Henry House, 275 New North Road, London, N1 7AA. You can reach us at bookings@cars4rental.co.uk, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Who can hire a car

All hirers must be over 21 years of age and hold a full driving licence. Most rental suppliers accept drivers aged 21 to 70. If you are under 25 or over 70, the supplier may apply an additional fee or restrictions, so it is worth checking with us before you book.

Drivers aged 21 to 25 typically pay a young driver surcharge of £15 to £25 plus VAT per day, depending on the supplier. Some larger vehicle categories carry a higher minimum age. Any surcharge due is shown before you pay.

You will need to have held your full driving licence for over 1 year. Some suppliers require 24 months for certain vehicles. The terms of your chosen supplier are shown before you confirm the booking.

Documents you need to hire

Bring the following to the rental desk:

Both parts of your valid driving licence, the photo card and the paper counterpart if you have one. Your licence must be valid and in your own name.
A DVLA check code, which the rental desk uses to verify your licence details and any endorsements. Generate yours at gov.uk/view-driving-licence. Check codes are valid for 21 days, so create it a few days before pickup.
Proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement dated within the last 3 months.
A valid passport. Some suppliers also ask for a second form of ID.

If your licence was issued outside the UK, bring a valid passport and check whether you also need an International Driving Permit. Overseas hirers should confirm requirements with us before booking, as they vary by supplier and licence country.

Payment and deposits

You pay for the booking when you reserve. At pickup, the supplier holds a deposit on your credit or debit card for the duration of the hire. The deposit is released when the car comes back undamaged and with a full tank. The exact amount depends on the supplier and the vehicle, and some hold more than others, so check your rental e-voucher before you collect. Some suppliers only accept a credit card for the deposit. Your e-voucher tells you which cards are accepted before you travel.

Insurance and excess

Every rental arranged through us includes collision damage waiver, theft protection and third party liability insurance as standard.

If the car is damaged or stolen, the excess is the first part of the repair or replacement cost that you pay yourself. Excesses are typically £500 to £1,500, depending on the supplier and the vehicle.

Suppliers offer optional excess reduction products at the rental desk if you would prefer a lower excess or none at all. Taking one is entirely your choice and can be arranged when you collect the car. Our FAQ page explains how excesses work in more detail.

Fuel policy

Cars go out with a full tank of fuel and should come back the same way. Keep a receipt from a petrol station close to the return location in case the supplier asks for proof. If the car comes back short of fuel, the supplier will refuel it and charge you for it, usually at a rate above the pump price. Some suppliers use different policies on certain bookings, so the fuel terms shown on your e-voucher are the ones that count.

Mileage

Most rentals include unlimited mileage. Some suppliers cap it, particularly on longer hires or certain vehicle groups. Your e-voucher shows your mileage allowance and the charge per extra mile, which is typically around 30p plus tax, paid locally at the end of the hire.

Cancellation and changes

Free cancellation windows vary between bookings and suppliers. The exact window for your booking is shown before you pay and repeated in your confirmation email. Cancel inside the window and you pay nothing. If you need to change your booking dates, times or vehicle, contact us as early as possible and we will check what the supplier allows without a charge.

Collecting your car

Walk around the car with the supplier’s agent before you drive away and make sure every mark and scuff is noted on the rental agreement. Take photos of anything you are not sure about. Damage that is not noted at pickup can be charged to you when the car comes back, so this five minute check is worth doing properly.

Getting help during your hire

The rental supplier’s contact details, including their breakdown and accident line, are on your booking confirmation and e-voucher. For anything about the booking itself, email us at bookings@cars4rental.co.uk or through our contact page.

Complaints

If something has gone wrong, email us at bookings@cars4rental.co.uk with your booking reference. We take complaints seriously and aim to respond within five working days.

Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. The version published on this page applies to bookings made after the update date shown at the top.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.

Terms and Conditions.