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Car rental agent

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Career outlook for car rental agent

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£18,000

Experienced

£28,000

Currently employed in Scotland

4,200

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would hire out cars to people for work and holidays.

You’d handle all the administration needed to rent vehicles to businesses and the public. You’d explain the arrangements and costs to the customers and you’d help with their questions or complaints.

You would:

  • Answer customer enquiries about what vehicles are available and what they cost to hire
  • Take bookings
  • Explain the terms of the rental or leasing agreements
  • Check a customer’s driving licence and address
  • Fill in the paperwork with the customers
  • Take payments
  • Show customers to their vehicle and point out any bumps, scrapes or special features
  • Check the mileage and inspect the cars for damage when a customer brings them back
  • Respond to customer complaints

You might work for a long time with one business which regularly rents cars or vans from you. In some jobs you may deal with international clients.

Working conditions

Hours

In most full-time jobs you would work 35 to 40 hours a week between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday. You may need to work shifts if you work for one of the larger car hire companies that provide a 24-hour service at major airports.

Environment

You would be based in an office, but may spend some of your time moving vehicles that have been returned. Many employers will provide a uniform.

Travel

You may take people for test drives and will need a full driving licence to do this.

UK employment status

Full-time

68%

Part-time

25%

Self employed

8%

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  • Positive attitude
  • Cooperating
  • Verbal communication
  • Empathising
  • Respecting
  • Attention to detail
  • Managing resources

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Getting in

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Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications required to enter this job, however some firms ask for subjects at National 4 (SCQF level 4).

Useful subjects

  • English
  • Maths
  • Administration
  • ICT
  • Business subjects

You will also need

A full driving licence. Some employers prefer at least one year's driving experience.

Helpful to have

Qualifications and experience that demonstrate customer care and retail experience such as Skills for Work Retailing (SCQF level 5) or Scottish Vocational Qualifications in Customer Services (SCQF level 2/3) may also be helpful.