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Car rental agent

Alternative titles for this job include Car rental assistant, vehicle reservation agent

Car rental agents hire out vehicles to businesses and the public.

Average salary (a year)

£18,000 Starter

to

£28,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a car rental agent

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

College

You could gain some of the skills and knowledge for this role through a college course like:

  • Level 1 Award in Developing Customer Service Skills
  • Level 2 award in Customer Service

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or fewer GCSEs at grades 3 to 1 (D to G), or equivalent, for a level 1 course
  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a customer service practitioner intermediate apprenticeship.

This would give you the chance to get a customer service qualification alongside learning to do the job in the workplace.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

You could apply directly to work as a car rental agent. Employers may ask for GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in maths and English.

Experience in customer service, office administration or sales work could give you an advantage.

More Information

Career tips

Having the right personality and good communication skills can be more important than formal qualifications.

Further information

You can find out more about working as a car rental agent through Autocity.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • administration skills
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • active listening skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

  • have a full driving licence

Foreign language skills could be useful if you want to work at airports, ports or tourist destinations.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

  • answer questions from customers about prices and which vehicles are available
  • take bookings and explain the terms of rental agreements
  • complete paperwork, update computer records and take payments
  • record a car's condition and make notes of any existing bumps or scratches
  • explain and demonstrate any special features
  • check mileage and inspect for damage on returned vehicles
  • do customer 'call-backs' to check their satisfaction with the service
  • provide ongoing service and sales support to regular business accounts

Working environment

You could work in an office, at an airport or at a port.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could become a supervisor or a manager.

With experience in business leasing accounts, you could become an account manager or move into fleet management.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Parts Advisor

  • Wage: £9,750.00 Annually
  • Location: SANDIACRE, NOTTINGHAM

Customer Service Apprentice

  • Wage: £10,725.00 Annually
  • Location: BEESTON, NOTTINGHAM
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

LEVEL 1 NCFE CUSTOMER SERVICE

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 11 September 2023
  • Location: Leeds

BTEC Certificate in Principles of Customer Service

  • Provider: BRACKNELL FOREST BOROUGH COUNCIL
  • Start date: 24 October 2022
  • Location: Bracknell
Find courses near you

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