You could start by doing a customer service practitioner intermediate apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, for an intermediate apprenticeship
Car rental agent
Alternative titles for this job include Car rental assistant, vehicle reservation agent
Car rental agents hire out and lease vehicles to businesses and the public.
Average salary (a year)
£14,000 Starter
to£25,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
40 to 42 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts
How to become a car rental agent
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Apprenticeship
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
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- the ability to work well with others
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- to enjoy working with other people
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- customer service skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- active listening skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a full UK or EU driving licence, held for at least 12 months
Foreign language skills could be useful if you want to work at airports, ports or tourist destinations.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your day-to-day tasks may include:
- dealing with customer enquiries about the availability and cost of vehicles
- taking bookings and explaining the terms of rental or leasing agreements
- completing paperwork with the customer and taking payments
- showing customers to their vehicle and pointing out any bumps, scrapes or special features
- checking mileage and inspecting for damage when vehicles are returned
- providing ongoing service and sales support, if you deal with regular business leasing accounts
Working environment
You could work in an office or at an airport building.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into a supervisory or management post.
With experience in business leasing accounts, you could become an account manager, or move into fleet management.
Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Bright Associates Customer Service Apprentice REF: LS610
- Wage : £146.25 Weekly
- Location: Manchester M43 6AX
Customer Service/Business Administration Apprenticeship
- Wage : £146.25 Weekly
- Location: NE3 3XT
Courses In England
Level 1 Certificate in Customer Service
- Provider: CHESHIRE WEST AND CHESTER COUNCIL
- Start date: 16 July 2019
- Location: Chester
Certificate in Customer Service and Professional Development (QCF)
- Provider: THE SKILLS PARTNERSHIP LIMITED
- Start date: 10 June 2019
- Location: London
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