Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book?
If you require the car for a special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday, wedding etc then we would advise you to book as far in advance as possible to make sure the car you require is available to you.
We can take late bookings a few working days before the hire date, giving us time to organise the paperwork.
What do I have to pay when?
We ask for a 35% deposit to secure your booking with the balance due 8 weeks before the hire date. If the hire date falls within the 8 weeks the full amount is due on booking.
Gift Vouchers must be paid for in full on booking.
How old do I have to be to drive the cars?
Between the ages of 25 and 70 although ages outside this range can be referred to our underwriters.
Are there any special requirements for the insurance cover?
Each hire comes with comprehensive insurance cover for up to 2 drivers. Additional drivers can be added at a cost of £25.
Drivers must produce their paper counterpart driving licence, which they must have held for a minimum of 2 years. 3 points with no more than 1 fault accident within the last 3 years is normally acceptable. Other circumstances must be disclosed when enquiring or booking, and are subject to acceptance at the discretion of our underwriters.
Where do I collect the car from?
From our base near Stowmarket in Suffolk. We can deliver by special arrangement, there will be an additional cost for this, call our office for price. We will collect you from our local railway station, Stowmarket, free of charge by prior arrangement. We can also make arrangements to pick you up or deliver a car to Stansted airport.
We have safe parking for your own car whilst you are out with our hire car.
How is the hire period calculated?
Our hire period works in blocks of 24 hours, so for instance for a 1 day booking if you collect the car at 10am it is due back at 10am the following day.
Our minimum hire period for a weekend is usually 3 days, Friday to Monday although we may accept shorter length weekend bookings at quieter times of the year at our discretion.
Does the driver have to know about the hire or can I keep it a surprise?
Provided you can fill in accurately and honestly the recipients details and obtain a photocopy of their driving license they can be kept unaware of the surprise until they come to collect the car. They must bring the original of their driving license with them on the day of hire.
We love these kind of hires and take great pains to plan it with you and keep it a secret.
What if I am not sure what car or length of hire to purchase as a present ?
You can purchase a Gift Voucher, which is valid for 1 year, for a specific car and hire period. Gift Vouchers must be paid for in full when booking.
Alternatively you can purchase a Gift Voucher or an amount from £50 for the recipient to use against the car and period of his/her choice.
We are flexible with the Gift Vouchers and should they not be happy with the car you choose (very unlikely!!) it can be transferred to an alternative car and any difference in price be settled by you or the recipient.
Are you able to provide any extras or accommodation?
We can book accommodation for you in hand-picked independent hotels and B&Bs in the area, and provide you with our unique ‘Route Book’ giving suggested routes to drive with lots of places of interest to see on the way.
We also supply scrumptious, freshly prepared hampers, containing produce the majority of which is grown or reared organically just a few miles from our base. The hamper includes all crockery, cutlery, glasses, serviettes etc. We also supply 2 folding chairs and a waterproof backed picnic rug with all hamper orders to ensure your full enjoyment of your lunch.
We are happy to tailor-make you booking, so any other extras you require we are happy to research and arrange. We offer a complete bespoke service so call our office and talk to Ela or Phil to discuss your individual ideas and wishes.
Are all you cars self-drive hire cars?
No, we also have a selection of beautiful cars available with experienced chauffeurs in full livery. These are ideal for weddings, starting off on your honeymoon, anniversary dinners, etc.
The chauffeur driven cars are only available in the area local to our office, ie Ipswich, Colchester, Norwich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge etc.
What if I do not have a UK driving license?
We can accept EU and US drivers’ licenses or international driving permits. Please contact our office with details.
What if the car breaks down whilst out on hire?
All of our cars are regularly serviced, maintained and repaired by experienced personnel. However, in the event of a problem we provide a 24 hour telephone help-line and a full recovery service provided by the AA.
Do you have any professional backing or membership?
The Grand Touring Club is proud to be a founder member of the Historic and Classic Car Hirers Guild (HCHG). The guild was formed, with strict membership criteria, to promote good practice and the highest standards of customer care.