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Car rental agent
Car rental assistant, vehicle reservation agent
Car rental agents hire out vehicles to businesses and the public.
Average salary (a year)
£18000
Starter
£28000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
40.0 to 42.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
search for courses|/find-a-course
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
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
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
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
Digital Skills Level
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Other Requirements
Foreign language skills could be useful if you want to work at airports, ports or tourist destinations.
Related Restrictions
have a full driving licence
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
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 & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
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.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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