Car rental agent

Career path and progression

You could become a team supervisor, warranty administrator or a hire manager, with further training.

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

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
• excellent verbal communication skills
• administration skills
• the ability to sell products and services
• active listening skills
• maths knowledge
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

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.

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Business - Car rental agents sell products and services, manage business fleet accounts, and support ongoing client relationships. Understanding sales techniques, customer management, and how businesses operate is central to this role.
• Mathematics - Car rental agents calculate rental rates, process payments, and work out insurance costs and mileage charges. They need to be confident with numbers when explaining pricing to customers and managing financial transactions.
• English Language - Car rental agents spend much of their day communicating with customers – explaining lease agreements, answering questions about vehicle availability, and gathering feedback. Clear spoken and written communication is essential for handling bookings and resolving issues.

Also relevant

• Modern Foreign Languages - Car rental agents who work at airports, ports, or tourist destinations regularly deal with international customers. Being able to communicate in another language can make a real difference when helping visitors who may not speak fluent English.
• Law - Car rental agents explain lease agreements and insurance terms to customers, which involves understanding contractual obligations and consumer rights. A basic grasp of legal concepts helps them handle disputes and ensure agreements are properly understood.
• Geography - Car rental agents often advise customers on routes, local areas, and vehicle delivery locations. Understanding places, transport networks, and how to read maps is useful when coordinating vehicle drop-offs and pick-ups across different sites.