These FAQs are based on common customer questions. if you have a question that doesn’t appear here, please call 0191 406 3527 . We aim to be fair and reasonable and these questions explain our policies.
Where are you based?
We are based in Gosforth, a suburb of Newcastle upon Tyne. We can arrange transfers from local airports and rail connections. For security reasons we only provide precise location details when you book.
Mileage
The mileage included in the standard 9-6 or 24 hour hire is 150 miles. See under our cars for each cars rates per extra mile.
Parking for Your Car
You are welcome to leave your car with us during the period of the hire. Obviously at your own risk. We can provide on street parking permits.
Insurance
Fully comprehensive insurance is included with the hire and covers one person to drive. Additional drivers can be covered for a small surcharge of £25 per day.
Eligibility for insurance is as follows:
•Drivers aged between 25 and 79. Sorry, NO exceptions for under 25.
•No more than 6 points on their driving licence. We will need to refer the following unspent conviction codes:
•BA, CD, DD, DR, TT, UT, XX
•Held a driving licence for not less than 3 years Licences allowed:
•UK, EU, USA, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, EEA Only. (Incl Swiss)
•We will need to refer more than 2 claims (accidents/loss) in the last 3 years.
•Not subject to any mental or physical defect or infirmanity or suffered from fits or major medical complaint.
Northumbria Classic Car Hire will, at their sole discretion, approach the insurers to discuss an individual case should they fail to meet all of the criteria above.
Can you deliver the cars?
As part of the booking process you can purchase the option to either/or deliver/collect the vehicle. This is enabled for up to 50 miles. If you wish to have to have the car delivered/collected, and the distance is further than 50 miles (this can be checked on Google Maps by creating a route from your destination to Gosforth), then please contact us, and we may be able to help.
Can I add extra drivers?
Our hire package includes the price of one named driver. You can add extra drivers as part of the booking.
Are the cars easy to drive?
Our cars are generally very easy to drive – if you are familiar with manual or automatic gearbox cars then you will settle into any of them quickly. They each have particular characteristics and these will be fully explained to you when you collect the car.
Who can hire the cars?
Our cars can be hired by virtually anyone aged 25 to 75 inclusive. To drive one of our cars you need to have held a driving licence for at least 2 years and have no more than 6 points within the last 5 years.
What luggage space is provided?
Luggage space in our cars varies greatly. On the web page for each car we generally show a picture of the boot and describe the size of the luggage space.
Are the cars reliable?
We are totally committed to hiring very high quality classic cars. We invest constantly in the servicing, maintenance and improvement of our vehicles. Our breakdown rate is extremely low.
What happens if the car breaks down?
Our classic cars are covered by UK wide breakdown service. If the breakdown company cannot get you going they will return you either to our site or to your accommodation or provide a replacement modern hire car to enable you to continue your journey. We will try to provide you with an alternative car, but this is not guaranteed and is not a condition of your hire.
We maintain our cars to high standards but they are old cars and the risk of breakdown is higher than it will be with a modern car. This principle is a condition of hire. In the event of breakdown before or during hire where the car cannot be repaired we will provide an alternative car where possible or offer a credit voucher for future use equivalent to the lost hire time. No refunds are applicable in the event of a breakdown before or during hire.
What fuel do the cars use?
We request you refuel our vehicles with 97-99 octane. This is generally called super unleaded. This is always the higher tier, most expensive unleaded fuel, if there are two choices at a petrol station.