Keep the essentials together
Carry your driving licence, rental documents and agreed insurance information where you can find them. Keep important contacts and a copy of collection and return instructions accessible offline. Avoid leaving sensitive documents on display in a parked vehicle.
Prepare for changing weather
Pack layers, rain protection and comfortable footwear appropriate to your activities. A change of clothes that is easy to reach can be more useful than an extra outfit buried at the bottom of a large bag.
Give navigation a backup
Download the route before travelling and take a charging cable that suits your device. Do not rely on a mobile signal being available at every stop. Check current road information when you have a connection and avoid unfamiliar detours that conflict with your rental agreement.
Organise the cabin
Keep drinking water, essential medication and modest snacks within reach of passengers. Secure everything before setting off. If equipment is bulky, discuss it before selecting the vehicle rather than assuming it will fit across a spare seat.
Leave some room
You may collect wet gear, groceries or an extra bag during the trip. Packing to the absolute limit on day one makes every later stop harder. Ask about luggage capacity and be ready to choose a different class or reduce what you carry.