If a new sales representative or other employee who will be visiting clients is joining your company, and you do not yet know how the probationary period will turn out, it is wiser to rent a car than to tie yourself to a multi-year lease. A rental gives you a vehicle straight away, without a long-term commitment, and if the collaboration works out, you can move on to a longer-term solution. If it does not, you simply return the vehicle and are not left with a contract that nobody is going to use.
Why a Multi-Year Lease Does Not Suit a Probationary Period
A traditional lease assumes that you will need the car consistently for several years. With a new team member, that is far from certain. The very purpose of a probationary period is for both sides to check that the collaboration works.
Typical risks of leasing at this stage:
- A commitment that outlives the employee. If the sales representative leaves after a few weeks, the contract remains and you have to deal with what to do with the car.
- A lengthy process. Approval and ordering of a vehicle can take longer than your new colleague is willing to wait before starting to visit customers.
- Misjudged needs. You do not know how many kilometres the person will actually drive, whether they will travel around Prague or across the whole country, or what size of vehicle will suit them.
Yet a sales representative needs a car from the very first week. First meetings, client presentations and regional visits cannot be postponed.
What Renting Offers in This Situation
A car rental company allows you to start quickly and decide later. At JJ Rent Car, you can rent a vehicle for as little as one day, so you can first see how your new colleague gets on with it. If it turns out that the car is needed for longer, you can switch to long-term rental, which is available from two months.
Practical benefits:
- Flexibility. You can adjust the rental period according to how the probationary period is going.
- Insurance included with the vehicle. All vehicles come with compulsory third-party liability insurance and comprehensive insurance; in the event of an accident, the client pays an excess depending on the type of insurance.
- Delivery within Prague. By arrangement, by phone or e-mail, we will deliver the vehicle to you, so your new colleague does not have to lose time on the first day travelling to the rental office.
- Predictable mileage limits. The daily limit decreases with the length of the rental. For example, for rentals of 30 days or more it is 100 km/day, for 15–29 days it is 150 km/day, and for 6–14 days it is 200 km/day.
Which Vehicle to Choose for a Sales Representative
It depends on how the person will be driving and whom they will be carrying.
- Many kilometres, luggage and samples: The Škoda Octavia Combi with a 1.6 TDI diesel engine and manual transmission is a practical choice for regular business trips. You can also find out more about the car in the article Škoda Octavia Combi for rent.
- Image and longer journeys: The Škoda Superb Liftback with automatic transmission and navigation is a good fit if the sales representative drives clients around or regularly travels longer distances.
- Mainly city driving and short routes: The Škoda Fabia is compact, easy to park and air conditioning is standard. Please note, however, that it has no navigation.
If the person will mainly be driving around Prague, consider a smaller car. If their schedule is packed with meetings across the whole country, a larger car with automatic transmission and navigation makes sense and will make the journey more pleasant.
How to Proceed Step by Step
- Clarify your needs. How many days a week the sales representative will be driving, how many passengers they will carry, and how much luggage or material they need.
- Start with a shorter rental. For the first few weeks, it is enough to rent the vehicle for a shorter period and observe how it is used.
- Monitor actual mileage. After the first few weeks you will have concrete data and can decide whether you need a longer rental.
- Decide after the probationary period. If the collaboration continues, choose long-term rental or operating lease. If not, you return the vehicle.
Companies that rent cars on a regular basis may also find the overview in the article car rental in Prague for companies with a business ID (IČO) helpful.
When a Longer Commitment Makes Sense
Once the probationary period is over and you know your colleague is staying, it makes sense to consider a longer-term solution. Operating lease and long-term rental are available from two months and assume a mileage of 3,000 km per month. You can find details on the services page. We will be happy to specify the exact terms and an offer for your company via the contact page.
It is also important to know that trips abroad are possible only by prior arrangement and only to EU countries; assistance service is mandatory for foreign trips. If the sales representative will also be travelling abroad, please arrange this in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an employee need in order to collect the car?
A valid driving licence, proof of identity and a minimum age of 21. The amount of the deposit is stated in the details of the specific vehicle.
Can we return the car early if the probationary period does not work out?
You set the length of the rental when making the reservation, and the conditions are described in the rental terms and conditions. If you expect that your plans may change, please arrange this with us in advance by phone or e-mail.
Is renting also suitable for an ordinary employee, not just a sales representative?
Yes. Anyone who needs a company car for a limited period or on a trial basis can use the same approach. Only the choice of vehicle and the length of the rental differ.
How many kilometres can I drive per day?
The limit depends on the length of the rental: 300 km/day for a one-day rental, 250 km/day for 2–5 days, 200 km/day for 6–14 days, 150 km/day for 15–29 days and 100 km/day for 30 days or more.
Choose a Car and Book
A new person in your company should not have to wait for a car, and you should not have to sign a multi-year contract for them. Choose a vehicle from our fleet and confirm everything on the /rezervace page. If you have any questions, you can contact us at +420 703 149 146 or at [email protected].
