South African car hire service, First Car Rental, has launched the country’s first Car Hire Self-Service at major branches across the country.

The service will allow travellers to complete an initial renter profile at any of the participating branches. Thereafter they can book online, go straight to a self-service touchscreen, choose the vehicle the traveller wants, and sign for it on screen – all done within 30 seconds.

The service will be available for international visitors to SA as well, however they will need to go through the same initial process of completing a profile at a participating outlet. Thereafter, however, much time will be saved in the car rental process, on any return visits to SA.

Self-Service has been piloted at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport over the last four months, with select methods of payment, and is now ready for all market segments. It is available to both account and non-account holders.

This innovative service puts control of the rental process in the traveller’s hands, allowing them the ease of booking from their offices, homes or mobile phones.

During the launch phase, there will be dual-view screens available to allow agents to assist renters with their first self-service checkout.