Navigating the world of car rentals can often feel like deciphering a secret language. You’re presented with a range of vehicle options, each described with cryptic codes and abbreviations. Understanding these codes is crucial to ensuring you rent the vehicle that perfectly meets your needs. This is where the Car Rental System Coding, specifically the ACRISS system, comes into play.
What is ACRISS and Why is it Important in Car Rental System Coding?
ACRISS, which stands for the Association of Car Rental Industry Systems Standards, has established a globally recognized standard for classifying rental vehicles. This system, often referred to as ACRISS car codes or vehicle matrix, is designed to provide clarity and consistency across different car rental companies and locations. Instead of relying on vague descriptions or brand-specific terminology, ACRISS utilizes a four-character code to define the key characteristics of a vehicle. This standardization is vital for both car rental businesses and customers.
For car rental companies, ACRISS codes streamline inventory management, facilitate accurate pricing, and enable seamless communication across different systems. For customers, understanding car rental system coding through ACRISS empowers them to make informed decisions, compare vehicles effectively, and avoid surprises when picking up their rental. It ensures a “like-for-like” comparison, regardless of the rental agency.
Breaking Down the ACRISS Car Rental System Coding
The ACRISS code is structured as a four-character string, with each character representing a specific vehicle attribute. Let’s decode each position:
First Character: Vehicle Category – Size and Class
The first letter of the ACRISS code specifies the vehicle category, primarily based on size, cost, power, and luxury level. This helps you quickly understand the general class of the vehicle. Categories range from Mini to Oversize and Special vehicles.
| Code | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| M | Mini | Smallest and most economical vehicles. |
| N | Mini Elite | Upgraded mini vehicles with enhanced features. |
| E | Economy | Budget-friendly and fuel-efficient compact cars. |
| H | Economy Elite | Premium economy vehicles with added comforts. |
| C | Compact | Standard compact cars, suitable for small families. |
| D | Compact Elite | Higher-end compact options with better features. |
| I | Intermediate | Mid-size vehicles, offering more space and comfort. |
| J | Intermediate Elite | Premium intermediate cars with enhanced amenities. |
| S | Standard | Typical family sedans, offering good space and features. |
| R | Standard Elite | Upgraded standard vehicles with luxury elements. |
| F | Fullsize | Large sedans and comfortable for longer journeys. |
| G | Fullsize Elite | Luxury full-size vehicles with premium amenities. |
| P | Premium | High-end vehicles with luxury features and performance. |
| U | Premium Elite | Top-tier premium vehicles, often with exclusive features. |
| L | Luxury | Dedicated luxury cars, emphasizing comfort and style. |
| W | Luxury Elite | Highest level of luxury vehicles, ultimate in refinement. |
| O | Oversize | Extra-large vehicles, often SUVs or vans. |
| X | Special | Unique or specialty vehicles, not fitting standard categories. |
Second Character: Vehicle Type – Body Style
The second character defines the vehicle type or body style. This helps you identify if it’s a sedan, SUV, van, or other type.
| Code | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| B | 2-3 Door | Hatchbacks or coupes with fewer doors. |
| C | 2/4 Door | Sedans and hatchbacks, common passenger cars. |
| D | 4-5 Door | Standard sedans and larger hatchbacks. |
| W | Wagon/Estate | Station wagons with extended cargo space. |
| V | Passenger Van | Minivans and passenger vans. |
| L | Limousine/Sedan | Luxury sedans and limousines. |
| S | Sport | Sports cars and performance vehicles. |
| T | Convertible | Open-top vehicles, convertibles. |
| F | SUV | Sport Utility Vehicles, for on and off-road. |
| J | Open Air All Terrain | Jeeps and open-top off-road vehicles. |
| X | Special | Unique or specialty body types. |
| P | Pick up (single/extended cab) 2 door | Single or extended cab pickup trucks. |
| Q | Pick up (double cab) 4 door | Double cab, four-door pickup trucks. |
| Z | Special Offer Car | Vehicles offered at special rates. |
| E | Coupe | Two-door, sporty coupes. |
| M | Monospace | Minivans or MPVs with a single-box design. |
| R | Recreational Vehicle | RVs and camper vans. |
| H | Motor Home | Large motorhomes and camper vehicles. |
| Y | 2 Wheel Vehicle | Motorcycles and scooters. |
| N | Roadster | Two-seater open-top sports cars. |
| G | Crossover | Crossover SUVs, blending car and SUV features. |
| K | Commercial Van/Truck | Cargo vans and commercial trucks. |
Third Character: Transmission and Drive
This position indicates the type of transmission (automatic or manual) and the drive system (2WD, 4WD, or AWD).
| Code | Transmission / Drive | Description |
|---|---|---|
| M | Manual Unspecified Drive | Manual transmission, drive unspecified. |
| N | Manual 4WD | Manual transmission, four-wheel drive. |
| C | Manual AWD | Manual transmission, all-wheel drive. |
| A | Auto Unspecified Drive | Automatic transmission, drive unspecified. |
| B | Auto 4WD | Automatic transmission, four-wheel drive. |
| D | Auto AWD | Automatic transmission, all-wheel drive. |
Fourth Character: Fuel and Air Conditioning
The final character specifies the fuel type and whether the vehicle has air conditioning.
| Code | Fuel/Air Conditioning | Description |
|---|---|---|
| R | Unspecified Fuel/Power With Air | Fuel type unspecified, with air conditioning. |
| N | Unspecified Fuel/Power Without Air | Fuel type unspecified, without air conditioning. |
| D | Diesel Air | Diesel fuel, with air conditioning. |
| Q | Diesel No Air | Diesel fuel, without air conditioning. |
| H | Hybrid | Hybrid fuel type (petrol-electric). |
| I | Hybrid Plug in | Plug-in hybrid vehicle. |
| E | Electric | Battery electric vehicle (BEV). |
| C | Electric | Battery electric vehicle (BEV). |
| L | LPG/Compressed Gas Air | LPG or compressed gas fuel, with air conditioning. |
| S | LPG/Compressed Gas No Air | LPG or compressed gas fuel, without air conditioning. |
| A | Hydrogen Air | Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, with air conditioning. |
| B | Hydrogen No Air | Hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, without air conditioning. |
| M | Multi Fuel/Power Air | Flex-fuel or multi-power, with air conditioning. |
| F | Multi fuel/power No Air | Flex-fuel or multi-power, without air conditioning. |
| V | Petrol Air | Petrol (gasoline) fuel, with air conditioning. |
| Z | Petrol No Air | Petrol (gasoline) fuel, without air conditioning. |
| U | Ethanol Air | Ethanol fuel, with air conditioning. |
| X | Ethanol No Air | Ethanol fuel, without air conditioning. |
Example: A code like “CCMN” translates to:
- C – Compact Category
- C – 2/4 Door Type
- M – Manual Transmission
- N – No Air Conditioning
This ACRISS code would typically represent vehicles similar to a Ford Focus or Opel Astra, offering a compact size with manual transmission and no air conditioning.
Passenger Van Coding in the Car Rental System
For passenger vans, the ACRISS system expands to include passenger capacity in the first character, providing more detailed car rental system coding for larger vehicles.
| Code | Passenger Van Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IV | 6+ Seats | Passenger van with 6 or more seats. |
| JV | Elite 6+ Seats | Premium passenger van with 6+ seats or 5+2 layout. |
| SV | 7+ seats | Passenger van with 7 or more seats. |
| RV | Elite 7+ Seats | Premium passenger van with 7+ seats. |
| FV | 7+ Seats, plus more space | Larger passenger van with 7+ seats and more space. |
| GV | Elite 7+ Seats plus more space | Premium larger passenger van with 7+ seats and space. |
| PV | 8+ Seats | Passenger van with 8 or more seats. |
| UV | Elite 8+ Seats | Premium passenger van with 8+ seats. |
| LV | 9+ Seats | Passenger van with 9 or more seats. |
| WV | Elite 9+ Seats | Premium passenger van with 9+ seats. |
| XV | 12+ Seats | Passenger van with 12 or more seats. |
| OV | 15+ Seats | Passenger van with 15 or more seats. |
This expanded coding ensures accurate representation of passenger van capacity within the car rental system coding.
Benefits of Using ACRISS Codes in Car Rental
The adoption of the ACRISS car rental system coding brings several advantages:
- Standardization: It provides a universal language for car classification, eliminating ambiguity and confusion across different rental companies.
- Transparency: Customers can clearly understand the characteristics of a vehicle before booking, leading to more informed decisions.
- Comparison Shopping: ACRISS codes make it easy to compare vehicles from different rental agencies on a like-for-like basis.
- Efficient Communication: Rental companies can use these codes for internal systems, inventory management, and communication with partners.
Find the Code for Your Ideal Rental Car
Want to quickly find the ACRISS code for a specific type of car? ACRISS provides a search tool on their website to help you decode or find codes for various vehicles. Click here to search for car codes and ensure you’re selecting the right vehicle for your rental needs.
By understanding the ACRISS car rental system coding, you gain greater control and confidence in your car rental experience, ensuring you get the vehicle that perfectly matches your requirements.
