Rental vs normal car hire
A picture car is not self-drive rental from a forecourt. The car is cast for the scene, the owner usually attends, and the production arranges filming insurance. The brief should say what the car does: a featured arrival, a parked street and a driving sequence need different arrangements.
How it works
- Send a brief: the scene, dates, location, references and how the car is used (driven, static in shot or background).
- We search the catalogue and owners and send a shortlist, usually within forty-eight hours, with photos and practical notes.
- You choose. Nothing is booked until you do.
- We confirm date, call time and on-set rules with the owner. See how it works.
What does it cost?
CarSeen quotes every job individually; the car, number of days, whether it is driven, the driver, transport and distance all change the figure.
Insurance
The production insures the car for filming, naming the owner, usually under its production policy or a specialist picture-car policy. Don't assume cover is included in the hire. Read picture car insurance explained.
How far ahead to book
Brief as early as you can: owners are private individuals and popular period cars get booked. Shortlists usually come back within forty-eight hours, so short-notice jobs are possible, but a specific make, colour and year is easier to secure with more notice, especially if you need doubles (matching picture car doubles).
Drivers, delivery and on set
Owners often drive or attend with their car, and that is usually the simplest arrangement. Cars can be driven in or moved by transporter or low-loader; tell us the location and whether plates need covering or changing. For moving shots see tracking vehicles vs low-loaders and filming car scenes on public roads.
Period and specialist cars
The catalogue runs from pre-war tourers to modern executive cars, plus taxis, buses, police and American cars and commercial vehicles. See period cars for film, police car hire, American cars and action vehicles.
UK coverage
CarSeen is based in Shoreditch, London, and sources from owners across the UK. Send the actual shoot location and we search for cars that can reach it. See picture vehicle hire UK.
Example cars from the catalogue
Real catalogue listings. Images are representative; availability is confirmed when you brief.
Related pages
FAQ
Is picture car rental the same as picture car hire?
Yes. Picture car rental is the usual US term and picture car hire the usual UK term; both mean sourcing vehicles to appear on camera.
Can I rent a picture car and drive it myself?
Not usually as a self-drive rental. If cast or crew need to drive, say so in the brief; it depends on the owner's agreement and the production's insurance.
How much does it cost to hire a picture car in the UK?
CarSeen quotes every job individually; the car, number of days, whether it is driven, the driver, transport and distance all change the figure.
Who insures a picture car?
The production insures the car for filming, naming the owner. Cover is not normally included in the hire, so check your production policy or arrange specialist picture-car cover.
How quickly can CarSeen find a car?
Shortlists usually come back within forty-eight hours of a brief, with photos and notes on each car. Nothing is booked until you choose.
Does the owner drive the car on set?
Often, yes. Many owners drive or attend with their car. If cast need to drive, say so in the brief so insurance and the owner's agreement can be arranged.
Can you supply cars outside London?
Yes. CarSeen is based in London and sources from owners across the UK; send the shoot location and we search for cars that can reach it.
Are the catalogue photos the actual cars?
Catalogue images are representative of each model. Your shortlist shows the real cars, with colour and availability confirmed.
Ready to cast your car?
Send the scene, dates, location and how the car is used. We'll come back with real options, usually within forty-eight hours.