Love cars? Love driving? A part-time job at a car rental company is recommended for those who want to work with cars.

This article explains the typical duties, pros, and cons of working part-time at a car rental company.

Basic Information for Part-time Jobs at Car Rental Companies in Hokkaido

When considering a part-time job at a car rental company, you need to know the basic information.

Here, we will introduce the basic information for part-time jobs at car rental companies, divided into 4 key points

.

Point ① Hourly Wage Varies by Region

The hourly wage for part-time jobs at car rental companies varies by region and company.

As of 2025, average hourly wages are around 1,050-1,200 yen in summer (June-August) and slightly higher in winter (Dec-Feb) at 1,100-1,300 yen, reflecting the more demanding work.

Car rental companies in Sapporo City often offer higher hourly wages during peak seasons.

Peak seasons

, such as summer tourism and the Snow Festival, often face staff shortages, leading to more short-term, intensive part-time job openings.

This is an ideal time for those who want to earn efficiently.

Point ② A Regular Driver's License is Required

In most cases, a regular driver's license is essential for part-time jobs at car rental companies.

However, even administrative or car washing tasks are sometimes available, especially during peak times when they '

need all the help they can get

,' so if you love cars, it's worth inquiring.

Car rental companies in snowy regions like Hokkaido may prioritize candidates with winter driving experience.

Especially when handling vehicle transfers or delivery services, experience and skills in snow driving will be an advantage in hiring.

Point ③ Job Responsibilities are Diverse

When thinking about a part-time job at a car rental company, many people probably imagine counter work or direct customer service.

However, there are actually many tasks, including a significant amount of behind-the-scenes work.

These job responsibilities will be explained in detail in a later section.

Point ④ Visa Requirements for Foreign Workers

When foreigners work part-time at a car rental company, it is essential to have a

work-eligible visa

.

International students need a 'Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence' and are limited to 28 hours per week.

Also, Specified Skilled Worker and Technical Intern Training visas limit eligible industries based on visa type.

Foreign staff fluent in English or other languages are often valuable for inbound tourists, but checking visa work conditions before applying is crucial.

Job Responsibilities for Part-time Jobs at Car Rental Companies in Hokkaido

The main types of part-time job responsibilities at a car rental company are the following four:

Customer Service

On the day of rental, customers visit the car rental company.

Car rental staff guide customers through necessary forms, procedures, and vehicle pickup. The staff handling this is responsible for '

customer service

'.

Recently, the number of foreign tourists has increased, and the ability to speak foreign languages such as English or Chinese is highly valued.

Staff who can handle multiple languages may also receive higher hourly wages.

Car Rental Arrangement, Washing, and Maintenance

Washing rental cars after use, driving them to other branches, and other vehicle-related tasks are part of a car rental company's duties.

While direct customer interaction is minimal, this role focuses on vehicles. It's crucial work to ensure valuable rental cars are prepared for customer satisfaction.

In Hokkaido during winter, snow removal from vehicles and anti-freezing measures are also important tasks. Basic knowledge for maintaining good vehicle condition is useful.

Reservation Handling (Phone/Online)

Handling customer reservation calls, processing online bookings, and other administrative/phone support tasks are also part of a car rental company's duties.

This work may also be handled concurrently by staff who serve customers at the counter.

Winter Snow Driving Precautions and SkillsWhen working at a car rental company in snowy regions like Hokkaido, winter snow driving skills are essential.

Below are the main precautions.

1. Avoid sudden braking or steering

Braking distances are longer on snowy roads, requiring ample caution.

2. Maintain appropriate following distance

Ensure a following distance 2-3 times greater than usual.

3. Cautious starting and decelerating

Press the accelerator and brake slowly, and utilize engine braking.

4. Understand road conditions

Driving methods must be adjusted according to road conditions, such as compacted snow or ice.

For more details on snow driving, please refer to Sapporo RENTA LEASE's

Winter Driving Guide

.

Actual experience in snow driving can be an advantage during hiring.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Part-time Jobs at Car Rental Companies

Part-time jobs at car rental companies have both advantages and disadvantages. Here, we will introduce some typical ones for each.

Advantages of Working Part-time at a Car Rental Company

・You can acquire customer service skills

・You can drive and maintain various types of vehicles

・Parking and driving skills will improve

・Gain valuable winter driving experience in winter

・Potential for increased shifts and higher hourly wages during peak seasons

Especially in Hokkaido, winter driving experience is a great asset. Experience at a car rental company is often highly valued when pursuing future careers in the

automotive industry or jobs involving driving.Disadvantages of Working Part-time at a Car Rental Company・May encounter difficult situations such as handling customer complaints or politely declining unreasonable requests・Work can feel tough due to outdoor tasks in summer and winter・Difficult to take days off on weekends, public holidays, and long holidays when others are off・Winter may involve early morning snow shoveling and removal tasks

Especially at car rental companies in tourist areas, working during peak seasons like Golden Week, summer vacation, and New Year's is almost guaranteed.

Caution

is required when making private plans.

When is the best time to apply for a part-time job?Rental car companies often recruit many short-term part-time staff during peak seasons like the summer tourist season and the Snow Festival period.

Applying during these times tends to increase your chances of being hired.

1.Summer (July-August)

This is a period when tourist numbers increase, especially popular in Hokkaido.

2.Snow Festival Period (February)

Tourist numbers surge during events like the Sapporo Snow Festival.

3.Golden Week / New Year's Holiday

This is a time when travelers increase due to long holidays.

Peak seasons often offer special allowances on top of the basic hourly wage, recommended for those seeking efficient short-term earnings.

Opportunities for full-time employment also increase, which is advantageous for those considering a long-term career.

Tips for a Successful Interview

Finally, for those interested in part-time work at a rental car company, here are key strategies for a successful interview.

If you keep these in mind during your interview, your chances of success will surely increase.

Emphasize your passion for cars

Part-time work at a rental car company is, above all, suited for people who love cars.

Strongly emphasize that being involved with cars you love brings happiness and a sense of purpose.

Highlight your bright personality and cleanliness for customer service

Since rental car duties involve customer service, it's effective to show you can interact with customers brightly and cheerfully. Dressing cleanly and appropriately for customer service is also key for the interview.

Show flexibility with irregular shifts and schedules

Rental car companies do not operate on a calendar schedule with weekends and holidays off.

When staff is suddenly short, you might get urgent requests like, 'Can you work this day?' Showing flexibility for such irregular, unpredictable schedules will help you pass the interview.

Highlight your driving experience, especially in snow