Welcome to a faster, simpler way to hire a vehicle. At Zelf, we have completely replaced the traditional rental counter and physical keys. Your smartphone is now your digital key, giving you the power to find, check, and unlock your vehicle in seconds.
This guide explains exactly how to connect your phone, complete your safety checks, and get on the road without any delays.
Getting Your Phone Ready
Before your rental begins, you need to make sure your smartphone is set up correctly. Your phone is the central hub for your entire journey, so preparing it is vital.
- Charge your battery: Ensure your phone is fully charged before you leave the house. You need it to unlock the car, complete your checks, and end the rental later.
- Turn on Bluetooth: Our vehicles use a secure Bluetooth connection to communicate with your app. Go to your phone settings and switch Bluetooth on.
- Check your app: Open the Zelf app and make sure you are logged in.
Top Tip: Carry a charging cable with you. All Zelf vehicles have USB ports so you can keep your battery topped up while you drive.
Finding Your Vehicle
We place our cars in convenient stations around town, and our vans wait at a dedicated depot. We make finding your exact vehicle completely stress-free.
- Open the Zelf app five minutes before your rental time begins.
- Tap on your active booking.
- Click the map link provided on the screen.
- Follow the map directions straight to your vehicle.
Because you select your specific car or van when you book, the vehicle waiting for you is exactly the one you chose.
The Mandatory Photo Check
Safety and transparency are our top priorities. Before you unlock the doors, we ask you to complete a quick condition check using your phone camera. This protects you and ensures our fleet stays in top condition.
- Walk around the vehicle and look for any new marks, scratches, or dents.
- Follow the prompts in the Zelf app to take clear photos of all four sides of the vehicle.
- Upload the photos directly through the app with one tap.
Top Tip: Take your photos in good light and make sure the whole panel of the car or van is visible in the frame.
Unlocking Your Vehicle
Once you finish your photo check, you are just a tap away from starting your journey.
Stand next to the driver side door.
- Keep the Zelf app open on your screen.
- Tap the large “Unlock” button in the app.
- Listen for the doors to click open.
- The secure Bluetooth connection acts instantly. Step inside, get comfortable, and you can start the engine. There are no hidden steps or complicated add-ons.
Ending Your Rental
When you finish your trip, returning the vehicle is just as easy as picking it up.
- Park the vehicle in an approved Zelf station (for cars) or at our depot (for vans).
- Turn off the engine and step outside.
- Open the Zelf app and tap “End Rental”. The app will lock the doors securely via Bluetooth.
- Always check the door handles to confirm the vehicle is fully locked before you walk away.
Key Takeaways
- Power up: A fully charged phone is essential for your Zelf journey.
- Connect: Always keep your Bluetooth turned on to communicate with the vehicle.
- Snap photos: Complete the mandatory photo check to document the vehicle condition.
- Tap to unlock: Use the Zelf app to lock and unlock the doors instantly.
We built this digital process to give you total control over your travel. If you ever need help during your rental, you can contact our support team directly through the app.