A SIPP code, short for Standard Interline Passenger Procedure, is a standardized four-character classification system used extensively in the car rental industry. Its primary purpose is to help customers easily compare and understand the key characteristics of different vehicle models and types across various rental providers.
Often referred to interchangeably as ACRISS codes (Association of Car Rental Industry Systems and Standards), SIPP codes provide a universal language for describing rental vehicles. This ensures transparency and consistency in bookings. While a booking might display an example of a brand or model to give a visual idea of the vehicle category, the SIPP code is the definitive descriptor of the car's attributes. This means that if you book a vehicle based on its SIPP code, you are guaranteed to receive a car matching those specific characteristics, even if the exact make and model offered upon pickup differs from the example shown.
Decoding the Four Characters of a SIPP Code
Each of the four characters in a SIPP code represents a distinct attribute of the rental vehicle, allowing for a precise classification:
| Character Position | Represents | Description |
|---|---|---|
| First Character | Vehicle Category | Denotes the size or class of the car. Common examples include M for Mini, E for Economy, C for Compact, I for Intermediate, S for Standard, F for Full Size, P for Premium, L for Luxury, V for Passenger Van, J for SUV, and W for Wagon/Estate. |
| Second Character | Vehicle Type | Describes the specific body style or number of doors. This can include B for 2-4 Door, D for 4-door, W for Wagon/Estate, V for Passenger Van, R for Convertible, J for Jeep/4x4, T for SUV, and C for 2-door Coupe. |
| Third Character | Transmission & Drive | Specifies the type of transmission and whether the vehicle is two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Examples are M for Manual 2WD, A for Automatic 2WD, N for Manual 4WD, and B for Automatic 4WD. |
| Fourth Character | Fuel & Air Conditioning | Indicates the fuel type and whether the vehicle includes air conditioning. Common codes are R for Petrol with AC, N for Petrol without AC, D for Diesel with AC, Q for Diesel without AC, E for Electric with AC, and H for Hybrid with AC. |
Example of a SIPP Code
Let's take the SIPP code CDAR:
- C (First Character): Refers to a Compact vehicle category.
- D (Second Character): Denotes a 4-door vehicle type.
- A (Third Character): Indicates an Automatic transmission with 2WD.
- R (Fourth Character): Specifies a Petrol fuel type with Air Conditioning.
Importance of SIPP Codes in Car Rentals
SIPP codes are crucial for both rental companies and customers due to several key benefits:
- Streamlined Comparison: They enable customers to easily compare similar vehicles across different rental companies based on objective criteria, rather than subjective terms or varying brand names.
- Enhanced Transparency: Renters receive a clear understanding of the vehicle's features and size, mitigating potential disappointments or misunderstandings at the time of pick-up.
- Global Standardization: As a widely adopted industry standard, SIPP codes provide consistency regardless of the rental location or provider, simplifying the booking process for international travelers.
By utilizing SIPP codes, car rental companies ensure that while a visual example (e.g., "Ford Focus or similar") may be displayed, the SIPP code provides the precise details of the vehicle's category, type, transmission, and amenities that the customer can expect.
For more detailed information on ACRISS/SIPP codes and their full classification list, you can refer to resources like Rentalcars.com's guide on ACRISS codes.
