Classification · Travelers + trade
ACRISS code
Also called SIPP code, car code, vehicle class code
What it means
An ACRISS code is the four-letter shorthand the rental industry uses to describe a class of car. Each letter answers one question: how big is it (1st letter), what body type (2nd), what transmission and drive (3rd), and what fuel and air conditioning (4th). CDMR, for example, means Compact, 4-5 door, Manual, unspecified fuel with air conditioning. The codes are maintained by ACRISS, an industry association, and many people still call them SIPP codes, the older name.
Why it matters
It's how booking systems, brokers and rental companies agree on what you're booking. Two sites showing "CDMR" are describing the same class, so it's the cleanest way to compare like with like. It describes a class, not a model, which is why the car you get is "or similar."
Example
IFAR = Intermediate, SUV, Automatic (unspecified drive), unspecified fuel with air conditioning. Change the third letter to M and it's the manual version, which in much of Europe is the default and costs less.
Wording by region
Same codes worldwide. The "Wagon" letter (W) is called an "estate" in the UK.
Related terms
- Or similarYou're booking a class of car, not a specific model; the car shown is an example from that class.
- Car classThe size and type group a rental is booked in, such as compact automatic, rather than a specific model.
- Automatic vs manualWhether the car changes gears by itself (automatic) or you use a clutch and gear stick (manual).
Also related Economy / compact / intermediate, Vehicle mapping, ACRISS (association)