SIPP stands for Standard Interline Passenger Procedure. A SIPP code is a 4-character code used to classify rental cars according to their key characteristics.
The current classification is maintained by ACRISS, the Association of Car Rental Industry Systems Standards. The ACRISS system evolved from the original SIPP classification, which is why both names are used in the car rental industry.
RateHawk now displays the SIPP code confirmed by the supplier for every rental car. You can find it in 4 places:
On the car card in search
On the booking form
In the full rental conditions
On the voucher
How do SIPP codes work for car rentals?
SIPP codes are read from left to right. Each position represents a different vehicle characteristic:
1st character — category: the vehicle’s size, cost, power, and luxury level.
2nd character — type: the number of doors or body type.
3rd character — transmission and drive: the transmission and drive system.
4th character — fuel and air conditioning: the fuel or power type and, for combustion vehicles, whether A/C is included.
SIPP code table
To decode a code, match each character to the corresponding column below. The entries shown in the same row are not connected and do not form a code.
1st: Category | 2nd: Type | 3rd: Transmission and drive | 4th: Fuel and A/C |
M Mini | B 2–3 doors | M Manual, drive unspecified | R Combustion, fuel unspecified, A/C |
N Mini Elite | C 2 or 4 doors | N Manual, 4WD | N Combustion, fuel unspecified, no A/C |
E Economy | D 4–5 doors | C Manual, AWD | D Diesel, A/C |
H Economy Elite | W Wagon or estate | A Automatic, drive unspecified | Q Diesel, no A/C |
C Compact | V Passenger van | B Automatic, 4WD | H Hybrid |
D Compact Elite | L Limousine or sedan | D Automatic, AWD | I Plug-in hybrid |
I Intermediate | S Sport | Q Level 3 automation | E Electric |
J Intermediate Elite | T Convertible | H Level 4 automation | C Electric |
S Standard | F SUV | F Level 5 automation | L LPG or compressed gas, A/C |
R Standard Elite | J Open-air all-terrain vehicle |
| S LPG or compressed gas, no A/C |
F Full-size | X Special |
| A Hydrogen, A/C |
G Full-size Elite | P Pickup, single or extended cab, 2 doors |
| B Hydrogen, no A/C |
P Premium | Q Pickup, double cab, 4 doors |
| M Multi-fuel or multi-power, A/C |
U Premium Elite | Z Special-offer car |
| F Multi-fuel or multi-power, no A/C |
L Luxury | E Coupe |
| V Petrol, A/C |
W Luxury Elite | M Monospace |
| Z Petrol, no A/C |
O Oversize | R Recreational vehicle |
| U Ethanol, A/C |
X Special | H Motorhome |
| X Ethanol, no A/C |
| Y 2-wheel vehicle |
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| N Roadster |
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| G Crossover |
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| K Commercial van or truck |
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For hybrid and electric vehicles, A/C is standard and is not encoded separately.
What does Elite mean?
Elite identifies a higher-specification vehicle within a similar size or category. Differences may include performance, features, comfort, equipment, price, or brand positioning.
Passenger van codes
Passenger vans are an exception. When V appears in the 2nd position, the first 2 characters are read together. The 1st character indicates passenger capacity instead of the usual vehicle category.
Code | Passenger capacity |
IV | 6+ seats |
JV | Elite, 6+ seats or 5+2 seats with 2 fold-down seats |
SV | 7+ seats |
RV | Elite, 7+ seats |
FV | 7+ seats with additional space |
GV | Elite, 7+ seats with additional space |
PV | 8+ seats |
UV | Elite, 8+ seats |
LV | 9+ seats |
WV | Elite, 9+ seats |
XV | 12+ seats |
OV | 15+ seats |
For example, SV means a passenger van with 7+ seats, not a Standard passenger van. The 3rd and 4th characters keep their usual meanings.
How do I read a SIPP code?
For example, CDAR can be decoded as follows:
C | D | A | R |
Compact | 4–5 doors | Automatic, drive unspecified | Combustion, fuel unspecified, A/C |
This means the confirmed class is a compact, 4–5-door automatic vehicle with A/C. The drive and fuel type are not specified.
Does a SIPP code guarantee a specific model?
No, unless the offer explicitly states that the exact model is guaranteed. Otherwise, the supplier commits to the vehicle class rather than a particular make or model. This is what “or similar” means.
For example, if an offer shows a particular model “or similar” with the code CDAR, the supplier may provide a different model that is still compact, has 4–5 doors, an automatic transmission, and A/C.
Because the same code appears on the car card, in the full rental conditions, and on the voucher, you and your client can check the confirmed vehicle class throughout the booking journey.
Where can I learn more?
For additional definitions and the latest version of the classification, visit the official ACRISS car code guide.