When you hire a van, collecting it directly from the hire branch isn’t always very convenient.

For one thing, getting there may not be easy. You will probably need to get a lift, or leave your car parked unattended near the hire company’s office for the duration of your rental. Leaving your car may be convenient, but it isn’t very desirable, especially in urban industrial areas that may be a bit dodgy after dark.

Time’s often tight, too, and having someone deliver a hire van to you can be a real bonus, especially if you are at work.

Unsurprisingly, many hire companies do now offer delivery and collection (D&C) services — they will bring the vehicle to you are the start of the hire, and collect it from you at the end of the hire period.

Naturally, this service usually costs extra, and not all companies offer D&C from all of their branches.

To help you work out what’s what in the world of van hire delivery and collection, I’ve checked with all the major companies listed on vanrental.co.uk to see what their delivery and collection policies are*. This post brings all of that information together in one place for you.

Delivery & Collection:

• Europcar: Van hire delivery and collection costs £10 each way for locations within 15 miles of the nearest branch, £20 for delivery addresses from 16-30 miles and £30 for delivery addresses more than 30 miles from the nearest branch. No minimum booking length applies, but 48 hours’ notice is required for delivery. The delivery address must be a home address that matches the address on the driver’s credit card and driving licence. Collection is available from a home, work or hotel address.
• Hertz: Delivery can be arranged when you make your booking by contacting the Hertz Reservations Centre by phone. Collections must be arranged directly with the return location. An additional fee will apply in both cases.
• Thrifty: Delivery and collection services are available at some locations – contact the branch directly for details.
• Sixt: Delivery and collection is not available for private customers.
• Argus Car Hire (broker): Availability and cost varies depending on the supplying hire company.
• Enterprise**: Enterprise doesn’t offer a delivery and collection service. Instead, if offers a pick-up and drop-off service. This means that Enterprise will pick you up from your home or office and take you back to the branch to sign out your hire vehicle. At the end of your hire, they will drop you off at your home/office after you have returned the hire vehicle to your nearest Enterprise branch.

*At time of writing 26/07/2013. I’ve done my best to make sure this information is accurate, but the author and vanrental.co.uk accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. If in doubt, check before you book.

**At the time of writing, Enterprise branches were not included on vanrental.co.uk.