Category Archives: Van hire faq

Beginner’s guide to van hire: how to pay + credit cards

Beginner’s guide to van hire: Speed limits, fuel and mileage

Driving a van

If it’s your first time, check out our guide to driving a van.

Actually operating the van is easy — the steering wheel and gears and other controls are just the same as those of a car.

What’s different is the size and weight of the vehicle, especially when it’s loaded. As a general rule, you should brake and corner much more gently than with a car. Remember that the van may be much wider than a car.

If the back of your van contains the contents of your flat, then chucking it around like Lewis Hamilton is likely to damage your stuff.

Another problem is height. Medium or large vans are usually too tall to fit under car park height barriers. Don’t be the person who gets this wrong, as your insurance probably won’t cover damage to the roof.

The other big thing to remember is that there’s no rear view mirror. You need to make sure your van’s wing mirrors are adjusted so you can clearly down each side of the van. Use these a lot!

Speed limits

Van speed limits are different to those for cars!

These speed limits apply to virtually all vans, including small models like the Ford Transit Connect and Citroen Berlingo. I’ve highlighted where the speed limits are different to those for cars:

Motorways: 70mph
–> Dual carriageways: 60mph
–> Single carriageways: 50mph
Built-up areas: 30mph

Mileage limits

Many hire companies rent their vans with no mileage limits. You can do as many miles as you want.

But some companies do have limits, and ignoring them can be costly. One common approach is a maximum number of miles per day, after which you will be charged an additional rate per mile. This can be costly, so check before you book.

Fuel policy

Fuel policy varies between companies, but the usual setup is that the vehicle will come with a full tank of fuel, and you have to return it with a full tank of fuel.

If the tank isn’t full when you return the van, you’ll be charged a refuelling charge per litre that’s more than the local pump price.

Some of the big companies will allow you to pre-purchase a tank of fuel when you pickup the vehicle, so you don’t need to refill it when you return the vehicle. If you do this, make sure you will use enough fuel to make it worth the extra cost.

Finally, most hire vans are diesel. But there are a few small vans with petrol engines, so if you’re not sure, check. There’s usually a label on the filler cap reminding you of the right fuel to use.

If you do put the wrong fuel in, don’t start the engine or even put the key in the ignition. Ring for the assistance number provided by the hire company immediately.

Beginner’s guide to van hire: what type of van do I need?

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You’re probably familiar with different types of car, like estate, hatchback and SUV. But you may not be quite so confident when it comes to vans.

The good news is that for most people, there are only really a few types of van you need to know about. The bad news is that similar vans can sometimes be referred to in different ways.

To help you work out what you need when you next hire a van, here’s our beginner’s guide to the different types of van + how much stuff you can fit into each one. You can find more information about vans in our Van Size Guide.

Please remember all sizes and weights given are approximate. If you are unsure about what size you need, check directly with your van hire company. vanrental.co.uk will not accept any responsibility if you hire a van that is too small or too large for your needs.

Small vans

Small vans such as the Citroen Berlingo usually have a load space about 1.7m long and 1.5m wide. Load height is usually limited to about 1.2m.

Most models can fit two Euro pallets. They’re a good size for tradesmen needing to carry tools and for local deliveries. The maximum load weight (payload) is usually 600-800kg.

These vans often only have one proper passenger seat, although many now have a fold-down middle seat allowing space for two passengers. This can get a bit cramped on long journeys.

Medium vans (a.k.a. ‘Transit’ vans)

The term Transit van is often used to describe any medium-sized panel van, not just those made by Ford. These vans are the workhorses of the UK economy, chosen by tradesmen, couriers and delivery firms. They do come in different sizes, though.

Unless you book a long wheelbase model (see below) it’s safest to assume that you will get a short wheelbase van, similar to what’s pictured. In this case, expect a maximum load length of about 2.4m, a width of about 1.7m and a height of 1.4m (low roof) or more if it has a high roof.

Maximum load weight is usually 900-1200kg, depending on the model.

This may be large enough to move a studio flat, if you don’t have much in the way of furniture or kitchen appliances. If you have a lot of stuff, then you’ll probably want to move up to a long wheelbase model.

Remember to ask your hire company if you need exact payload (weight) or size information. All vans vary and you are unlikely to know exactly what you’re getting when you book.

Long wheelbase vans

An extra-long wheelbase Nissan NV400 van.

The small and medium vans I’ve pictured above aren’t much bigger than large cars. But this isn’t always big enough. If you need more space then one way to go is to get a long wheelbase van. These actually come in two sizes — long or extra long. You may be able to choose when you book, but you may not. If you need something specific, then ring the hire company and ask.

Long wheelbase vans usually have a load length about 3.5m. Extra-long wheelbase vans will add to this and offer 4m or even more. Width is unchanged at about 1.7m, but you’re almost certain to get a high roof, giving load height in the region of 1.6m-2.0m

These may be big enough for a 1/2-bed flat move, as long as your furniture isn’t too bulky or can be flat packed, and you don’t have many large appliances which can’t be stacked (e.g. washing machine, cooker, freezer, etc).

These models are quite big vans and need a big of extra care when driving, especially when reversing or manoeuvring in tight spaces. But they’re easy enough to drive and very useful, so don’t let their size put you off.

Luton vans

There’s a good reason most small house removal companies use luton vans for the majority of their jobs. If you’re moving a 1/2 bed property or even (maybe) a 3-bed house then these are the best thing for the job.

Also known as box vans, lutons are not quite as long as a long wheelbase panel van, but are wider and higher. They also have a completely square load space, with no wheel arches, as the box sits on top of the chassis, above the wheels. Sizes can vary, but a typical set of dimensions might be 4m long, 2m wide and 2.2m high.

Because the box sits above the wheels, the load deck is quite high off the ground. To make it easier to lift heavy objects in and out, many luton hire vans have a tail lift, which allows you to raise and lower objects from the ground to the back of the ground. However, not all luton vans have tail lifts. If this is a necessity, make sure you ask before booking.

Automatic vans

If you only have an automatic car licence, can hire an automatic van?

The short answer: No. Automatic vans are not generally available for hire. Unless the hire companies specifically states that they offer automatic vans, you should assume the van will be manual.

If your driving licence only allows you to drive automatics, then you’ll have to find another driver.

You may need to know: Although most manufacturers do make automatic vans, they usually cost extra and very few hire companies buy them. I expect this will gradually change, but not overnight.

Beginner’s guide to van hire: driving licence and age limits

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Welcome to the first in a series of posts covering everything you need to know about van hire.

Two of the most common questions we get asked by first-time van hire customers are about driving licences and age restrictions.

Here’s what you need to know.

Driving licence requirements

The short version: If you have a full UK car licence, you can drive virtually all rental vans.

When renting a van, you will also need to provide a driving licence check code – available from www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence (you’ll need your National Insurance number and driving licence).

You may need to know: Your UK car driving licence covers you to drive goods vehicles (like vans) with a maximum loaded weight of up to 3.5 tonnes. Virtually all rental vans in the UK fall into this category.

The only possible problem is if your car licence is for automatics only. Almost all hire vans are manual, so you won’t be able to drive one.

Point on your licence? Most companies allow you to have some points for speeding, but there are usually some limits. Endorsements for more serious offences (e.g. CD, DD, DR or DG) are likely to bar you from hiring. The rules vary between companies, so if you are unsure, ask before you hire.

Age restrictions

The short version: If you are aged between 25 and 75, you shouldn’t have any problems. If you’re aged between 21 and 25, some companies will let you hire a van, but you’ll usually have to pay extra.

You may need to know: Age limits are not set in law, they are chosen by hire companies. Most of the big companies have slightly different rules to each other.

In general, drivers aged 21-25 will need to pay a young driver surcharge. In some cases, companies won’t accept drivers below a certain age at all. Younger drivers may also only be allowed to hire smaller sizes of van.

The rules are even more arbitrary for older drivers. Some companies do not specify any restriction. Others have an upper age limit. This is often 75.

If in doubt, check directly with the hire company you want to use before booking.

Still got questions?

We have more information about age limits for specific companies here.

We also have a lot more information on our van hire FAQ page.

If you’re still stuck, drop us an email or get in touch on Twitter @vanrentaluk

What Size Van Can I Drive On A Car Licence?

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This article was last updated on 31 January 2018.

The driving licence requirements for driving a van are fairly simple, but we do get a lot of questions asking about driving licences for vans, so I thought I would take a closer look to help clarify the situation.

Driving a Van – licence requirements

If you have a car driving licence (category B) than you can drive all vans with a maximum gross weight of up to 3,500kg (3.5t).

This includes vans like the Ford Transit and Volkswagen Transporter. It also includes minibuses with up to eight passenger seats.

Almost all of the vans operated by van hire companies in the UK are 3.5t models or smaller, so you shouldn’t have any problem renting and driving a van with a standard car licence.

Most hire companies have a minimum age limit and require you to have held a full driving licence for a minimum period of time. Please visit our driving licence/age restriction page for more information.

Ready to hire a van?

Note: It’s important not to confuse the maximum permitted weight of the van with its payload, or load capacity. A 3.5t van might typically have a maximum load weight of 900kg – 1,300kg, depending on the model and size of the van.

Driving Vehicles over 3,500kg (C1)

To drive a vehicle with a MAM of between 3,500kg and 7,500kg (3.5t – 7.5t) you need category C1 entitlement on your driving licence. This enables you to drive 7.5t lorries, of the kind that are offered by many van and truck hire companies.

If you passed your car driving test before 01/01/1997, you will have C1 entitlement. If you passed you car driving test after 01/01/1997, you will not have C1 unless you have taken a seperate C1 driving test.

However, not all van and truck rental companies will allow you to hire their 7.5t vehicles, even if you have C1 entitlement. There are two reasons for this.

The first reason is that 7.5t trucks are much larger and more difficult to drive than cars. Most car drivers do not have sufficient experience in larger vehicles, so many hire companies think it is too risky to rent these vehicles out to inexperienced drivers.

The second reason is that some hire companies will insist that you must have a goods vehicle operator’s licence to hire a 7.5 tonne lorry. This is legally required if the vehicle will be used for business purposes, although it is not required for personal use such as a DIY house removal.

However, by restricting 7.5t hire to customers with an operator’s licence, hire companies can avoid many of the problems which might result from inexperienced drivers renting these large vehicles.

Hire a 7.5 tonne lorry:

Driving a Minibus

Driving licence rules state that you can drive a minibus with up to 16 passenger seats using a car driving licence, as long as it is not for ‘hire or reward’ – in other words, as long as no one is paying for the minibus service to be provided (cash in hand for fuel, for a social trip is ok).

To drive a minibus for hire or reward, you need category D1 on your driving licence.

Hiring a minibus: Some rental companies will only allow drivers with D1 entitlement to hire a minibus, regardless of whether the minibus is going to be used for ‘hire or reward’. As with some companies’ restrictions on hiring C1 vehicles, this is likely to be due to insurance and risk restrictions.

Ready to hire a minibus?

Disclaimer: All information was believed to be correct when this page was last updated (31 Jan 2018) but vanrental.co.uk will accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from the use of this information. Future changes to the rules may not be notified on this page. If in doubt, check directly for yourself before driving or hiring a vehicle – the gov.uk website has an excellent guide to driving licence categories.

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