The Ultimate Van Hire Guide

Van Hire Guide

Looking to hire a van and not sure where to start? If so, take a look at our van hire guide. Here you will find useful information on everything from driver requirements, to insurance and driving tips.

Type and size of hire van

It is important to plan ahead and decide what you will be putting in the van. How much space will you need? Do you need to take everything with you? How heavy are the items you need to transport? Make sure you check the load space of the vehicle you are hiring and measure all large items you are transporting. Additionally, check the weight limit of the van. Hire a larger van if space is at a premium.  It may cost more to rent a larger vehicle, but it will mean that you will make fewer journeys, saving on fuel and time.

Driver requirements

The driver will generally be required to be over 21. There may also be additional charges for drivers over 65 and those that are under 25. Younger drivers may be restricted in the choice of vehicles that they can drive.  You may also receive extra checks and charges if you have had a conviction of accident in the last few years.

When collecting your hire van, you will often be required to have the following documents:

• Valid driver’s license for ALL named drivers (no copies). You will probably be asked to provide both the paper and card parts of your licence.
• Photo ID. This can be a valid passport, valid government-issued identity card or a valid EU national identity card. Other outlets may only require a utility bill as a second form of identity.
• A valid credit or debit card.

Insurance

Always make sure that you have valid insurance cover in case of an accident (and for any other people who will be driving). This may seem unnecessary; however the chances of you having an accident are higher, as you are driving a vehicle that is unfamiliar than larger than the one currently drive.

The minimum cover you will legally have in your contract is third party cover, which is usually quoted in the price. This will cover any damages to vehicles or person if the accident was found to be your fault. On top of this cover, it is recommended to have a Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). The waiver covers against damage to the vehicle that you may make yourself and any repairs that are needed.

Finally read the small print and comply with the company’s terms and conditions.

Fuel

This varies from company to company, but generally if fuel is not covered in your rental agreement, then you should return the van with the same amount of fuel that was in it when you picked it up.

Driving tips

Remember that your van will be wider, heavier and higher than the car you currently drive. This means that it will be less stable and will take longer to slow down. Familiarise yourself with the mirror set up on the van, as you will have blind spots on that may not have had before. This means that you will need to exercise more care in overtaking and pulling out onto the road. When parking, make sure you use your rear view mirrors and get someone to help you if you are not confident or unsure.

Additionally, don’t forget to consult the Highway Code for information on speed limits for vans, as it is important that you know where and when they apply.

Its probably worth noting that if you are the type who (stupidly) likes to take calls whilst on the road, its probably best not to do it in a rental vehicle, as the consequences could be even bigger then before.

Related articles by Zemanta

• How to Successfully Rent a Car (the-whole-truth.co.uk)
• iPhone Calls Shotgun With New Safe Driver App (geardiary.com)
• Stop the Carnage on South Africa’s Roads! (socialactions.net)