Hiring a van can be extremely helpful if you’re moving house, sorting out your garden, or need some extra space in your vehicle for a while. You may be wondering if it is the right option for you, however, and whether you could actually hire one.
To help you make the right decision, here’s what you need to know about van hire in the UK.
Can I drive a hire van?
One of the first questions many people have when contacting a specialist in van hire in Bristol or elsewhere, such as Autolyne for example, is whether they have the right driving licence to drive a van. The answer is that if you have a valid standard UK driving licence you can drive a van under 3.5 tonnes, and this is the majority of vans available to hire for personal use in the UK.
It is worth noting, however, that most vans have manual transmissions. So, you will probably need a full licence rather than just an automatic licence to hire a van. You may also have had to hold your licence for at least a year.
What about endorsements?
You may also have to give evidence of driving endorsements. This includes those for speeding offences. For all the information you need on this you can log onto the government website here. You can then print out your licence summary or generate a code for your chosen hire company to use.
Are there age limits?
The minimum age for van hire Bristol and elsewhere in the UK will depend on what rental company you choose. Most will want you to be at least 22 years old, but some do accept 21-year-old drivers while others will want you to be 23 or older. How old you need to be may also vary according to the size of the van you want to hire.
There is no official maximum age limit, although some companies do set an upper limit of 75 years old. Therefore, it is important to check with individual firms if in doubt.
