Whether you are looking to hire a van for personal use or for a specific business need, there are plenty of options available. Here we will take a quick look at what is widely available and what you need to know before you get on the road.
Types of van
Depending on why you need the van in the first place, there are a number of options you might need to look at. Some depend on the weight of the cargo you need to transport, together with the number of passengers you will be transporting. Let’s take a quick look at the types of vans that are available.
Smaller vans, such as the Peugeot Partner, will drive in a familiar fashion to the cars with which most hirers will be familiar. Clearly, the cargo you can load is limited.
Medium sized vans, such as the ubiquitous Ford Transit in its various guises offer more space and are still suitable for car drivers.
The next step up is generally a Luton van which is the largest van you can drive on a standard driving licence.
What to look out for when hiring a van
If you are in the west country and are looking for van hire in Bristol, for example, you will find a range of options online at specialists such as Autolyne.
Before you decide on which kind of van to hire, you will need to review precisely what you need it for and whether you are authorised to drive it on your current licence. Depending upon the age of your licence, you can drive a vehicle up to 3,500kg on a standard UK licence.
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997, you may be required to take additional tests before driving a vehicle weighing between 3,500kg and 7,500kg or towing a trailer with your van.
Whatever your requirements, you should find plenty of options in the UK market, ranging from small vans through to larger vehicles, some with tail lifts or even a tipper truck mechanism.
