The Top 5 Best Van Rentals in London That You Can Trust

Whether you need a parking permit for a van in the UK highly depends on which public road you plan to park the van on as regulations can vary based on your borough or city. If you are planning to park it in your private driveway, there usually is no need for a permit. Careful research is important and can be done by going to the city or borough’s website or even by calling them to be sure. Once you know that you need a permit, apply for it with the local authorities and make sure to ask for longer access just in case your removal goes on longer than planned. Parking permits will typically cost between £35 and £75 so it’s important to plan your budget accordingly.

It is likely that the size van you need for your removal will be suggested to you either on the van hire company’s website or by a representative in person. You will be required to disclose some characteristics of your home such as: type of property, size of property, estimated number of items or boxes you will have, and more. For example, a 3.5-ton Luton is one of the most used vans for removals in the UK and can hold the items of a two-bedroom flat or small house so about 40 boxes and other essential bulky items like a dining table or fridge. There is also the Long Wheels Base (LWB) Transit van for smaller removals like 1–2-bedroom flats. Here is a table to help you determine which size van you will need for your removal:

The cost to hire a van is usually determined based on the type of plan you choose: the general flat rate fee or the hourly fee. For hourly rentals, many van hire companies will ask for two hours as a minimum and may impose additional costs based on distance or their own Terms & Conditions. When it comes to flat rates, many companies will offer a flat rate for the entire day or in 4-hour blocks. Here’s the average cost to hire a van for a day:

It is a good idea to get van insurance during your removal as it is likely that damage to your van rental won’t be covered by your existing insurance. While loading all your items inside you may accidentally scratch the van and even a small scratch can cost you lots of money. Most van hire companies will offer insurance at a low cost in case of damage to the vehicle. As for your personal items, it is recommended to check with your personal insurance to see if they are covered in case of any damage during the move.

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency you will need a special licence to drive a van if it’s more than 3.5 tons: anything over that weight, including popular 7.5-tonne lorry hires, require a special licence. For a midsize van under 4.25 tons, you will need a category B driver’s licence and a category E if you plan to attach a trailer to it.

Yes, many van hire companies offer one way rentals, but they are usually more expensive. One way van hires are typically for when you rent a truck from one location and return it to another location to the same company or an affiliated one. People tend to rent one way when the distance is longer than a typical local removal (over 60 miles). Their costs are generally higher than the average daily or hourly rate for van hires as companies have to transport the van back to the starting location since some places are much more in demand than others.