Frequently Asked Questions: Vehicle Hire in Kent

Yes, for vehicles up to and including 7.5 tonnes, comprehensive cover is built into the hire for drivers who have been approved on the booking. An excess still applies, and the policy doesn't stretch to goods in transit, overhead-height, tyre, windscreen or flood damage. Anyone hiring an 18, 26 or 44 tonne vehicle needs to source their own approved company insurance, along with whatever operator credentials that requires.

Let the team know upfront how far you plan to travel and what the vehicle is for. Eligible hires come with unlimited mileage under our current fair-use terms, though courier work is never permitted under any circumstances. Any other delivery-style or high-mileage use needs written acceptance in advance and could bring excess-mile charges.

Once the address, access, timing and vehicle are all agreed beforehand, free delivery and collection is available to an eligible home or workplace on the UK mainland. Stations, airports, ports and unoccupied properties where you aren't registered sit outside this standard service, and any failed attempt, late change or specialist arrangement may add extra cost.

European travel needs to be set up with the team before the hire begins, covering the vehicle, destination, permission, insurance, breakdown cover, documentation and any associated charges. One-way hire only runs between UK mainland postcodes, so a European one-way booking isn't something we can offer.

It can be, on selected vehicles, once the pick-up and drop-off points, vehicle availability and one-way charge have all been agreed. This applies to journeys between eligible UK mainland postcodes only; islands and any European route are excluded.

Not as standard, no. A collision damage waiver may be available on certain vehicles to bring the excess down, and the booking team will be able to talk you through which options apply to the vehicle you have in mind.

Ring the booking team on 01273 115710 during opening hours and have your vehicle type, hire dates, delivery or collection details, driver information and journey requirements ready. Everything is arranged over the phone.

Speak to the team about the deposit and refund conditions that apply before the vehicle is handed over. Most eligible UK hires operate on a no-deposit basis, but the supplying provider retains the right to ask for one depending on the area, vehicle, driver circumstances or overseas use.

Yes. The vehicle should come back with the fuel level that was agreed and confirmed at the start of the hire. Where fuel is missing, the cost may be charged directly or taken from a deposit if one was held, in line with the terms agreed beforehand.

We can generally accept credit cards along with other business payment methods, such as corporate purchasing cards and approved BACS transfers. Some methods may be subject to checks before your booking is confirmed.

It helps to have your preferred vehicle or size, how long you need it for, the delivery or collection date and time, driver and additional driver details, your contact information, and the relevant address and postcodes. If you're not sure which vehicle fits the job, the team can help you work it out.

Check your licence details with the team before booking. Current general policy calls for a valid, in-date licence held for a minimum of two years, and drivers are normally accepted between the ages of 23 and 70, subject to the vehicle group, entitlement, points, convictions and insurer approval. Larger minibuses and trucks can also require D1, C1 or other specific entitlement, plus commercial-use checks.

Vehicles come through our rental network and are expected to meet the supplying provider's maintenance and roadworthiness standards, with any faults or upkeep remaining that provider's responsibility. The exact make, model, age and specification are confirmed at the point of booking rather than promised in advance.

If you're heading into an approved EU country, arrange European cover with the team before the hire starts, confirming the insurance, breakdown cover, documentation and any charges involved. This isn't granted automatically, and it doesn't cover one-way European hire.

No, satnav units aren't currently part of the rental, so bring your own navigation for the journey.

Compare the categories printed on the back of your licence with the vehicle's weight or seating capacity before you book. Standard UK category B entitlement typically covers vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes and no more than nine seats including the driver, while larger minibuses, trucks and specialist vehicles can call for additional entitlement.

Every named driver needs confirming before booking. Current general policy normally accepts drivers between 23 and 70 who hold a valid licence of at least two years' standing, although the car group, licence history, insurer approval and intended use can all influence the outcome.

Match the van to the load: a small van handles tools and boxes well, medium and long-wheelbase vans suit furniture or trade equipment, and a Luton van is better suited to bulky house-move items. Confirm the height, payload and loading access before you book.

For a standard minibus with 15 or 17 seats in total, suppliers normally set a minimum driver age of 25 and expect category D1 entitlement. Both totals count the driver. A sub-3.5-tonne Lite Bus may be considered under different licensing criteria, but only where the supplier confirms that particular vehicle. Before reserving it, ask the team to assess the driver's age and licence categories alongside the passenger number, planned journey, use and insurer's approval.

Not necessarily. Category B normally permits a vehicle carrying the driver plus no more than eight passengers. Standard 15- and 17-seat minibuses usually need D1; these numbers also count the driver. Eligibility for a supplier-confirmed Lite Bus below 3.5 tonnes is assessed separately. The team must check the chosen vehicle's weight, intended journey and use, the driver's age and licence, and the insurer's decision before accepting the booking.

The range commonly offers total capacities of 7, 9, 12, 15 or 17 people, one of whom is the driver. Reserve against the actual passenger count and discuss luggage separately, since a seat total does not establish the space left for bags. Available vehicles and driver eligibility must be checked for your requested dates before a booking is confirmed.

It depends on the job, so talk the team through your intended use, the vehicle's weight, your driver details and how it will be operated. Business use of certain commercial vehicles can call for an operator's licence, whereas personal use may not, but this always needs confirming before the booking goes ahead.

Tell the team your full operating schedule before booking, as truck mileage is governed by our current fair-use and commercial-use terms. Courier work is not permitted under any circumstances, and other delivery-style or high-mileage use requires separate written acceptance and could bring excess-mile charges.

Ask about the available truck or articulated combination, its permitted weight, the load you need to carry and the required licence and operator checks. Gross vehicle weight is the maximum permitted total weight of a vehicle when loaded, including fuel, the driver, passengers and goods. It is not the payload. The usable payload is lower and must be confirmed for the specific vehicle; an articulated combination has a separate permitted train weight.