In 2026, it costs from £60 to £180 (+VAT) to hire a van for a day in the UK. But the exact cost is heavily influenced by the size of the van you rent and where you live in the UK. The daily cost of a small van can average from £55 to £75 in the Midlands. But the same van can cost £20 more in the London area.
If you are concerned that you might be overpaying, this guide will help.
Average Daily Van Hire Rates by Size
| Van Type | Average Daily Rate (Excl. VAT) |
| Small Van | £55-£75 |
| Medium Van (SWB) | £75-£100 |
| Large Van (LWB) | £95-£130 |
| Luton Van | £130-£180 |
How Much to Hire a Van in Total?
The total daily cost of hiring a van (considering the extras of daily ownership) is between £70 and £150. But why is the total cost of hiring a van higher than the basic vehicle hire rate? Because of the:
- The Refundable Deposit: Many van hire companies in the UK require a deposit of £200 to £500. This expenditure is held on your card and released once your hire is over.
- The Fuel Policy: Depending on your rental provider, they may run on a Full-to-Full or Pre-Purchase fuel policy. Full-to-Full means you must return the van with the same level of fuel it had when you collected it. And Pre-Purchase means you have a set amount of fuel to use for your hire.
- Insurance Excess: Standard insurance excess policies often range from £1,000 to £2,000. But with a Collision Damage Waiver, you can reduce your excess to £0 for an additional cost of £15-£30 a day.
Do I Need Insurance When Renting a Van?
Yes, you need insurance when renting a van. All van hires include Third-Party Liability insurance as standard, but not all include Damage Excess Waivers. So, although you don’t need to organise insurance yourself, it is worth considering the extra protections your hiring company offers.
Additional insurances can decrease your excess by thousands of pounds. So, in the event of an accident, you pay a fraction of what you could have been liable for, if anything at all.
Third-Party Liability insurance covers:
- Defence costs if you receive a legal notice as a result of an accident.
- Damage to other people’s property, including vehicles, buildings, fences and lamp posts.
- Medical expenses, compensation, and legal costs for other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
It does NOT cover:
- Theft of the van.
- Any damage you cause to your hired van.
- Injuries to yourself, as the driver of your hire van.
- Damage caused to cargo.
Collision Damage Waivers do not cover:
- Damage to the roof.
- Damage to the undercarriage.
- Windscreens, mirrors and tyres.
- Interior damage, including stains, burns, and damage to the loading bay.
- Filling up with the wrong type of fuel. In the case of electric vans, this includes using the wrong charger.
How Much do Unlimited Mileage Deals Cost for Hired Vans?
Unlimited mileage deals for hired vans cost approximately £38 per day. This additional package helps hirers avoid the per-mile excess costs that rental companies usually charge. And these by-the-mile costs can range from 10p to 20p per mile. So it is definitely worth looking into.
Important Note: Some unlimited mileage packages still have a reasonable cap. So, thoroughly review your policy to ensure you fully understand the limits and avoid incurring unexpected costs.
Does Van Hire Cost More at the Weekend?
Depending on the rental company you choose, hiring a van at the weekend can be significantly more expensive. Some larger vehicle providers can charge 30% to 50% more on a Saturday than, say, a Tuesday. Consider hiring on a Friday-to-Monday weekend deal rather than a single day, as it could be cheaper.
What are Senior and Young Driver Surcharges on Vehicle Hire?
Senior and young driver surcharges are daily, added costs applied by car rental companies to offset higher insurance premiums. They cost between £20 and £40 per day, and you may be subject to these costs if you are under 25 or over 69. Similar to every aspect of hiring a vehicle, the exact costs depend on your hiring provider. So, review and compare policies with different companies to ensure you get the coverage you need at the best price.
Do I Have to Pay ULEZ Charges in a Hired Van?
If you are driving in London with a van that isn’t ULEZ-compliant, you are liable to pay ULEZ charges. These costs can add a £12.50 and £15 daily charge on top of your hire. So if you plan to drive in the ULEZ zone, prioritise hiring a ULEZ-compliant vehicle over anything else.
Learn More About the Costs Associated With the ULEZ Zone now
What Penalty Fees are there on Hired Vans?
Common penalties for hired vans include late return, cleaning, and PCN admin fees. You can avoid these additional costs in a few simple steps, which are as follows:
- Late Return Fees – Return the vehicle slightly early. Many companies charge an extra day if you return the van even 59 minutes late.
- Cleaning Fees – Return the vehicle in as close to immaculate condition as possible. If your van is excessively dirty, your hire company may charge you a £25-£50 valeting fee.
- PCN Admin Fees – Do not get a parking ticket. Your rental provider will organise the payment of the fine. But they will charge a £25-£40 administration fee to do so.
Is it Worth Renting a Van?
Whether you need it for a one-day hire or a long-term business contract, renting a van is definitely worth it. Despite the associated costs, hiring a van is usually much cheaper than buying one upfront. Not to mention, maintenance, servicing, and depreciation are not your problem.
As long as you treat your rented van with respect and fully understand your coverage, a rental van is a great solution.
Need Van Hire in London?
Fairview Vehicle Hire is one of the UK’s largest independent vehicle rental companies. With over 2,200 ULEZ-compliant hire vans in our fleet, we’re sure to have what you need, for as long as you need it. And, thanks to not being tied to manufacturers or quotas, we offer some of the most competitive rates on the market.
Using our website and app-based booking systems, you can formulate your own quote. Step by step, you can see the charges for your van hire, and include any add-ons you need. We don’t believe in pushy sales tactics. For this reason, we leave the booking to you. But we are also available by phone and WhatsApp to answer any questions you have.
Choose Fairview Vehicle Hire for complete pricing transparency and the best rates available today.