What licence do I need to drive a van?

To put it simply, you don’t need a special licence to drive the majority of conventional vans. However, your age, the date you passed your test and the exact weight of the van you intend to drive are all factors that can have an effect on whether you’re allowed to drive a van supplied by us here at Intack Self Drive.

We’ve been offering fantastic deals on van hire through our daily van hire and Flexi van hire services for over 50 years! So if you’re looking to rent a vehicle with us, but you’re not sure if you meet the requirements, here’s what you need to know.

Will my standard driving licence be enough?

The short answer, yes. However, there are a few conditions. A UK driving licence (category B) allows you to drive conventional, rigid-axle vans or pick-up trucks that weigh up to 3.5 tonnes (which means pretty much most light vans). However, if you want to drive anything bigger than this, you’ll have to acquire a category C1 licence, which will allow you to drive vehicles that weigh between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. A category C1 E licence will allow you to drive vehicles weighing up to 7.5 tonnes, with a trailer over 750kg, and combined weight of up to 12,000kg.

Does it matter when I passed my test?

Simply put, yes. You’ll need to be at least 25 years old to hire a car or van from us here at Intack. (For large cars, we require drivers to be over 30 years of age.) Generally you need to be at least 23 years old to hire a car anywhere in the UK, and you need to have held your driving licence for at least a year. However, if you’re hiring a car abroad, it’s worth bearing in mind that the age restrictions vary from country to country.

Generally speaking though, if you’re purchasing a van, you can drive one that weighs less than 3.5 tonnes from the age of 17, provided you’re in possession of a full UK driving licence.

How do I find out what sort of licence I have?

If you’re unsure of the kind of licence you hold, the first thing to do is check the information on the back. There are four columns on the back of a modern driving licence - the left-hand column displays the categories of vehicle you can gain a licence for. The central columns show the start and expiration date of when you’re allowed to drive a particular vehicle, and the column on the right is for displaying licence codes and conditions (such as if you require glasses and so on).

Can I still hire a van with penalty points on my licence?

At Intack Self Drive, we can accept up to 6 points for certain offences. If you have any points on your licence, please confirm with the rental operator when booking your vehicle.

So, to recap - if you’re renting a van from us, you’ll need to be at least 25 years old, having had your driving licence for at least a year. Generally speaking though, if you’re purchasing a van outright, a full UK driving licence (category B) entitles you to drive conventional, rigid-axle vans or pick-ups that weigh up to 3.5 tonnes, meaning you’re eligible to purchase one from the age of 17 if you like!

With all the basics covered, that should be enough information to let you know whether you’re eligible to rent a vehicle with is us or not. It couldn’t be easier to rent a vehicle with us here at Intack Self Drive - all of our rental vehicles come with the option to rent through daily hire, or our unique Flexi hire service, so whatever your needs, we’ll have a vehicle that suits your requirements. We’ve got almost half a century of car hire, minibus hire and van hire experience under our belt here at Intack Self Drive, and we’re always here to help. Ready to get started? You can browse the best hire deals right here on our site, or give us a call on 01254 57811!