Van Hire
in London

Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the leading car hire companies in London, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate offers additional benefits that no other company can match:

• Full vehicle coverage with no excess (applies only to certain rates and itineraries)
• Toll cashback: recover up to 5% of the reservation's total value for toll charges incurred during your hire period
• Premium travel medical assistance, covering up to GBP 100,000 for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of medical emergency, excluding pre-existing conditions
• No Extra Charges© guarantee: if the counter charges you for something not listed on your confirmation and not an optional add-on you accepted, Hola Car Rentals will work to remove or reimburse the charge after verification

All of this at no extra cost, guaranteeing you a unique car hire experience with full protection and peace of mind throughout your trip in London.

No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in London are clearly shown at the time of reservation and in your confirmation email, so you know exactly what you are paying before you arrive at the counter.

On top of that, every Hola Car Rentals booking includes the No Extra Charges© guarantee. This is a pricing guarantee (not insurance) that protects you if the counter in London charges you for something that was not listed on your confirmation and was not an optional add-on you accepted. If that happens, Hola Car Rentals will work with the hire partner to remove or reimburse the charge after verification.

The only costs outside this guarantee are:

• Optional add-ons you choose at the counter (GPS, child seats, prepaid fuel)
• Usage-based charges (tolls, fuel shortfall, traffic fines)

To collect your van hire in London, you must present all documents in physical form. Digital copies are not accepted at the counter.

• Original, unexpired driver's licence in the main driver's name
• Passport (required for visitors from outside the United Kingdom)
• A physical, major credit card in the main driver's name with the name printed on the card, for the security deposit hold
• Your booking confirmation or printed voucher
• Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for foreign visitors)

If your driver's licence is not in English and does not use a Latin (Roman) alphabet, for example Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and must be carried alongside your original licence.

Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the security deposit on a London van hire. Bring a backup credit card in your name in case your primary card is declined.

Yes, a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name is required to hire a van in London.

At pickup the hire partner places a temporary security authorisation hold on your card. For van hires in London the typical hold is around GBP 300 to GBP 400, though the exact amount varies by partner, vehicle class, and season. The hold reduces your available credit until your bank releases it after the van is returned, which can take up to 15 working days.

• The card must be a major credit card (not debit, prepaid, or virtual)
• The driver’s name must be printed on the physical card
• Digital wallets and single-use card numbers are not accepted for the deposit
• Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined

Notify your bank of your travel to London before picking up the van so that a high-value in-person authorisation is not flagged as fraud.

Yes, London operates a Congestion Charge zone in central London, and it can apply to a hire van driven within that area during charging hours.

Beyond the Congestion Charge, London also enforces a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) and an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). Vans that do not meet the required emission standards may be subject to daily charges when driven in these zones. Because vans are often subject to stricter emission thresholds than passenger cars, it is important to confirm the emission standard of your specific van with the hire partner before driving into central London.

• Congestion Charge: applies on weekdays and weekends in the central zone
• ULEZ: covers most of Greater London and applies 24 hours a day, every day
• LEZ: targets heavier vans and commercial vehicles across a wider London area

Tolls and urban driving charges are the driver’s responsibility unless otherwise stated in the hire agreement. Ask the hire partner at the London counter to confirm which charges apply to your van and how they will be billed.

Yes, Hola Car Rentals includes Tolls Cashback on all van hire bookings, including those in London.

London and the wider UK have several road charges that may apply during your van hire, including the Congestion Charge, ULEZ, LEZ, and the M6 Toll if you drive north. Tolls Cashback reimburses you up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during the hire period.

• Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the van
• Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback, followed by your reservation number
• Attach your Hola Car Rentals booking confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a receipt or statement showing the toll charges paid
• Include your full name, travel dates, and the last 4 digits of the card used

Refunds are issued to the original payment method and typically process within 7 to 10 working days after approval. Late submissions received after 30 days are not accepted. This benefit does not mean tolls are included in your London van hire rate; you still pay them normally and claim reimbursement afterwards.

Van hires in London follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy. You receive the van with a full tank and must return it full to avoid extra charges.

• At pickup, check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement
• Take a photo of the dashboard showing the odometer and fuel gauge
• Ask the agent for the nearest petrol stations to the return location
• Refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the return point so the gauge does not drop before you arrive
• Keep the final fuel receipt showing the date, time, and station address

If you return the London van with less fuel than recorded at pickup, the hire partner may charge you for the shortfall at their own refuelling rate, which is typically higher than the pump price, plus a service fee. For after-hours returns, leave the receipt in the key envelope and keep a photo of the full gauge as evidence.

Yes, if you drive your London van hire beyond the city there are additional toll roads to be aware of in the UK.

The main motorway toll is the M6 Toll, a 26-mile stretch in the West Midlands connecting Junction 3a at Coleshill Interchange to Junction 11a at Wolverhampton. Vans typically pay higher rates than standard cars. For example, a non-account holder using all three zones pays more than the standard car rate of GBP 10.30, so confirm the van tariff before travel.

• Most UK toll roads are cashless and use number plate recognition or electronic payment
• Some roads operate on a pay-later basis, meaning charges are billed after your journey
• If you do not pay a pay-later toll during the hire period, you may receive a fine plus an additional charge from the hire partner

Always ask the hire partner at the London counter how toll charges for your van will be processed and billed to avoid unexpected fees after the hire ends.

Yes, you can add an additional driver to your London van hire, either at no cost if your rate includes it or for a daily fee paid at the counter if it does not.

Daily additional driver fees for London van hires vary by brand:

• Avis, Budget, and Payless: GBP 10 per hire day plus taxes, capped at GBP 50 plus taxes
• Hertz, Thrifty, and Dollar: GBP 12 per hire day plus taxes, capped at GBP 150 plus taxes
• Alamo, National, and Enterprise: GBP 14 per day plus taxes

Check your booking confirmation before arriving at the London counter. If it states "Additional driver free of charge," the first extra driver is included at no cost.

Requirements for adding a driver to your London van hire:

• The additional driver must be present at pickup with a valid, physical driver's licence
• They must meet the minimum age requirements (18 and older in London, with a young-driver surcharge for drivers under 25)
• For Avis, Budget, and Payless, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old
• Both the main driver and the additional driver must sign the hire agreement

Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW. If someone not on the contract drives the van, coverage may be void.

For a van hire in London, the two core coverages to understand are Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Third-Party Liability.

CDW reduces your financial liability for damage to the hire van from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible or excess may still apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero. CDW does not cover damage you cause to other people or their property.

In the UK and across the European Union, third-party liability insurance is required by law and is included in the hire price. This covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the van in London.

• Confirm on the hire agreement that CDW is active and note the deductible amount
• Verify that third-party liability is listed as included for your London van hire
• CDW typically excludes tyres, undercarriage, roof, and keys unless a specific add-on is purchased
• Only drivers named on the agreement are covered

If an incident occurs, report it to the hire partner immediately and contact local authorities if required. Delays in reporting can invalidate your cover.

Most bookings include travel assistance provided by Terrawind Global Protection, which can be especially useful if something unexpected happens during your London van hire, such as a medical emergency on a motorway or an accident far from the city.

Core benefits typically included are:

• Travel insurance with medical cover for up to 5 passengers
• Legal assistance in case of an accident
• Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
• Flight cancellation insurance

This cover is separate from CDW/LDW (which covers damage to the van) and third-party liability insurance. It does not cover pre-existing medical conditions.

To reach assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during your London van hire:

• Call: +44 20 7946 0999 (toll-free)
• WhatsApp: +44 7912 345678
• Email: [email protected]

Provide your full name, your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number, your location, and a brief description of the situation. Follow the coordinator's instructions and keep all receipts and reports.

Important: this benefit applies only to non-UK residents. UK residents do not qualify for this travel assistance coverage on their London van hire.

Yes, one-way van hires in London are possible, but a drop-off fee may apply depending on your route, the hire brand, and the vehicle class.

How one-way fees work for van hires in London:

• Same-city airport to downtown: often no drop-off fee
• London to another city in the same region or country: a drop-off fee typically applies and varies by distance and van class
• London to a different country or cross-border: a drop-off fee usually applies and can be significant for larger vans

The drop-off fee is shown during the booking process under the "To pay at destination" section on the rate details page. It cannot be prepaid and is paid at the counter when you pick up the van in London.

If you need to change your return location after booking, be aware that modifying the drop-off point may reprice the entire hire and recalculate the one-way fee. Contact support before making changes to understand the impact on your London van hire cost.

The location of the hire counter for your London van pickup depends on the partner brand shown on your booking confirmation.

At London Heathrow (LHR), hire counters are located in the Heathrow Rental Car Centre, which is connected to the terminals via the free Heathrow Express or a short bus transfer depending on your terminal. At London Gatwick (LGW), counters are typically in a dedicated hire centre accessible by shuttle from the terminal. City centre locations in London operate from street-level or basement facilities and require you to go to the exact address listed on your confirmation.

• Check your booking confirmation for the exact operating brand and address
• Follow car hire signage inside the terminal or hire centre
• If the brand operates from a shared counter, ask airport staff or use the courtesy phone
• For after-hours pickups, review the specific instructions on your confirmation before arriving

Allow extra time when collecting a van in London during busy periods, as larger vehicle classes may require additional checks at the counter.

When you pick up a van in London, the hire partner places a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card. This is not a charge but it reduces your available credit until the van is returned and the hold is released.

For van hires in London the typical hold is around GBP 300 to GBP 400 for standard vehicles, though vans and larger vehicle classes may attract a higher hold amount. The exact figure is set by the hire partner at the counter and may vary by brand, season, and location.

• Only a physical major credit card in the main driver’s name is accepted for the deposit
• Debit cards, prepaid cards, and virtual card numbers are not accepted
• Ensure your card has sufficient available credit to cover the hold plus any expected charges
• After returning the van, the hold is released by the hire partner, but your bank controls when it appears back on your statement, which can take up to 15 working days

Set a travel notice with your bank before arriving in London and bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined at the van hire counter.

If you return your van in London after the agreed drop-off time, the hire partner may charge you for extra hours or an additional day, plus a late fee depending on the partner’s policy.

Most hire partners in London allow a grace period of approximately 30 minutes after the scheduled return time, but this is not guaranteed and varies by company and location. Returning the van even one hour late can trigger a full extra day charge at the local daily rate, which may be higher than your prepaid rate.

• Plan your return journey to the London drop-off location with extra time, especially during busy periods
• If you know you will be late, contact the hire partner directly using the number on your hire agreement
• For returns on public holidays, confirm the branch hours in advance as adjusted schedules may apply
• After-hours key drops are available at some London locations but confirm this with the partner before your hire ends

If you need more time with the van, it is better to request an extension before the scheduled return rather than simply arriving late, as extension rates are often more favourable than late return charges.