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Frequently Asked Questions
What does my van hire in the United States through Hola Car Rentals include that other companies don't offer?
Hola Car Rentals is the only premium partner of the top car hire brands operating in the United States, giving you exclusive access to our All Inclusive+ rate. This rate includes benefits that no other company can match:
- Free liability coverage starting at US$ 300,000 in case of an accident (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 providing up to US$ 150,000 in coverage for a maximum of 5 passengers in case of a 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 comes at no extra cost, ensuring a fully protected car hire experience and peace of mind throughout your trip in the United States.
Will I face unexpected charges when I hire a van in the United States through Hola Car Rentals?
No. With Hola Car Rentals, all costs and charges for your booking in the United States 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 the United States 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)
What van types are available to hire in the United Kingdom?
Van hires in the United Kingdom typically fall into three categories, available through major brands such as Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, Budget, and National at airports and city locations nationwide.
- Minivans (7 to 8 passengers): models such as the Chrysler Voyager or Toyota Sienna, ideal for families
- 12-passenger vans: Ford Transit or Chevrolet Express
- 15-passenger vans: Ford Transit Wagon, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, or Chevrolet Express, suited for large groups
Availability varies by location and season. Major airports including LHR, LGW, MCO, MIA, ATL, DFW, ORD, DEN, and LAS stock a wide selection of van options. Booking in advance is strongly recommended, especially for larger passenger vans, as fleet sizes are limited compared to standard cars.
What documents do I need to pick up a van hire in the United Kingdom?
To pick up a van hire in the United Kingdom, you must present the following physical documents at the counter. Digital copies are not accepted.
- A valid, original driving licence in the main driver's name
- A major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card, in the main driver's name, for the authorisation hold
- A passport or valid government-issued photo ID
- Your booking confirmation or printed voucher (required for certain hires)
- Round-trip flight or cruise tickets (required for visitors from abroad)
If your driving licence uses a non-Latin alphabet (such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Cyrillic), an International Driving Permit (IDP) is mandatory alongside your original licence. For licences in other non-English scripts, an IDP is strongly recommended. The IDP is a translation only and cannot be used without your original licence.
Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted for the authorisation hold on a van hire in the United Kingdom.
What is the minimum age to hire a van in the United Kingdom?
The minimum age to hire a van in the United Kingdom without a surcharge is 25. Drivers aged 21 to 24 may hire in most areas but will be charged a daily young-driver surcharge, and van categories are typically restricted to drivers aged 25 and older.
This is an important distinction for van hires specifically: passenger vans, minivans, and cargo vans are listed among the vehicle classes that most hire partners in the United Kingdom restrict to drivers aged 25 and above. If you are under 25, you may not be able to book a van regardless of the surcharge.
- London and Scotland: hire companies are required by law to hire to licensed drivers aged 18 and older, though a young-driver surcharge still applies
- All other areas: 25 is the standard minimum; drivers aged 21 to 24 may hire smaller vehicle classes only
Always confirm van availability for your age group at your specific pick-up location in the United Kingdom before booking.
How do toll roads work when hiring a van in the United Kingdom?
Toll roads across the United Kingdom are mostly cashless, and your van hire will come equipped with an electronic toll device or be enrolled in a plate-based billing system. There are very few cash toll booths remaining.
At the counter, you will typically have two options for your van hire:
- Unlimited toll package: a fixed daily rate of approximately GBP 8 to GBP 20 per day, depending on the hire company and location, covering all tolls during the hire period
- Pay-per-use: you drive through tolls normally and the hire company charges the actual toll amount plus an administrative processing fee to your credit card, often weeks after the hire ends
Toll systems vary by region in the United Kingdom. Common ones include the Dart Charge (M25 motorway), M6 Toll, and the Severn Crossings. If you drive your van into London’s Congestion Charge zone, a daily charge applies during peak hours, billed separately.
If you opt out of the hire company's toll programme, you can use your own visitor toll pass, but inform the counter agent so they can deactivate the van's default device and avoid duplicate charges.
Can I get a Tolls Cashback when hiring a van in the United Kingdom?
Yes, all van hire bookings made through Hola Car Rentals in the United Kingdom include Tolls Cashback, which reimburses up to 5% of your total booking value for tolls paid during your hire.
The United Kingdom has an extensive network of toll roads, from the Dart Charge in the M25 to the M6 Toll and the Severn Crossings. Whether you pay through the hire company's transponder programme or a personal visitor pass, you can claim cashback after your van hire ends.
To claim your Tolls Cashback:
- Email [email protected] within 30 days of returning the van
- Include your Hola Car Rentals reservation confirmation, the signed hire agreement, and a toll receipt or itemised invoice showing charges paid
- Use the subject line: Tolls Cashback - HOLA[your confirmation number]
Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 7 to 10 business days after approval. Late submissions (after 30 days) are not accepted. Note that Tolls Cashback does not mean tolls are included in your van hire rate; you still pay tolls normally and claim reimbursement afterwards.
How much is the security deposit for a van hire in the United Kingdom?
For a van hire in the United Kingdom, the security deposit is placed as a temporary authorisation hold on your credit card at the counter. The typical hold for standard vehicles in the United Kingdom is approximately GBP 200 to GBP 400, but van hires may carry a higher hold due to the vehicle's value and class.
The hold is not a charge; it reduces your available credit until the hire company releases it after you return the van. Your bank controls how quickly the hold disappears, which can take up to 15 business days after release.
- Only a major credit card with the driver's name printed on the card is accepted for the deposit
- Debit cards and prepaid cards are not accepted
- The card must be in the main driver's name and presented physically at the counter
- Bring a backup credit card in case your primary card is declined
The exact deposit amount for your van hire in the United Kingdom is set by the hire company at the counter and may vary by location, brand, season, and vehicle class. Notify your bank of your travel dates to prevent the authorisation from being flagged as suspicious.
Can I do a one-way van hire between regions in the United Kingdom?
Yes, one-way van hires between different areas or regions in the United Kingdom are generally available through major hire brands, but a drop-off fee will typically apply and must be reviewed before booking.
The drop-off fee is route-specific and varies by hire company, distance, vehicle class, and season. For van hires in particular, repositioning fees can be higher than for standard cars due to the vehicle size and limited fleet availability at certain locations.
- Same-area airport to city centre: often no drop-off fee
- Area to area within the same region: a drop-off fee usually applies
- Cross-region routes: a drop-off fee almost always applies and can be significant
- Remote locations or islands: one-way van hires may not be permitted at all
During the booking process, the drop-off fee for your van hire in the United Kingdom will be shown under the "To pay at destination" section on the rate details page. This fee cannot be prepaid and is paid directly to the hire company at collection. Always confirm the fee before finalising your booking, as changing the return location after booking may reprice the entire reservation.
What insurance do I need for a van hire in the United Kingdom?
For a van hire in the United Kingdom, two types of coverage are most important to understand before you pick up the vehicle.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) or Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) reduces your financial liability for damage to the van itself from a collision, theft, or vandalism. A deductible may apply unless your confirmation explicitly states zero. CDW/LDW does not cover damage you cause to other vehicles or people.
Third-Party Liability (LIS/ALI/SLI) covers bodily injury and property damage you may cause to others while driving the van. In the United Kingdom, not all regions require hire companies to include minimum liability cover, so this is not automatically guaranteed on every van hire. Hola Car Rentals strongly recommends adding Liability Insurance Supplementary (up to GBP 250,000) to your van hire booking.
- CDW/LDW: covers the hire van for damage and theft, subject to deductible
- LIS/ALI/SLI: covers third parties you may injure or whose property you may damage
- PAI (Personal Accident Insurance): covers your own injuries, if purchased separately
Van hire insurance in the United Kingdom can cost GBP 20 to GBP 80 per day for full coverage at the counter. Third-party options purchased before collection are generally less expensive. Review your booking confirmation to confirm which protections are already included in your rate.
What extra fees and taxes should I expect on a van hire in the United Kingdom?
Van hires in the United Kingdom often carry fees beyond the base daily rate. These charges vary by region, city, and airport, and can add a significant amount to your total cost.
- Airport surcharge (Air Passenger Duty or similar): mandatory at on-airport locations, typically 10% to 20% of the base rate
- Regional or local taxes: vary by area, generally 5% to 15%
- Vehicle licensing recovery fee (VLRF): a per-day charge passed on by the hire company
- Congestion charges: applied in central London and other cities
- Tourism levies: added in certain jurisdictions
Hiring your van at an off-airport location in the United Kingdom can reduce costs by avoiding some of these airport-specific fees, typically saving GBP 8 to GBP 20 per day. However, you will need to arrange transportation to the off-airport branch.
Your booking confirmation will show which taxes and fees are included in your prepaid rate and which are due at the counter under "To pay at destination." The No Extra Charges© guarantee protects you if fees that were marked as included are incorrectly charged at collection for your van hire in the United Kingdom.
What is the fuel policy for a van hire in the United Kingdom?
Van hires in the United Kingdom follow a Full-to-Full fuel policy by default. You receive the van with a full tank and must return it full to avoid fuel charges.
Vans in the United Kingdom typically get 12 to 18 miles per gallon, which is considerably lower than a standard car. Fuel costs can therefore be a meaningful part of your total van hire budget, especially on longer trips across regions.
- At collection: check the fuel gauge with the agent and confirm the starting level is recorded on the hire agreement. Take a photo of the dashboard.
- During the hire: use the correct fuel type (petrol or diesel). Wrong-fuel incidents are not covered and may generate additional charges.
- At return: refuel within approximately 10 miles or 15 km of the return location. Keep the receipt showing the date, time, and station address.
If you return the van in the United Kingdom with less than a full tank, you may be charged for the fuel shortfall at the hire company's rate (often higher than pump price) plus a refuelling service fee. Petrol and diesel are widely available at over 150,000 stations nationwide, so finding a station near your return location is straightforward.
Can I add an additional driver to my van hire in the United Kingdom?
Yes, you can add an additional driver to your van hire in the United Kingdom, but fees and eligibility rules apply depending on your rate and the hire brand.
Some rates include one additional driver at no extra cost. If your booking confirmation shows "Additional driver free of charge," the first extra driver is covered. Otherwise, daily fees apply at the counter:
- 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 168 plus taxes
- Alamo, National, and Enterprise: GBP 13 per day plus taxes
For van hires in the United Kingdom, the additional driver must be present at the counter at collection with a valid driving licence and must meet the same minimum age requirements. For Avis, Budget, and Payless, additional drivers must generally be at least 25 years old. Only drivers listed on the hire agreement are covered by protections such as CDW/LDW and liability insurance. Never allow an unlisted person to drive the van.
Does Travel Assistance apply to my van hire in the United Kingdom?
Travel Assistance is included with most Hola Car Rentals bookings, but there is an important eligibility restriction: this benefit does not apply to residents of the United Kingdom or Ireland. If you are travelling to the United Kingdom from another country and hiring a van, you are likely eligible.
Travel Assistance is provided by Terrawind Global Protection and covers up to 5 passengers per event. It is particularly relevant for van hires in the United Kingdom given the long distances involved in cross-region travel, where a medical emergency or flight disruption far from home could be costly.
- Medical coverage for non-pre-existing illnesses and accidents during your trip
- Legal assistance in the event of an accident
- Compensation for luggage lost by the airline
- Flight cancellation insurance
To reach assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, call the toll-free number listed on your booking confirmation or contact Terrawind via WhatsApp at +44 20 8100 1001 or by email at [email protected]. Have your Hola Car Rentals confirmation number ready. This benefit does not cover damage to the van itself (that is CDW/LDW) or third-party liability (that is LIS/ALI/SLI).
How do I return a van hire at airports in the United Kingdom?
Returning a van hire at airports in the United Kingdom follows a straightforward process, but the specific return area varies by airport and hire brand.
- Most major airports in the United Kingdom have a consolidated Rental Car Centre (RCC) separate from the terminal. Follow signs for "Car Hire Return" from the airport road network.
- At airports such as LHR, LGW, MCO, MIA, ORD, and SFO, the return lot is located at or near the Rental Car Centre, which is typically reached by a dedicated road or tunnel from the terminal area.
- Return the van with a full tank of fuel before arriving at the lot. Refuel within approximately 10 miles of the airport to avoid the hire company's higher refuelling rate.
- Park in the designated return bay for your brand, leave the keys as instructed (with an agent or in a key drop box for after-hours returns), and collect your final receipt.
For after-hours van returns in the United Kingdom, some hire brands offer key drop boxes at the return lot. Confirm this option in your hire agreement before your trip, as liability for the van may continue until the company formally checks it in. Keep photos of the van's condition at return as documentation. Your final receipt for the van hire in the United Kingdom can be requested from the hire company if not provided automatically.
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