Van hire for moving house
What it costs to hire a van in the UK, which size your home needs and what your car licence lets you drive. Then compare it with a man and van, where the driver and the lifting come with the van.
Prefer a driver with the van?
Man and van prices from real bookings in your city.
Van hire prices
What van hire really costs
Typical day rates across the UK, by van size. Ask the hire firm for its exact price.
Small van
Short wheelbase, up to 3.5 tonnes
£55 to £90 a day
Best for a studio or single room
Large van
Long wheelbase, up to 3.5 tonnes
£75 to £130 a day
Best for a 1 to 2 bedroom flat
Luton van
Box body, 3.5 tonnes
£120 to £180 a day
Best for a 2 to 3 bedroom house
Typical rates from UK hire firms in 2026. Some quote without VAT, so check whether the price includes it, and confirm the mileage allowance and insurance excess before you book.
Is a cheap headline rate real?
Yes, but it is the starting point, not the bill. The lowest advertised rate is usually the smallest van on a weekday, with a mileage limit. Weekends, bigger vans, extra miles and excess cover all add to it, so the price you pay at the counter is rarely the one in the advert.
Van sizes
Which van do you need?
Load space, what it fits, and whether your car licence covers it.
| Van | Load space | Licence | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small vanShort wheelbase | 3 to 3.5 m³ | Car licence | A studio or single room, a few boxes and one or two pieces of furniture |
| Medium vanUp to 3.5 tonnes | 6 to 7 m³ | Car licence | A 1 bedroom flat |
| Large vanLong wheelbase | About 13 m³ | Car licence | A 1 to 2 bedroom flat or a small 2 bedroom house |
| Luton vanBox body, 3.5 tonnes | 16 to 18 m³ | Car licence | A 2 to 3 bedroom house with all its furniture |
| 7.5 tonne lorryBox body | 30 to 34 m³ | C1 licence | A 4 bedroom house or more in one trip |
A standard car licence (category B) covers vans up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass, which includes most Luton vans. A 7.5 tonne lorry needs category C1. If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997, your licence usually includes C1 already, and you can check your entitlement on GOV.UK. Load space varies by model, so check the exact van before you book.
Move size
How big is your move?
The van that takes a typical home in one trip. A home with more furniture than most may need the next size up.
| Home | Van for one trip |
|---|---|
| Studio or single room | Small van |
| 1 bedroom flat | Medium van |
| 1 to 2 bedroom flat | Large van |
| 2 to 3 bedroom house | Luton van |
| 4 bedroom house or larger | 7.5 tonne lorry, or two trips in a Luton van |
From the URemovals van size guide, the same one used on every city page.
What the day rate leaves out
What people forget to add to the bill
A hire van looks cheap until moving day is over.
Fuel
Most firms hand the van over full and charge to refill it if it comes back short. A Luton uses far more diesel than a car.
Extra miles
Many day rates include 100 to 250 miles. Go over and firms commonly charge 10p to 25p a mile, plus VAT.
Insurance excess
Damage the van and you usually pay the first £1,000 to £2,000. Cover to reduce that typically costs £10 to £30 a day.
Your time
Collecting, loading, driving, unloading and returning it. If the yard shuts before you finish, you pay for a second day.
The lifting
No trolley, no straps and no one trained to carry a sofa down a flight of stairs.
Damaged furniture
No blankets and no straps, and the hire insurance covers the van, not the things inside it.
Favours owed
Friends who give up a Saturday to help will want the same from you on their moving day.
Now put a man and van next to that bill
One hourly price covers the van, the driver and the miles for your job, from £20 per hour on URemovals. Enter your move to see real prices from drivers who cover your area.
See man and van pricesQuestions
Common questions about van hire
How much does it cost to hire a van for a day?
As a rough guide, a small van costs £55 to £90 a day, a large van £75 to £130 and a Luton van £120 to £180. Fuel, extra miles, excess cover and a second day if you need two trips all come on top.
What size van can I drive on a car licence?
A standard car licence (category B) lets you drive a van up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass, which covers most Luton vans. Anything heavier, such as a 7.5 tonne lorry, needs category C1. Drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997 usually hold C1 already.
What size van do I need for a 2 bedroom house?
A 2 bedroom house usually fills a Luton van in one trip. A 2 bedroom flat with average furniture usually fits a large van.
Can I hire a van one way?
Some national hire firms offer one-way hire, usually for an extra fee, so you can drop the van near your new home. Check the fee and the drop-off locations before you book.
Is van hire cheaper than a man and van?
For a short local move with friends to help, van hire can cost less. Add fuel, excess cover, extra miles and a second day, and a man and van often comes close, with the driving and lifting done for you. Enter your move to see real man and van prices and compare.
Keep the van as plan B
Enter your move once and see real prices from man and van drivers who cover your area. If hiring a van still works out cheaper, you have lost nothing. Checking prices is free.
See man and van pricesWhat would a man and van charge you?
£45 to £85 an hour
80% of completed URemovals jobs fall in this range. Prices start at £20 per hour.
- The van, the driver and the miles in one price
- No driving a van you have never driven
- No asking friends to lift, so no favours to repay
- Free to check prices, no card needed
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