What Documents You Need to Rent a Van

What documents you need to rent a van

To rent a van, you need a category B driving licence and two valid identity documents in total. We don't ask you for anything else. No registration, no user account, no letter from your employer and no bank statement.

Category B driving licence

An ordinary driving licence is enough; no special entitlement is required. The vans we rent fall into the category covered by category B. Do check its validity, though — licences are issued for a limited period, and an expired document is a problem at a roadside check that is dealt with under the rules of the road.

Watch out for an automatic-only restriction

All our vehicles have a manual gearbox. If your driving entitlement is restricted to automatic vehicles only, you can't drive the van. It's a note on the licence that many drivers don't notice, and finding out about it only in the car park next to the vehicle is an unnecessary complication.

A second identity document

Besides your driving licence, you need one more document. In practice, this is most often an ID card or a passport. The purpose is to verify that the vehicle really is being picked up by the person named in the contract. Both documents must be valid and legible; we won't accept a damaged or expired document.

Payment card

A card isn't a document, but you can't book without one. Payment is made exclusively online by card; we don't accept cash. You don't pay a deposit with us and nothing is blocked on your card, so you don't need to keep any extra reserve on it.

What nobody will ask you for

No proof of income, bank statement or reference from anyone else. You don't have to create a user account, come up with a password or confirm anything by e-mail. A booking is a one-off: you choose a vehicle, pick a date, pay and you're done.

Keep an eye on validity during the rental too

Check the expiry date, not just that you have the document at all. With a rental lasting several days, your licence could expire in the middle of it. You must not drive the vehicle with an expired driving licence; this is dealt with under the rules of the road, just as it would be with your own car.

Documents are needed even without a branch

Pick-up is contactless, but that doesn't make the document requirements disappear. You photograph the vehicle and unlock it with your phone, and you'll find the keys in the glovebox on the passenger side. So bring your documents with you just as you would if you were taking them to a counter.

Who is allowed to drive the van

Only the person named in the contract

Only the person registered in the contract is allowed to drive. It doesn't matter who paid for the rental or who picked up the vehicle. If someone else gets behind the wheel, you are acting in breach of the rental terms, and that won't pay off even in a minor accident.

A second driver

On a longer route you can take turns, but the second driver must be registered in advance. Once notified, they can be added, and they too must meet the same conditions — category B and two valid documents. Sort it out when booking, not at a lay-by.

Companies and sole traders

Business rental works just as simply. The documents are always presented by the specific person who will be driving, because the contract is tied to the driver. If you drive regularly or need vehicles for several employees, take a look at the PROFI programme.

Documents on the day of pick-up

Have them physically with you

A photo of a document on your phone is no substitute. You need your documents both when picking up the vehicle and while driving, in case the police stop you. Have them ready in your pocket or wallet in advance so you're not searching for them in boxes while loading.

Pick-up is contactless

You take over the vehicle via the web app on your phone. You photograph its condition, unlock the vehicle with your phone and find the keys in the glovebox on the passenger side. That's exactly why it's important to have your documents in order when you book — there's no counter where it could be sorted out on the spot. The procedure and terms are covered in the FAQ.

A charged phone is just as important

Without a phone with mobile data, you can't get into the vehicle. Take a charger into the vehicle, especially in winter. You can browse the vehicles in advance in our fleet so you know what you're getting into.

When you're renting for someone else

The contract is always tied to the driver, not the payer. If your partner, colleague or neighbour needs the van, they must be named in the contract and they present the documents. You can't get around this by paying for the booking yourself and simply handing them the keys.

Keep your documents in one place

Moving day is the last time you want to be looking for your ID card. Put both documents in your wallet or pocket first thing in the morning, not in a box with your belongings. The same goes for the payment card you used for the booking.