Van Hire in Cambridgeshire, Suffolk & Hertfordshire

Need a van for a house move, a job, or to keep your business moving? Rent Direct offers van hire across Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Hertfordshire from nine local branches, with everything from compact car-derived vans to Luton box vans with a tail lift. 

We’re an independent, family-run hire company, and every van you hire comes from our own fleet. We don’t list on price comparison websites or pass you to a broker, so the team that quotes you is the same team that hands you the keys. 

Every van hire includes fully comprehensive insurance and breakdown cover as standard; there’s no minimum hire period, and you can collect from one branch and return to another. 

Van Hire at a Glance

Nine branches: Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill and Ipswich (Suffolk); Cambridge, Duxford, Ely and Huntingdon (Cambridgeshire); Thetford (Norfolk); Royston (Hertfordshire). 

Van sizes: from car-derived vans with around 1.5 m3 of load space to Luton vans with around 16.5 m3 and a 500 kg tail lift.

Who can hire: drivers aged 25 to 69 with a full UK licence held for at least 24 months 

Licence: a standard car (category B) licence covers all our vans up to 3.5 tonnes. 

Deposit: £200, refunded in full when the van is returned undamaged with a full tank 

Included: fully comprehensive insurance and breakdown cover

Flexible: no minimum hire period, one-way hire between branches, manual and automatic vans. 

Why Hire a Van from Rent Direct 

• Our own fleet, not a broker: You deal directly with us; we own and maintain our vans. 
• Local branches, local people: we’ve served customers across the East of England for over twenty years. 
• Ready for work: every van is ply-lined, with exposed tie-down points so you can secure your load. 
• Manual or automatic: automatic; short and long wheelbase vans are available if you prefer not to drive a manual 
• Short-term or long-term: hire for a day, week or longer. For a month or more, see our long-term hire; for fleet or regular hires, ask about corporate accounts. 

Van Hire Size: Which Van Do You Need? 

Choosing the right size saves time and money. If you’re between two sizes, go for the larger van, as it’s usually cheaper than a second trip.

Small Van Hire: Car-Derived Vans (V1) 

Our smallest vans drive much like a car, and they’re a good choice if you’ve never driven a van before. They seat two and carry around 1.5 cubic metres, enough for courier work, small deliveries or a student move. Example models: Vauxhall Combo and Ford Transit Connect.

Medium Van Hire: Short Wheelbase Vans (V2) 

A van’s wheelbase is the distance between the centres of its front and rear wheels. Short wheelbase vans have a load length of around 2.4 metres and about 5.5 cubic metres of space, seat three and are easy to park. They’re perfect for tradespeople and smaller moves. Example models include the Ford Transit Custom and Volkswagen Transporter. 

Large Van Hire: Long and Extra Long Wheelbase Vans (V3 and V4) 

Long-wheelbase vans have a load length of around 3.4 metres and about 9.5 cubic metres of space, with seats for three. They suit bigger house moves and long materials such as timber, pipe or ladders. Example models include the Ford Transit L3 and Volkswagen Crafter. 

Luton Van Hire with a Tail Lift

For house moves and bulky goods, our Luton box vans are the most popular vans in the fleet. The box-shaped load area is about 4 metres long and 2.2 metres high, offering roughly 16.5 cubic metres of space, plus three seats in the cab. 

Every Luton van comes with a 500 kg tail lift, so you can lift washing machines, fridge-freezers, and heavy equipment with the push of a button rather than up a ramp. Luton van hire is available from our Suffolk branches in Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill and Ipswich, and across our Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Hertfordshire branches. 

What Is Payload? 

Payload is the maximum weight of cargo and passengers a van can legally carry. It’s the van’s maximum authorised mass (MAM) minus its unladen weight. Overloading a van is an offence and strains the brakes, tyres, and suspension, so check the payload of the van you’re looking at, or ask our team. 

Electric Van Hire 

If you want to cut emissions or running costs, we offer electric van hire across a range of sizes. Availability varies by branch, so contact us if you need a specific model. 

Van Hire Near You 

With nine branches across the East of England, you'll usually find a Rent Direct van close to home or the job. With one-way van hire, you can collect from one branch and return to another. 

Van Hire in Suffolk 

Hire a van in Suffolk from our branches in Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, and Ipswich. Our Ipswich branch is convenient for Woodbridge, Felixstowe and East Suffolk. Bury St Edmunds serves West Suffolk, Stowmarket, and Newmarket. For van hire in Haverhill, visit us on Manor Road, near the Suffolk-Essex border. 

Van Rental in Cambridgeshire

For van rental in Cambridgeshire, choose from four branches. Van hire in Cambridge is on Milton Road in the north of the city; Duxford is handy for the M11 and Saffron Walden. Ely serves Soham, March, and the Fens, while Huntingdon covers St. Ives, St Neots, and the A14 corridor. 

Van Hire in Norfolk and Hertfordshire

Our Thetford branch on Fison Way serves Breckland and South Norfolk, while Royston on York Way covers North Hertfordshire. Full addresses and directions for every branch are on our contact page. 

Van Hire Prices 

The cost of hiring a van depends on: 

• The van size and category 

• How long you need it 

• The mileage you expect to cover

• Your collection branch and dates 

The longer you hire, the lower the daily rate, and there’s no minimum hire period. Every quote includes fully comprehensive insurance and breakdown cover. Tell us your expected mileage when you book so your quote reflects your actual journey. A £200 refundable deposit secures your van. For tailored business rates, contact us. 

What You Need to Hire a Van 

To be eligible, all drivers must: 

• Be aged between 25 and 69 
• Hold a full, valid UK driving licence for at least 24 months

Bring with you on collection: 

• Your driving licence 
• A DVLA check code, which you can generate on GOV.UK
• A debit or credit card in the main driver’s name 
• Proof of address 
• A second form of photo ID, such as a passport 
  

Vans are supplied with a full tank and should be returned full. Insurance is subject to an excess payable by the hirer, and vans can’t be taken outside mainland UK. See our hiring criteria for full details. 

How to Book Your Van

1. Enter your collection branch, dates and times in the booking form on this page 
2. Choose your van from what’s available, checking load dimensions and payload
3. Collect your van with your documents, and you’re on your way

Prefer to talk it through? Call your nearest branch for a free, no-obligation quote, or drop in to speak to the team.

Book Your Van Hire Today

Whether you need a small van for a day or a Luton for a weekend move, book your van hire online now or call your local Rent Direct branch. With our own fleet, insurance and nine branches across Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Hertfordshire, we’ll get you on the road sharpish. 

Frequently Asked Questions