When it comes to moving house, picking up furniture, events or business deliveries, hiring a van yourself can often be more cost effective depending on distance, duration and provider.
It generally offers more flexibility to move items on your own schedule, without waiting for a courier to become available.
But how do you know which van rental is right for you? Things like choosing the right size, understanding costs and licence requirements are important to consider before you hire a van.
Here we’ll share what you need to know before hiring a van in Australia, along with a handy van hire checklist to help make your rental smooth and stress-free.
Choose the right van size
The first step is ensuring that you have the proper van size for what needs to be transported. While smaller vans may be used for small-business deliveries, they wouldn’t be suitable for moving a whole house's contents.
Van Size Guide: Choosing the right van for your needs
Where does the KINTO Toyota HiAce fit in?
The KINTO Toyota HiAce Cargo LWB is classified as a medium cargo van. It has 6.2m³ of load space, providing enough room for bulky furniture, event equipment, boxes, and business deliveries, while still being easy to drive and park in urban spaces.
KINTO® Toyota HiAce van’s cargo dimensions:
Payload of 1075 kg (1.075 t)
6200L loadspace volume
Height – 1,340mm
Length – 2,530mm
Width – 1,760mm
Width (between Wheel Housing) – 1,268mm
Check Licence Requirements
In most Australian states and territories, most cargo vans can be driven with a standard Australian driver’s licence. This means that van hire is an accessible way to transport items like furniture and equipment, as well as for business deliveries. But, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Must hold a standard driver's licence: most vans for hire fall within the limits of a regular car licence, meaning no special truck licences are needed.
- Weight limits: Vans must have a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of under 4.5 tonnes. If they are over this, special licences are required.
- Age restrictions: Some rental providers may have minimum age requirements to hire a van.
Checking these conditions before booking a van helps ensure you can rent legally and confidently. You should confirm licence requirements based on your location and the vehicle’s specifications.
KINTO driver requirements
All rental companies have specific driver requirements that must be met to book a vehicle. Before hiring, you'll need to determine if there is a minimum age to hire a van or if you can drive on P-Plates (if this applies).
KINTO®'s eligibility criteria are:
Subject to KINTO’s Membership Terms and Conditions:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a valid full or P2 provisional Australian or international driver's licence with a licence type of 'car'; and
- In the last 3 years, not:
- Had an application for motor vehicle insurance refused, declined or cancelled;
- Had your driver's licence restricted, suspended, cancelled or endorsed with special conditions;
- Been convicted of, or had any fines imposed for criminal activity; and
- Had more than 2 motor vehicle claims where you had to pay an excess.
If you meet these requirements and have your membership approved, you can book a KINTO van. Eligibility criteria may change.
Understand the total cost of van hire
Van rental costs depend on the provider and the length of the rental. Some providers like KINTO offer hourly or daily rates, which are ideal when you only need to hire for a few hours or a short trip.
It’s also good to consider whether fuel is included in the hire price or charged additionally, and while rentals can include basic insurance, it often comes with an excess (paid in the event the vehicle is damaged). Knowing these details beforehand can help avoid unexpected costs and surprises.
The benefits of KINTO hire
There are many perks when hiring a van with KINTO, including:
- Fuel, insurance, servicing and roadside assistance are all included within the hire cost.
- Simple pricing structure with no surges during busy periods
- When you hire a KINTO, you’ll pay the hire fee + a distance fee per km
- Option to add excess reduction for peace of mind
- Hourly hire available for short trips
Check out KINTOs quote estimator to view cost estimates and live availability.
Consider the pick-up and return process
For instance, with KINTO, you book, unlock and start your vehicle all from the easy-to-use KINTO car hire app. Van hire and trips can be managed through the app for convenience, with no need to collect and return keys or complete paperwork.
And, as KINTO is a back-to-base service, all van rentals need to be returned to the original location from which they were collected.
Understanding the pick-up and drop-off process of your chosen rental allows you to plan and prepare before you hire.
Check loading features
Noting the loading features can be the difference between a smooth loading and unloading process and a difficult one, especially for tightly packed vans or large, bulky items.
Some loading features to check:
- How many access doors are there?
- Are there sliding doors? (May be easier for bulky items)
- Are there any tie-down points?
- How much cargo space is there?
- What are the payload limits?
Van hire checklist
Before you hire a van, make sure you have considered the following:
✔ Have you chosen the right van size for your load
✔ Confirm your driver’s licence eligibility
✔ Compare hourly vs daily rental costs
✔ Check insurance coverage and excess costs, or if there is the option for an excess reduction
✔ Plan your pick-up and return time around location opening hours
✔ Measure any large furniture or items beforehand
✔ Confirm parking or loading access at your destination
When you’re moving house, picking up furniture or managing your business deliveries, the van you rent can be the difference between a smooth and hassle-free trip.
With KINTO, members can book a van in minutes through the app and be on the road in no time. Ready to get moving? Download the KINTO app today to get started on your next van hire.
Do you need a special licence to hire a van in Australia?
No, in most cases, no special licences are required for van rental in Australia. Most rental vans fall under the 4.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) limit, which means they can be driven with a standard Australian driver's licence. However, some rental providers may have age requirements for booking, so it’s best to confirm these before hiring. See KINTO’s eligibility criteria here.
Is fuel included in a KINTO van hire?
With KINTO, fuel is included in the hire price. Our hires all include fuel, maintenance, servicing, insurance and roadside assistance to give you peace of mind on the road.
For more information, view our cars and pricing guide.
What size van should I hire for moving furniture?
The best size van will depend on the size of the furniture or how much you need to transport. For a few large or bulky items, a medium-sized cargo van like KINTO’s Toyota HiAce Cargo LWB, with a 6.2m³ load volume, could be suitable. Measure the items before booking to ensure the van has enough cargo space.
