As is the case with most industries, the self-drive one is fraught with myths and misconceptions. That’s why this month we’ve pulled together five of the most common self-drive van hire myths, and we hope to shed some light on what the reality actually is.

You’ll pay the same amount if you don’t pre-book

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. We would always advise that you book ahead of time. Not only does this ensure that you have a vehicle secured, it also means that you’ll be saving money on your booking.

You’ll find that during the busier periods of the year that prices may rise, especially if you’re a walk-in customer. This is because when the holiday season begins, more and more people are inclined to rent rather than use their own vehicle.

You’ll always be charged for damage, of any type

No matter who you ask, someone will undoubtedly say that they’ve been charged thousands for a small chip caused by a rebounding pebble.

However, this isn’t always the case. With the staggering amount of rental vehicles on the road and the sheer number of rental companies operating, the percentage of large penalties is very small. Some vehicle hire companies do operate a discretion policy when it comes to small nicks.

However, this won’t be the case with larger damages. If anything major does happen, then you will be liable for the costs. These will be detailed in your rental agreement, or the rental company’s terms and conditions.

All self-drive hire companies are the same

Much like any other business, self-drive hire companies are unique. Their terms and conditions may look the same, but they do differ based on location, additional charges and fleet size.

Just because you hired a vehicle six years ago, doesn’t mean you’ll get the same rental agreement today.

So what’s the reason for this? Well, the rental industry as a whole is always changing.

As a result, contract terms or regulations are often updated to make sure your consumer rights are protected. Some companies may take longer to implement these changes, so always read the terms and conditions carefully before you sign up.

Any traffic offences won’t apply to you

In the past, it’s been a common misconception that if you’re caught speeding or receive a parking offence when you’re in a rental vehicle, then the ticket won’t apply to you. This isn’t the case; just because you don’t own the car doesn’t mean that you won’t be held accountable.

The penalty is with the driver, not the owner of the vehicle. The ticket or enforcement notice may be sent to the vehicle rental company, but this will then be passed on to you.

Car rental companies are open 24/7

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case – yet! Opening hours would typically be 8am to 6pm in the week and many do open on a Saturday morning, airport locations will be open for longer hours to cater for incoming flights. However, some people do think that they can drop off or collect their vehicle at any time, without any additional charges in place.

We always recommend that our customers call ahead of time to organise a time to collect or drop off their vehicle.

So there we have it, our top 5 self drive van hire myths and the actual facts. What do you think? Did you have preconceptions about hiring a vehicle that hasn’t been true?

We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please do let us know in the comments below.

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