Frequently Asked Questions

This is a Collision Damage Waiver which helps to protect you in the case of accidents, reducing your deposit/excess when you make an insurance claim. If you need to know more, please contact us.

In this unlikely event, please contact us, as our vehicles all have breakdown coverage across the UK

This varies depending on when your license was issued; for most standard UK driving licences you will be able to drive Category B vehicles which are up to 3.5 tonnes and have a maximum of 9 seats. Please check the back of your licence to see what kinds of vehicles you’re allowed to drive.
 

Though our vehicles are checked before being delivered, you’re responsible for making the standard checks such as oil level, tire pressure etc. during the time of your rental.

You are responsible for knowing and obeying the highway code, the local laws regarding drink driving and any other rules of the road such as the legal places to park, even when driving in a foreign country.
 

No, only the primary driver needs to be present. We would recommend that the primary driver has the licenses for the additional drivers to avoid complications.

Yes, you remain liable for the vehicle while it waits to be collected.

Yes- you will need to present your driver’s licence and the credit or debit card used to make the booking. If you don’t have a photo license, you will also be asked for your passport. A bank statement or utility bill will also be asked for to help us verify your identity.
 

This is simply the formal contract between you (the hirer of the vehicle) and us (the providers of the vehicle) which details all the terms of the arrangement and the condition of the vehicle.
 

Please contact us immediately. Keys are not covered by our insurance and you may be charged for replacing the keys, as well as any additional rental time you use while waiting for replacements.
 

YES, you can. We do need both details of cardholder and driver and proof of address.
 

We certainly do! The best way to be notified of our latest discounts is to make an account with us and watch your email inbox for our updates and offers. Or contact our team for the latest deals.

You will receive an email from us detailing your booking.

This usually happens if you have opted for extras after the quote, such as a rented Satnav, or there were charges for refuelling your vehicle. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
 

Don’t worry, just contact us and we’ll check the bookings and remove the incorrect one.
 

You are responsible for all rented items and will be liable for replacement of the unit.

Currently, we charge £20 to add an additional driver aged 23-24, or £10 for additional drivers aged 25 and older. Please note that these are subject to change and will be listed on the vehicle hire page.
 

Yes, we do need to charge you if you choose to upgrade your vehicle to one other than the vehicle you have reserved.
 

We are sometimes able to accommodate disabled customers and always endeavour to do so, such as with adapted vehicles. This is usually assessed case by case so please contact us and tell us your needs.

Absolutely. In fact, if you’re already covered by a company insurance policy, we offer a 10% discount on the rental!

 

No- we believe in convenience and do not charge you for having your rental vehicle delivered to the location of your choice. We will also collect your vehicle at no further cost.

In these cases, where a last-minute change of plans is out of your hands, we will do our best to assist you. Please contact us with the details.
 

We can accept the majority of full, clean EU driving licenses. Non-EU licenses may be accepted with some additional identification to help us validate them; please contact us for more details.
 

This is not strictly necessary, though in the case of significant soiling that would cost us to clean, we politely ask you to clean this yourself as you may receive a charge for our cleaning costs.
 

You will find a ‘Contact Us’ button at the top right of the home page will all our contact details. You can also access Live Help here, which is a chat-based system for getting quick answers from our trained advisors.
 

Please email us with the full details of the incident, your contact details and if possible the registration number of our vehicle. We will do our best to ensure that the process is smoothed along.
 

Unfortunately, our vehicles are only offered as self-drive options without a hired driver.

Your vehicle will be provided with fuel, but you are expected to replace what you use and may be charged if you do not.
 

So long as you have a license for driving the type of vehicle you need, you can rent and drive it from us. However, we may sometimes add a young driver surcharge for drivers under 25.
 

We typically only allow one-way rentals within the UK, but all our vehicles are permitted to travel to EU countries so give us a call and we’ll see what we can arrange for you.

This depends on the station. Some stations have poor parking options and a nearby landmark needs to be used instead, but we aim to serve the major stations in the UK. Give us a call and we’ll let you know if we can deliver to your location!

Your deposit will be refunded in full, provided there’s no damage or misuse of the vehicle, within 3 working days of returning the vehicle. We aim to return deposits as quickly as possible, but this time can vary between banks. Deposits are only charged if the vehicle is in London or Leeds or if you are leaving the country.
 

Long term rentals can be arranged on a per-case basis, please contact us to arrange your rental and we’ll see what we can do.

Business customers looking to make repeat bookings are invited to speak to us; a special rate may be possible depending on your circumstances and needs.
 

You can do this, using a debit or credit card and our website, or by calling us.
 

This is usually fine, but please double check with your branch or with us when making your booking.
 

Of course; simply give us a call, or email with ‘past rental’ in the header so it goes to the right team as quickly as possible.

We aim to give a grace period of half an hour after the return time, to allow for traffic and other things out of your control, though this cannot always be offered when vehicles are in high demand. After this half hour period, you may be subject to an extra day’s billing.
 

We can only accept debit and credit card payments. Or business rentals may opt to pay via invoice for direct banking transfer with 24hrs of the reservation.
 

We do not offer Sat Nav's on any of our rentals.

We would usually expect you to deal with the charges directly. However, if we receive a penalty notice or fine after the vehicle has been returned, this will be passed onto you, with an appropriate administration fee to cover our costs.
 

Please contact us immediately. If we discover something in the vehicle after it is returned, we will try to reunite it with its owner in a timely fashion. Please speak to our customer service team if you believe that anything has been left.

No, all child seats must be fitted by you, though of course we can provide advice, and show you the correct fixing points. We are not responsible for any seats that are not fitted correctly.
 

A child seat occupies approximately the same space as a full adult seat, so if you need to use multiple seats, speak to our customer team, who will advise you of the right size vehicle to meet your requirements.

We do not provide child seats with any of our vehicles.

Yes. We are more than happy for you to use your own child seats. However please note that not all our vehicles have ISOFIX points, so if you are intending to use child seats, please speak to our team to ensure that the car you hire includes these fixing points.
 

No sorry, we do not cover for goods in transit. It would be advised that if you are traveling overseas you take out adequate travel insurance or if the hire is in the UK personal belongings may be covered on your home contents insurance.
 

Please contact us immediately. The theft excess amount will depend on the type of vehicle you have hired, and its value. Please be aware that any negligence on your part, such as leaving keys in the vehicle, will invalidate your cover and result in a much larger excess charge.
 

All our vehicles use unleaded petrol or diesel, and we will confirm the fuel type before you drive away. If you are unsure, please just call our customer services team who will confirm the correct fuel to use for your rental car.

For travel within the UK or the EU, you will not need an International Driving Permit. If you are planning to travel onto the continent, our team will be happy to provide you with advice. Please make sure that you have read and understood local driving laws before driving in another country.
 

We offer unlimited driving throughout the EU, and also provide European cover on our vehicles. This must be selected in the optional extras at the time of booking as it does incur an additional charge. However, you may not take the vehicle outside mainland Europe. If you wish to travel to a destination outside the EU, please speak to one of our reservations teams before you travel. Please note that all vehicles MUST be returned back to the UK, so it is not permitted to make a one-way trip into Europe.
 

Before you drive away with any vehicle, it will be inspected both by yourself and one of our team, and you will be provided with paperwork showing any existing scratches, marks or dents. You must sign this document to show that you agree with our assessment. Our company prides itself on honesty and you will never be charged for any damage that was already done before you hired the vehicle.
 

In most circumstances, you will not be charged for cleaning. We accept that normal levels of dirt or wear and tear are to be expected. However, if you return the vehicle in an unacceptable state, or we need to hire a specialist to remove pet hair or other dirt, then you will incur a charge so we can have the vehicle professionally valeted.
 

Your rental is charged in 24 hour periods, so it doesn't make any difference if you hire the vehicle for 1 hour or the full 24. The cost is the same. We do not offer any refunds for early returns. If you have hired any special equipment, this is also charged at a daily rate.
 

When you hire your vehicle, it will have been thoroughly checked and so it is very unlikely that this will occur. However, if you have a long-term rental, you may incur the usual wear and tear. If your tyres do need to be replaced, we will arrange this for you at no extra charge.
 

All our vehicles are regularly serviced and maintained, and so a service light would be a rarity. However, in the event that this does happen, please call our support line immediately and we will send someone to deal with the problem as soon as possible. The vehicle will either be repaired or replaced quickly so you can continue with your rental period.
 

We provide a fixed level of cover with every vehicle rental that will cover most emergency situations and breakdowns. We also offer an upgrade to a comprehensive level of cover for an additional charge. If you do have a breakdown or require help, contact our 24 hour emergency service using the number provided in your agreement and we will get you on your way as soon as possible.
 

We will provide you with an emergency breakdown telephone number. Just call this number and we will ensure that the vehicle is repaired or replaced in most circumstances. Please be aware that the cover provided may come with exceptions, so make sure you are aware of the terms and conditions that are given in your rental agreement.
 

You will be responsible for paying the toll directly. If you accidentally pass through a toll point without paying the charge, it is likely that we will be billed at a later date, and we will add this cost to your bill, along with an administration fee.

Central London has a Congestion Charge that applies to certain areas. If you pass through a charging zone, you will be charged each time. Speak to one of our advisers about how to pay this charge and exactly where the zones are situated; usually you will be responsible for paying this directly. 

We understand that delays may occur during your return journey, but give you a short extra time to get the vehicle back to us. However, if you are more than 30 minutes late in returning, you will be charged an additional day's premium. If you are delayed, please call the branch to which you are returning the vehicle to discuss your options.

On occasion, customers may query a charge they have received on their bill, for example for accidental damage, fuel replacement or cleaning costs. If you are unhappy, please contact our customer services team who will explain why the costs have been incurred.
 

All our vehicles come with a certain excess charge. This will be used if you have an accident, or return the vehicle with damage above and beyond acceptable wear and tear. The excess amount will be discussed with you at time of booking, and you can take out additional cover to reduce the excess charge. Every vehicle comes with a Collision Damage Waiver to cover accidents and damage, but this basic level of cover can be upgraded for an additional charge.

Yes, there are no restrictions on this. However, please be aware that any damage incurred or any costs that might arise, for example if you need to be towed out of a field, you must arrange and pay for this directly yourself.
 

Yes of course. Please be aware that if the vehicle is returned with an unacceptable level of dirt or requires a professional clean, then there will be an additional charge.
 

Our prices are updated continually to provide the most competitive prices. We are unable to fix a price for you to take up at a later date, but will always offer you the best price at time of reservation.
 

If you have endorsements on your licence, we will need to check the details. Most motoring offences will not affect your vehicle hire, but any convictions for serious motoring offences such as theft, driving without insurance or driving under the influence of drink or drugs almost certainly will restrict or prohibit any rental agreement. Please speak with one of our team before making a reservation.

If you are not satisfied with any aspect of your hire, then we are happy to discuss options. Please contact one of our representatives.

Yes, simply speak to one of our representatives who will assist you with the extension of your hire period, subject to an additional charge. We offer a flexible service and are always willing to meet the needs of our customers. If your rental happens to be close to the end of its rental cycle and the end date coincides with your extended booking, we will either extend the vehicle's lifecycle or provide a replacement vehicle for you at no extra cost other than the additional hire period.

We are committed to providing excellent customer service and to fit around the needs of our customers. To upgrade a vehicle or add extra equipment, such as a tow bar, simply speak to one of our team by phone prior to delivery. We can add any changes to your bill. We do not offer refunds if you choose to downgrade your booking, however, so please make sure that your original booking is as accurate as possible.

You can book one vehicle per individual reservation. If you need a group of vehicles, this can be arranged by a series of individual bookings, subject to availability. You will, of course, need to have sufficient named drivers to cover all the vehicles.

Our fleet of quality vehicles is updated continually; your hire vehicle will almost always be nearly new, often less than a year old. We aim to provide a reliable, regularly updated fleet to best meet the needs of our many customers.
 

Some branches do have secure parking facilities. Once you have received your booking voucher, you will have direct contact details of the rental branch. We recommend you contact them before traveling to confirm parking facilities.
 

Every driver must present a valid driving licence that they have held for at least one year (often two years). Expired or provisional licences will not be accepted.

We may also need to check whether you have any endorsements or penalty points on your licence. This will not necessarily affect your ability to rent a car or commercial vehicle with us.

We accept telephone and online bookings only. The best option is always to give us a call. When making a booking, please have the following information to hand:

• Details of the vehicle you would like to hire. Our team can help you if you are unsure.
• Driver name and contact telephone number, address or business address and details of any additional drivers
• Length of time the vehicle is required, including the required collection or delivery date and time
• Full delivery and collection details, including postcode

Yes. If you are a business customer we can accept several methods of payment, including BACS transfer, corporate purchasing card and credit card. Some methods of payment may be subject to a credit check.
 

Yes. We encourage our customers to re-fuel our rental vehicles to cover the fuel used before collection or return. If required, we can charge for the fuel used instead or deduct the amount from your deposit.

We do not take deposits on vehicles unless it is a Prestige Vehicle. This is to cover incidentals such as parking tickets, speeding fines, fuel and damage costs. The deposit will be refunded after the vehicle hire is complete, subject to any deductions as per the list previously.

All truck rentals for business use MUST have a valid operator’s licence. For personal use there is no need for an operator’s license.

When you place your vehicle rental reservation, you will receive an emailed booking acknowledgement and then a further email will be sent to confirm your reservation.

All reservations must be booked through our secure website. You can contact us on our free phone number during office hours (Mon-Fri 08.00 to 20.00, Sat 08.00 – 12.00) should you have any questions that relate to your required rental vehicle.

You must be minimum 25 years of age and you must have a class D1 on your driving licence.?

No, we cannot offer zero excess but taking out Collision Damage Waiver Insurance to reduce the excess liability can reduce your insurance excess. Please see our terms and conditions for the CDW rates of the vehicle that you wish to hire.

Yes. We can offer one-way vehicle rentals to any UK mainland location. We cannot offer this service to any of the Islands off the UK mainland or within Europe.

Yes, we permit our vehicles to travel into all listed EU countries. Please note a charge will apply for travel to Northern and Southern Ireland.

Yes. We service the whole of the UK mainland with delivery and collection of our hire cars and commercial vehicles. It should be noted that this excludes any islands off of the UK mainland.

Yes. Insurance is always factored in to the price you see. Comprehensive insurance is included as standard.

It should be noted that our insurance does not cover goods in transit.

Nationwide Hire UK operates an unlimited mileage policy. This also co-insides with our fair use policy of a maximum of 2800 miles per calendar month or pro-rata. Any excessive miles past this 2800 (or pro-rata) fair use policy will incur a charge of £0.25p per mile plus vat thereafter.

Unlimited Mileage does not apply to vehicles used for courier use.