Your Complete Guide to
Hiring a Van in Edinburgh

Everything you need to know — from choosing the right van size to local parking permits, insurance, and moving tips. Written by people who actually live and work in Edinburgh.

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Easihire is a family business, founded and run by Ted Hanley right here in Edinburgh. When you call us, you speak to someone who knows this city inside out — not a call centre hundreds of miles away.

📋 What’s covered in this guide

Choosing the right van size

This is the question Ted gets asked more than any other. Get it wrong and you’ll either be making a costly second trip, or wrestling a Luton van down a narrow New Town lane. Here’s a practical guide to help you choose confidently:

Van type	Approx. payload	Best suited for	Edinburgh suitability
Small van e.g. VW Caddy, Vauxhall Combo	~500–700 kg	IKEA runs, small deliveries, airport trips, tradesperson tools	Excellent — fits virtually everywhere
Medium van e.g. Transit Custom, Vivaro	~900–1,100 kg	1-bedroom flat move, moderate delivery loads, weekend jobs	Great — handles Old Town & New Town well
Large van (LWB) e.g. Transit, Sprinter, Ducato	~1,200–1,400 kg	2–3 bedroom house move, large business deliveries	Good — plan your route in advance
Luton box van With optional tail lift	~1,400–1,800 kg	Full house moves, heavy or bulky furniture	Plan carefully — height restrictions apply in city centre

💡 TED’S HONEST TIP

If you’re moving a 2-bedroom flat, go for the large van rather than the medium. You’ll almost certainly need it, and hiring the bigger van for a day costs far less than the time and fuel of a second trip. When in doubt, go bigger — you’ll thank yourself by mid-morning.

The Easihire Edinburgh fleet

Every van in the Easihire fleet is fully branded, regularly serviced, and ready to collect from our depot in Broxburn. Here is every van you can hire from Ted Hanley’s team:

SMALL VAN

Volkswagen Caddy

Our smallest hire van — nimble, fuel-efficient and perfect for Edinburgh’s tight streets and car-friendly parking zones. Ideal for IKEA runs, small flat moves, courier loads and tradesperson tools.

📦 PayloadUp to 625 kg📐 Load length1,740 mm📐 Load width1,460 mm📐 Load height1,190 mm🏙️ City friendlyExcellent⛽ FuelDiesel

MEDIUM VAN

VW Transporter

The workhorse of the Easihire fleet. Our medium vans carry a serious load while still being manageable on Edinburgh’s busier roads and in residential areas. The go-to choice for tradespeople, deliveries and 1-bedroom flat moves.

📦 PayloadUp to 950 kg📐 Load length2,555 mm📐 Load width1,620 mm📐 Load height1,406 mm🏙️ City friendlyVery good⛽ FuelDiesel

LARGE VAN

VW Crafter LWB

When you need serious capacity without stepping up to a Luton, the Easihire large van delivers. Perfect for 2–3 bedroom house moves, office relocations, and large equipment transport. Spacious enough to handle most jobs in a single trip.

📦 PayloadUp to 1,485 kg📐 Load length3,705–4,070 mm📐 Load width1,800 mm📐 Load height1,932 mm🏙️ City friendlyGood — plan route⛽ FuelDiesel

⭐ MOST POPULAR FOR HOUSE MOVES

Luton Van with Electric Tail Lift

The Easihire Luton is the top choice for full house removals and moving heavy furniture. The electric tail lift takes the backbreaking work out of loading — simply roll heavy items onto the platform and raise it to van height. No heavy lifting required.

📦 PayloadUp to 1,080 kg📐 Load length3,990 mm📐 Load width1,880 mm📐 Load height2,150 mm🏙️ Height at roof3,275 mm — plan ahead🔧 Tail liftElectric — shown at handover

LUTON VAN — REAR VIEW

Luton Box Van — Loading Made Easy

The rear barn doors open wide for full access to the box body. The Easihire team will always demonstrate how to operate the tail lift safely before you leave the depot. Strapping points are built into the floor and walls for securing furniture and heavy goods.

🚪 Rear doorsFull barn-door access🔗 Strap pointsFloor & wall mounted📦 Box bodyFully enclosed, weatherproof👥 Seats3 (including driver)📋 Ideal forFull removals, appliances⛽ FuelDiesel

LUTON VAN — SIDE PROFILE

Easihire Luton — Side View

You’ll recognise an Easihire Luton on the road by its clean white livery. The box body extends over the cab for maximum load volume. Important note: at 3,275 mm tall, this vehicle will not pass under standard multi-storey car park barriers — always check clearance before entering.

📏 Overall height3,275 mm📏 Overall length6,660 mm📏 Overall width2,085 mm⚠️ Height warningCheck all bridges & car parks🏆 Ted’s recommendationBest for big moves📞 Book via0131 322 6597

What to bring when you collect your van

Nothing is more frustrating than arriving at our depot only to find you’ve left something behind. Here is everything you need to bring with you at collection — no exceptions:

Your full, valid UK driving licence photocard (not just the old paper counterpart)
A second form of ID — passport, utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months
The credit or debit card used to make the booking, in the driver’s name
If you have any penalty points on your licence, bring your DVLA licence check code — available free at gov.uk/check-driving-information
Your booking confirmation email and reference number

Details of any personal van hire insurance you wish to use in place of our Damage Waiver

💡 NON-UK LICENCES

If your driving licence was issued in the EU or another country, different rules may apply depending on how long you’ve held it and your residency status. Please give Ted a call before your booking day — we’ll give you a straight answer with no fuss and make sure everything is in order.

Driving a van in Edinburgh — what you need to know

Edinburgh is a magnificent city, but it has its quirks for van drivers. Steep hills, historic narrow streets, tram lines, an active Low Emission Zone and enthusiastic parking wardens all require a little local knowledge. Here’s what Ted’s team tells every customer before they set off:

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The Old Town

Narrow closes, steep cobbles and delivery restrictions on the Royal Mile. Plan deliveries before 10am for the smoothest experience.

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Tram network

Edinburgh’s expanded tram routes have significantly changed traffic flow along Princes Street and Leith Walk. Check routes before heading into the centre.

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Height restrictions

Many central car parks have 2.0–2.4m clearance. A Luton van typically sits at 3m+. Always check before committing to a multi-storey.

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Low Emission Zone (LEZ)

Edinburgh’s LEZ covers the city centre and applies to most vehicles. Our entire fleet is LEZ-compliant — no penalty charge worries when you hire from us.

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The hills

Edinburgh’s hills are steeper than they look — especially with a loaded van. Use engine braking on descents and give yourself more stopping distance than usual.

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Pedestrian zones

Zones on Rose Street, Cockburn Street and parts of the Grassmarket have time-of-day access restrictions. Check signage carefully before entering.

Our VW Crafter — a popular large van choice for Edinburgh business deliveries and house moves, available now at Easihire Broxburn.

💡 TED’S LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Avoid Princes Street and the Mound during school run times (8–9am and 3–4pm). For deliveries to the New Town, approach from Queensferry Road in the north where possible. Saturday mornings around the Meadows and Bruntsfield are always extremely busy — allow 30 extra minutes on the road.

Loading & packing your van safely

An improperly loaded van is not just uncomfortable to drive — it can be dangerous and is illegal if your load is unsecured. Here are the essentials our team always explains at handover:

Weight distribution

Place the heaviest items on the floor, pushed against the bulkhead (the wall behind the cab)
Keep the load as low and central as possible — high, forward-heavy loads affect handling
Never exceed the vehicle’s stated payload — this is a legal limit as well as a safety one

Balance weight evenly from left to right to prevent the van from swaying on the road

Securing the load

Use the anchor points on the van’s floor and walls — ask us to show you at collection
Ratchet straps are far more secure than bungee cords for heavy items
Blankets and moving pads prevent furniture from being scratched in transit
Stack boxes heaviest at the bottom, lightest at the top

Fragile items must be wedged in and cannot be left free to slide

Loading properly makes a huge difference to both safety and speed. Our team at Easihire will always walk you through the anchor points and strap positions before you leave.

⚠️ LEGAL REMINDER

Under UK law, the driver is responsible for ensuring the load is safe. If items fall from a moving van and cause damage or injury, the driver — not the hire company — is liable. It takes ten minutes to secure a load properly. It’s always worth it.

Van hire insurance explained simply

Insurance is the area that causes the most confusion — and, unfortunately, the most unpleasant surprises for customers who haven’t thought it through. Here’s a plain-English guide to what you’re actually covered for:

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Collision Damage Waiver (CDW)

Reduces your financial liability if the van is damaged while in your care. Usually includes an excess — the amount you pay before the waiver applies.

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Excess reduction

For a small additional daily cost, you can significantly reduce or eliminate your excess. Excellent value for peace of mind — especially on a big move.

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What is typically excluded

Tyres, windscreens, undercarriage damage, mirrors and the interior are often excluded from standard cover. Ask us about these before you drive away.

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Your existing cover

Some comprehensive car insurance policies or premium credit cards include van hire cover. Always check before booking — and bring written proof on the day.

💡 TED’S ADVICE

Don’t assume your car insurance covers van hire — many policies explicitly exclude it or only cover third-party liability. Ring your insurer the day before and ask directly. It takes five minutes and could save you a very expensive surprise.

Parking & permits in Edinburgh

This is something many customers don’t think about until they’re sitting in a fully loaded van with nowhere to stop. Edinburgh’s parking enforcement is active, and penalty charge notices are issued quickly. Plan ahead.

Loading bays

Edinburgh City Council designates loading bays throughout the city centre. These allow short-stay loading and unloading — typically 20–30 minutes. Check the signage carefully, as hours and restrictions vary considerably between locations. Many loading bays have different rules on Sundays or evenings.

Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs)

A significant portion of Edinburgh’s inner city — Marchmont, Bruntsfield, Morningside, parts of Leith, and much of the New Town — is covered by resident permit zones. As a hired van, you won’t hold a resident’s permit. You’ll need to use pay-and-display bays or, for a full move, arrange a formal loading bay suspension in advance.

💡 HOUSE MOVE TIP FROM TED

If you’re moving into or out of a property in a controlled parking zone, apply to Edinburgh City Council for a temporary loading bay suspension at least 10 working days in advance. It costs a modest fee but is worth every penny — a penalty charge notice can ruin an otherwise perfect moving day.

Multi-storey car parks suitable for vans

Castle Terrace car park is a good option for medium vans near the city centre. The NCP at Greenside Place suits smaller vans. Always check the height restriction displayed at the barrier before you enter — do not rely on general listings, as posted heights can change.

Moving house in Edinburgh — your complete checklist

Ted and the Easihire team have helped hundreds of Edinburgh families move over the years. These are the things we see people forget time and time again — read this the evening before your move:

The week before

Book your van early — Saturdays and end-of-month dates are extremely popular in Edinburgh and fill up weeks in advance
Collect free cardboard boxes from local supermarkets — Morrisons on Chesser Avenue and the Tesco stores are reliably generous
Set up Royal Mail redirection online — it’s free and takes 5 minutes at royalmail.com
Notify Edinburgh City Council to transfer your council tax to your new address
Apply for a parking bay suspension if you’re in a controlled zone (10 working days’ notice required)

Inform your bank, employer, GP and any subscriptions of your new address

The night before

Disconnect your washing machine — it needs several hours to drain fully before being moved safely
Defrost your fridge-freezer if moving it — this must be done overnight at minimum
Pack an essentials box: kettle, mugs, tea bags, toilet roll, phone chargers, basic toiletries. Keep this in your car, not the van

Get a good night’s sleep — moving days are long and physically demanding

Moving day itself

Collect the van early to give yourself maximum time
Walk around the entire van and photograph any existing marks before driving away
Check every cupboard, the loft, under beds, the shed and the garage before you hand back the keys
Do a final sweep 30 minutes before your key handover deadline — it’s always worth it

Return the van with a full tank of fuel to avoid refuelling charges

Frequently asked questions

These are the questions Ted and the team answer every single week. We’ve put them all here so you can arrive fully prepared — and spend less time on hold.

12 useful links for van hire customers

We’ve gathered the links our customers ask about most often — from checking your driving licence to finding the right parking and planning your route. All verified and up to date.

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DVLA Licence CheckerView and share your driving record — required for van hire

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Edinburgh Parking GuideCity of Edinburgh Council’s official parking & permit information

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Edinburgh Low Emission ZoneCheck whether your journey passes through the LEZ boundary

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Royal Mail RedirectionSet up mail forwarding when you move house — free online

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Update Your DVLA AddressUpdate your driving licence when you move — legally required

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Traffic ScotlandLive traffic updates, road incidents and journey planning

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Edinburgh Weather — BBCCheck the forecast before moving day — this is Scotland after all

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AA Route PlannerPlan van-appropriate routes with height and weight filter options

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DVLA Vehicle DocumentsUnderstanding V5C certificates and vehicle documentation

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Parking Dispensations — Gov.ukHow to apply for temporary access to controlled parking zones

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Citizens Advice — Moving HouseLegal and practical guidance for tenants and home movers in Scotland

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MoneyHelper — Moving CostsBudget planning tool for all costs involved in a house move

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A note from Ted Hanley, founder of Easihire

Easihire was built on one simple principle: treat every customer exactly as you’d want your own family to be treated. We’re not a faceless national chain. I’m here, my team is here, and we genuinely care that your hire goes well — whether you’re moving your first flat, running a business, or just need a van for the day. Edinburgh is our home too, and that matters to us. Pick up the phone. We love a chat, and we’ll always give you a straight answer.

Ready to book your van?

Call Ted and the team or book online. No hidden fees, no nasty surprises — just honest, reliable van hire from a family that’s proud to serve Edinburgh.

📞 Call 0131 322 6597

Easihire Van Rental Edinburgh — a family business, run by Ted Hanley, proudly serving Edinburgh and the Lothians.

This guide is reviewed and updated regularly. Last updated April 2026. For the latest van availability, please call us directly.

Your Complete Guide toHiring a Van in Edinburgh