Practical Car and Van Rental Rayleigh | Important Rental Booking Information

Terms and Conditions

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WEBSITE IS A BOOKING/ENQUIRY/CONTACT SERVICE OPERATED BY PRACTICAL CAR & VAN RENTAL LTD ON BEHALF OF OUR FRANCHISEES. ANY BOOKING/ENQUIRY/CONTACT IS MADE WITH THE FRANCHISEE AND ANY LEGAL CONTRACT IS ENTERED INTO BETWEEN THE RENTER AND THE FRANCHISEE DIRECTLY, NOT PRACTICAL CAR & VAN RENTAL LTD. THE DETAILS OF THE LEGAL ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE FRANCHISEES WEBPAGE OR BY CONTACTING PRACTICAL HEAD OFFICE ON 0121 772 8599.

All drivers and/or payees must show valid original driving licences plus 2 forms of ID, copies are not accepted. See below for the GB licence check procedure.
All pricing is per day and subject to availability.
Minimum rental period is 24 hours (unless stated otherwise).
All rentals include insurance (subject to excess, breakdown cover, mileage (subject to local limits) and VAT).
Collision Damage Waiver may be available – please ask for details.
The Damage and Theft excess may vary by location – please ask for details.
Van Rentals are subject to an overhead roof damage excess.
Additional Drivers are acceptable at an additional cost.
Drivers must have held their licence for a minimum of 12 months (or 2 years if the driver is under 25 or a non UK licence holder and local restrictions may apply too).
One Way rentals are available – please ask for details.
Deposits by credit or debit card are required on all rentals. Payment is generally taken when you collect the vehicle, however this policy varies, please check with your renting location as some sites require a booking deposit.
When you reserve a vehicle with us we will assume your drop off time is the same as your pick up time UNLESS YOU MAKE IT CLEAR OTHERWISE.

Car/MPV Hire Age Range: 23-75 (this may vary on some makes and models)
Van/Minibus Hire Age Range: 23-72 (this may vary on some makes and models)
Drivers outside these ranges may be accepted subject to insurance clearance (surcharges may apply)

Foreign Licence Rules - We must be able to read and understand the licence presented and establish it is valid. We cannot accept an International Drivers Permit on it's own without the original under any circumstances. European Licences with the EU symbol are acceptable without an International licence. IDP's are intended for the purpose of translation and validity of the original. The onus is on the Renter to provide a translation to confirm all our Insurance Risk questions.
Sat Nav units may be available - please ask for details.

Each of our franchisees is a separate legal entity and as such Practical Car & Van Rental Ltd cannnot and will not be held responsible for any financial recompense or legal liability deemed appropriate by any third party.

Cancellation and No Show Policy

If your travel plans change, you may normally cancel your booking free of charge anytime up until 24 hours before your rental is due to start except rentals commencing on a Monday which require 48 hours notice of cancellation. Please check with your renting site if the local terms are different.

If you fail to pick up your car or van on the day your rental is due to start, or do not cancel with more than 24 hours notice prior to the time it is due to start, you will be required to pay at least £35 or the locations own designated fee.

Vehicles are subject to availability. If not available a free upgrade to the next vehicle group will be offered. The location you want to book with will give you a minimum 48 hours notice in the event that they have to cancel your booking in extreme unforeseen circumstances, Cancellation would only occur after every effort has been made to source an alternative vehicle/transport and where a free upgrade would not be appropriate.

GB Driving Licence Checking procedure.

You may check your licence yourself online no more than 72 hours in advance OR check at the rental office when you collect your vehicle.

This will add a few minutes to the normal procedure so please allow time for this to be done.

This is essential for Rental Companies to do in order to comply with the Insurance Companies Rules.

To check you will need your Driving Licence, National Insurance Number and Post Code.

First go to this web site address:- https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

Then choose to SHARE the driving licence information, this page can be printed as well. If you cannot print - no problem - BUT make sure you bring the SHARE code to the rental office along with the licence and your ID. NB note the share code is case sensitive.

All GB Drivers Must Do This

On arrival at site the renting location will enter the SHARE code that you the driver(s) have been given. This will be printed and retained (on ONE page) all of the drivers information. The rental company has to have this information for their Insurance Company.

There is also another option for GB customers who have trouble on the web checking their own licence or who don't know their National Insurance number. If GB licence holders cannot generate a code online then you can call 0300 083 0013 (national rate from a land line) and DVLA will provide you with a SHARE code. Monday to Friday 8.00am to 7pm, Saturday 8.00am to 2pm. National Insurance number NOT needed.

Alternatively you can call DVLA on 0300 790 6801 (national rate from a land line) and leave permission for your driving record to be checked verbally by a nominated person or organisation. You have to go through 3 levels of options which are 1 - 4 - 2. This permission is valid for 7 days. Monday to Friday 8.00am to 7pm, Saturday 8.00am to 2pm. National Insurance number NOT needed. The nominated site who needs the information then calls DVLA, states who they are and that there is a verbal message allowing them the information. DVLA will then give the details the site needs (entitlements and endorsements).

Age Requirements

Our minimum age for Car & Van Rental is 25. If you are 23 or 24 we may be able to provide a vehicle subject to approval from our insurers. Unfortunately if you are below 23 we will not be able to provide you with any vehicle. Maximum rental age is 75.

For further information please contact the site directly.

No Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in our vehicles. Failure to comply will result in a cleaning fee of £100.00 Plus VAT.

Notice Period

For bookings placed with less then one hours notice please contact the site to ensure they can have the vehicle available for you. In some instances without notice we will not be able to have the vehicle ready for you. To avoid dissapointment contact site once booking has been placed.

Telephone: 01268 784870

Dart Charge

All vehicles from this location are registered for the Dartford Crossing. Any crossings made while on hire will be charged directly at the prevailing rate to your payment card or deducted from your deposit on return.

Congestion Charge / ULEZ

All cars from this location are ULEZ certified under Euro6 regulations. Hirer remains responsible for paying Congestion Charge whenever they drive into the Congestion Charge zone. Failure to pay will trigger a penalty charge from TfL and administration fees to handle this penalty charge for both ourselves and the vehicle provider

Saturday Bookings

Please note due to covid we are currently only open on saturday mornings between 9am and 11am only by appointment for pre-arranged vehicle collection and drop offs. If you need a vehicle on a saturday morning for the weekend please ensure you contact us and book before close of business on the friday.

Rayleigh Terms and Conditions