Hiring a Van by the Week: What Tradies and Couriers Should Know

Van hire with Subhan Rental Services is weekly, not daily: each van has a minimum term of one month, rent is charged weekly in advance, and after the first month you can hand it back on two weeks' notice. In Victoria you need a heavy vehicle licence only for a vehicle with a gross mass of more than 4.5 tonnes, so a standard car licence covers the light commercial vans most tradies and couriers use. Our van range includes Toyota HiAce and Ford Transit vans, and minibuses are available on request, so check the van hire page for what is available before you plan a job around it.

Do I need a special licence to hire a van in Melbourne?

VicRoads says you need a Victorian heavy vehicle licence to drive a vehicle with a gross mass of more than 4.5 tonnes. Below that, a car licence is enough. Light commercial vans are generally under that limit, but the figure that counts is the gross vehicle mass for the specific van, which is on its compliance plate. Ask us if you are unsure.

For the rental, we accept a full Victorian or Australian licence, red or green P-plates, or an overseas licence, and we check the front and back of the physical card at pickup. A licence not in English needs an accredited English translation or an International Driving Permit. P-platers must follow their own licence conditions.

What vans can I hire?

Our commercial range includes Toyota HiAce and Ford Transit vans, and minibuses (a 16-seat Mercedes Sprinter and a 21-seat Toyota Coaster) are available on request. For a family-size group, 8-seat Kia Carnivals are listed under 7 and 8 seater hire; our 7 and 8 seater guide explains the layouts. Stock changes, so the van hire page is the place to check what is listed now.

Can I hire a van for a single day?

No. Every van has a one-month minimum term, billed weekly. That suits ongoing work: a regular delivery run, a job that lasts several weeks, a growing business that is not ready to buy, or covering a work vehicle that is off the road. If you only need a van for a day or a weekend move, a daily rental company will suit you better and cost you less.

How much does van hire cost?

The weekly rent and bond are on the van's listing before you enquire. There is no separate business rate and no daily rate. Bonds on our current vans range from about $700 to $850, and up to $1,500 for a minibus. Rent is charged weekly in advance, and the bond is refunded within 30 days of the van being returned, sooner if nothing is outstanding. Fuel, tolls, parking and fines are yours to pay. The cost guide covers what is and is not included, and how rental bonds work explains deductions.

What should a business know before hiring?

• No GST tax invoices. The business is not registered for GST. No GST is charged on rent, and our invoices are not tax invoices, so there is no GST credit to claim on the rent. Talk to your accountant about how that affects you.
• Tell us how the van will be used. Courier and parcel work is allowed in our vans (not in our cars), and we note that use on your rental agreement, so say so on your request. Say it is for courier or delivery work on your request so we can confirm it.
• Stay within the van's rated capacity. Overloading breaks the rental agreement, and the insurer may refuse cover for damage when a vehicle is used in breach of it. In that case you could be responsible for the full cost of the damage.
• Tolls and fines are yours. Every toll, parking fee and infringement during the rental is your responsibility. If a notice comes to us, we may nominate the driver who had the van and tell you when we do.
• Servicing is ours. Scheduled servicing and wear-and-tear repairs are our responsibility. If the van is off the road through a fault that is not yours, we supply a comparable replacement where available or adjust the rent.

What to check on the van before your first job

• The gross vehicle mass and payload on the compliance plate, against what you plan to carry.
• The cargo area: tie-down points, floor, and anything you need to secure a load safely.
• The number of seats, if you need to carry a crew.
• Existing marks and dents, recorded on a condition report with photos. Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends insisting on a condition report and being present when the vehicle is inspected on return.

Hiring a van vs buying one

Buying a van ties up money in the purchase, registration and insurance, and you carry the servicing, repairs and depreciation. Hiring one by the week turns that into a known weekly cost, with servicing and wear-and-tear repairs on us, and lets you hand the van back on two weeks' notice after the first month if the work dries up. Over several years, owning usually costs less in total. Hiring makes more sense while you are testing a new contract, covering a vehicle that is off the road, or waiting to see whether the work is steady enough to justify buying.

How do I book a van?

1. Check the van hire page for what is listed now, with its weekly rent and bond.
2. Send a free request with your licence type, how long you need it and what it is for.
3. We confirm by phone or WhatsApp on 0432 639 096, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
4. Collect the van from our base in Dandenong South. The pickup guide explains the day.

If you need the van for months rather than weeks, read the weekly vs long-term guide or the long-term rental page. The arrangement is the same: one weekly rate, no lease, and two weeks' notice to finish after the first month.

Questions people ask