If you are a new driver and have just passed your test, then you may be itching to get out and drive. However, you may also be a little bit nervous and one of the things that many new drivers are concerned about is driving on the motorway. Continue reading Building your Motorway Driving Confidence →

When hiring a car, you will often be presented with a choice: unlimited mileage or limited mileage, also known as a mileage cap. Which of these you opt for will depend very much on your circumstances when driving. Continue reading Why mileage matters for your car rental →

Forklift trucks are a crucial piece of equipment and are used in workplaces where heavy loads need to be move around. From warehouses to factories to agricultural work, there are many workplaces that rely on a forklift to get jobs done efficiently. Continue reading Reducing the Risk of Forklift Truck Accidents at Work →

Renting a car can make travel easier and more flexible. However, it’s important to be prepared and thorough. Here we’ll share our car hire checklist to help you get the most out of your rental and avoid the common pitfalls. Continue reading What should be on your car hire checklist? →

Renting a car can really enhance your travel experience, giving you plenty of flexibility and convenience; however, making the right choice requires careful consideration. Here are four essential factors to keep in mind when hiring a car.

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1. Type of vehicle

   Choosing the right vehicle basically depends on your needs and why you are making your trip in the first place, so this is something you will need to think about. As an example, bigger groups might need a larger vehicle, while you can get away with something smaller for a solo trip.

   2. Rental costs and policies

   Understanding the cost structure of the rental can save you from unexpected expenses. Make sure you are happy with this and compare prices from different rental companies, looking for any hidden fees such as insurance, additional driver fees, or charges for sat nav and child seats. Finally, check the fuel policy. Some companies will ask you to come back with a full tank, which will result in a charge if you do not comply.

   3. Insurance coverage

   Insurance is crucial when renting a car. Most rental companies offer various options, such as car hire excess insurance, but these can be pricey. Check whether your personal car insurance or credit card covers rental cars; if not, a specialist such as Money Maxim can help you to find the best deal.

   4. Rental company reputation

   The reputation of the rental company can significantly impact your experience and how happy you are with not only the car but also the process from beginning to end. A good thing to do is look for reviews and ratings online to gauge customer satisfaction and see what other people have to say. A reputable company will have transparent policies, good customer service, and well-maintained vehicles, while you should avoid companies with frequent complaints about hidden fees, poor service, unreliable cars, or any other factor.

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Final thoughts

Hiring a car can be an excellent option, especially when you have no need for a car in your everyday life.

The number of people working for themselves in the UK continues to rise and many need larger transport. Continue reading What to consider before buying a van for your business →

The Ford Transit is one of the best selling vehicles in the UK and Europe. Over the years it’s grown to be the one of the best selling light goods transport vehicles on the market. It is such a common sight on UK roads that the name Transit has become synonymous with all Vans, even when it’s not a Ford. It’s one of the many options offered by Autolyne Van Leasing, a Van Leasing Bristol based company. Continue reading A brief history of the Ford Transit →

Keeping your vehicles safe and roadworthy during the winter months can be a bit of a challenge. Cars do not react well to the bad weather that occurs in these months, and it’s a good idea to constantly check all the various parts of the car that are exposed to the elements. Here are some things you can do to ensure all is as it should be.

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1. Tyres. These are the most important things on your car in the winter.  They will keep your vehicle on the road and maintain grip. However, the tyre is lonely as good as the grip you have on them. Use a depth gauge to check you have plenty of treads and that the tyres are correctly inflated.
2. Trailer Parts. If you have a trailer, you need to ensure that all of its parts are operational. If you need it, say to bring the Christmas tree home, then the trailer has to be roadworthy just as much as the car does. However, serious issues can occur if it does not. Look to suppliers like autoandtrailer.
3. Wipers. Without your wipers, you can’t see out. The amount of rubbish that gets thrown up onto the windscreen in the winter is considerable, so you need them to be tip-top.

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1. Windscreen cleaner. On the other side, you also need to ensure that your windscreen washer bottle is complete and has some kind of detergent.
2. Brake fluid and Engine coolant. The car has to work much harder in the winter, so it will need to be topped up with these vital liquids.

There are several tips that need to be considered when driving with a trailer.  If this is your first time with an attachment hooked to the rear of the car it is a good idea to appraise yourself of what you will need to do. It is a very different experience when handling a trailer as the car or vehicle immediately grows in size. Therefore you have to have your wits about you.  Here are a few pointers to remember before you set off. If it’s clear that you need some Trailer Parts  before you even begin, it’s best to visit these experts first  at Auto and Trailer.

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1.  Check that the trailer is in good condition.  This means checking that it’s tyre pressures are correct and that there is plenty of tread on the tires.  Just like a car, trailers are liable to skidding if the tyres are defective.
2.  Slow down.  You will not be able to drive at the normal speed you would in an unattached vehicle.  The extra weight from the trailer will change the nature of the car’s steering.  You should  also check the highway code for what legislation there is regarding driving with trailers.  overtaking for example is not allowed

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1.  Be more aware.  Although you would be like this at the best of times in an unattached vehicle with a trailer on the back of the car or van you need to be even more aware of other road users around you.  For example, pulling out of a junction will require more care and attention than before.
2.  Ensure that the trailer is evenly balanced.  Whatever you are placing in the back of the trailer must be of an  equally distributed weight.  The trailer could overbalance and also cause issues with the car’s handling if it is wrongly weighted.
3.  Make sure that whatever is in the trailer is securely fastened down and cannot slip about.

A fleet of vehicles is a big part of many businesses in the UK and managing a fleet can be a challenging task! If you are in the position of running a fleet of vehicles – maybe you have recently set up your own company, or maybe you have inherited the job within your company?

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Here are a few things to remember if you are running a fleet of vehicles…

The first thing to think about is the maintenance of the vehicles. Vehicles are required by law to be regularly checked, so you can book this in on a service schedule to ensure that they aren’t all booked in at the same time! The other thing that you need to do is get the drivers to perform daily vehicle checks – get them to fill in a checklist to highlight any problems that they notice. These can be resolved straight away then and this prevents many problems developing into bigger and more expensive problems.

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It is also a good idea to look into tracking your vehicles. This is something that can help you in many ways. It is easy to do and you will find lots of vehicle tracking companies who can help with this. It is a great way to help you with route planning – planning routes more effectively will help to save money on fuel. It is also a good way to see where your drivers are so you can pass detailed information on to customers who are awaiting a delivery for example.