Looking for a truck rental for your business? Make sure you know these laws

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Are you about to start your small business that delivers goods, equipment or products to your customers but are not financially strong enough to purchase your own delivery truck? Or you need another truck for your business but cannot afford to buy one at the moment? There is a solution. Truck Rental!

There are many businesses that rent trucks for the delivery of their products and it’s working great for them. This option is so effective that many businesses have opted for it long term and find it more economical than acquiring theirs. They have found it to be cost-effective, as they not only do not have to outlay huge sum for the initial purchase but also get to avoid the overhead cost of maintenance. If you chose to go this way too, however, there are laws and regulations you must know.

There is a tonne of choices for your truck rental. Good truck rental companies have a range of options for you to choose from, with payload, curtainside, axle, semi, furniture, hiab, watercart, EWP, hardside, refrigerated, tipper, tractor, bulky, pull trailer, trombone, low loader, minilift, swinglift, flat deck, flatbed, and even combos of these. You need to make sure the truck you choose is what’s needed for your business. Getting a truck rental through TR group is one sure way to get what you need.

Check you have the right license to rent and drive that category of truck

To drive a truck, you need to have a heavy vehicle license. Within this category, there are four subclasses of licenses. Because sometimes, size does matter.

• Most people have a class 1 licence, which covers standard vehicles such as cars and SUVs
• A class 2 licence is for medium rigid vehicles
• A class 3 licence covers all 1 and 2 type vehicles
• A class 4 licence covers a rigid vehicle up to 18,000kg
• A class 5 licence allows you to drive combination vehicles up to and over 25,000kg.

Unless you have a special endorsement on your licence, you cannot legally drive most types of trucks, and a truck rental company will not hire a vehicle to you.

Make sure your truck rental has all the paperwork

One of the most important things to check and double-check before you rent a truck is whether all the paperwork is in order. Aside from your own paperwork – the correct heavy vehicle license and insurance, ensure that the truck rental company has all the papers for the vehicle you plan to rent.

This includes a current Warrant of Fitness or Certificate of Fitness – any vehicle on the road is required by law to have the certificate. Next is to confirm that the truck you are renting is registered and has the proper license plates. And then you will want to also check that the truck’s licensing is up to date – check that the windshield of your truck rental has the appropriate – and current – license label on its windshield. Make sure the RUC (Road User Charges) are up to date if the truck you are renting operates on diesel.

Trucks have different driving needs

Driving a heavy vehicle like a truck is quite a different proposition than driving a car. From manoeuvring to visibility, from speed limits to ability to access smaller roads, there are many factors you should take into consideration. For one, you should remember and follow the rule of being able to go a maximum speed of 90 km on the open road – that’s the law for heavy vehicles.

Do also keep in mind that you have to get additional permission/apply for a permit if you have an overload or over dimension vehicle. You may also have to have a qualified load pilot on board, to supervise the truck’s journey.

Your turning radius is much less than in a regular size and weight vehicle, the time it takes for you to stop the truck after braking is also longer thanks to the laws of physics and the truck having far more mass than a car. Of course, you will require more space – height, length and breadth wise, when taking turns, parking or overtaking. The centre of gravity when you are in a heavy truck is vastly different from your regular ride. You wouldn’t want to find yourself stuck, or worse in an accident because you underestimated the space on the road, or worse, overestimated your skills. Especially when it is not your own vehicle but a truck rental.

Also, you will be competing for space on the road with other motorists which means you need to be even more cautious. You will be driving the bigger vehicle, so the onus will also lie in your hands.

Packing your vehicle

There is an art form to safe packing, loading, and unloading of your rental truck. You need to secure everything properly, and confirm you have the adequate space (and permissions, if needed) to load and unload. Stacked boxes will fall over unless restrained, and the rental truck may not come with adequate straps or restraints.

While your truck rental agency will likely run you through the paperwork and legalities, you want to make sure you are fully prepared. Depending on your negotiation with the rental company, you can add some removable posters/banners at the side of the truck. Of course, you need to get an advert permit from your local agency to avoid any issues with the authorities. Eventually, as your business and brand grow, you may need to get your own delivery vehicle. This adds a measure of stature and enhances both your visibility and reputation as a company. In the meantime, however, you can make do with truck rental services hitch-free for haulage of your business products.

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