# How to get approved for car or van hire

> The practical things that actually get a short-term hire application approved, affordability, documents, deposit and honesty, plus the small mistakes that…

Source: https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/guides/how-to-get-approved-for-car-or-van-hire

---

# How to get approved for car or van hire

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

**Getting approved for short-term car or van hire comes down to three things: showing the monthly cost is comfortably affordable, having your ID and documents ready, and being matched to a supplier who works with your situation. Your credit score matters far less than it does for finance, hire is judged on affordability now, not history.**

## What actually decides a hire application?

- [turned down for finance](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/bad-credit-car-leasing)
- [start your quote](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/apply)
- [documents guide](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/guides/documents-you-need-to-hire-a-car)
- [no-deposit and low-deposit hire](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/guides/no-deposit-car-hire-explained)
- [low-deposit options](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/hire/no-deposit)
- [CCJ or default](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/car-and-van-hire-after-a-ccj-or-default)
- [IVA or past bankruptcy](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/car-and-van-hire-after-bankruptcy-or-iva)
- [self-employed](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/hire/self-employed)
- [brand-new business](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/hire/business-vehicle-hire)
- [Check my options →](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/apply?niche=bad-credit)
- [No & low deposit](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/hire/no-deposit)
- [Self-employed & sole traders](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/hire/self-employed)
- [On benefits / social tenants](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/hire/car-hire-on-benefits)
- [How to rent a car with bad credit (UK, 2026)](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/guides/how-to-rent-a-car-with-bad-credit)
- [What documents do you need to hire a car?](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/guides/documents-you-need-to-hire-a-car)
- [No-deposit car hire explained: is it worth it?](https://fasttrackleasing.co.uk/guides/no-deposit-car-hire-explained)