Should I hire a Luton van for a university move?

In short – yes, a Luton van is a brilliant choice for a university move. Its reputation is already well-established; it’s one of the most versatile vehicles for moving jobs of all kinds. Its box-shaped load area, tall interior height, and flat floor all combine to make it a favourite for transporting large or bulky items, whether for home removals, commercial deliveries, or events. This combination of practicality, capacity, and ease of use is what makes the Luton van a reliable choice for carrying out big moves – including ferrying students off to university.

With a fleet of around 500 vehicles to choose from here at Intack Self Drive, we have a long and successful track record of supplying to private and domestic customers, and our Luton vans are a frequent favourite of anyone considering short-term van hire. So, let’s dive into a bit more detail on the key reasons why you might want to consider a Luton van!

Why a Luton Van is a Good Choice for a University Move

Essentially, a Luton van offers everything you need for a smooth student move. This includes:

• Room for furniture, boxes, and bulky items
• Tall, squared-off load space for stacking
• Tie-down points for keeping items secure
• Tail lift for lifting heavy pieces
• Capacity for completing the move in one trip

To explore those in a bit more depth – when you’re moving to or from university, you often need to transport more than you expect, from personal belongings and study materials to furniture and kitchen essentials.

One of the key reasons why a Luton van is so well-suited for this type of move is largely because its large load space can handle these mixed items in one trip. A Luton van typically offers a load space of around 15 to 17 cubic metres, which is plenty of room for a student move. That means you can fit everything from boxes of clothes and bedding to kitchen equipment, chairs, desks, and even mattresses without the need for multiple vehicles. The space is usually over two metres in height, taller pieces can be loaded without having to tilt them awkwardly. The flat, boxy shape of the loading area makes it straightforward to stack items, which helps you make the most of the available space.

That often means you can fit everything you need in a single journey, which is particularly useful if you’re travelling a long distance or working to a strict timeline before term begins. This makes it far easier to organise your move and reduces the stress that comes with juggling multiple trips or vehicles. Plus, your possessions can stay together during the move, reducing the risk of losing anything or damaging your things through poor packing in a smaller vehicle.

It’s also worth noting that the load area often comes with tie-down points, which help you secure items and prevent them from shifting during the journey. The tail lift available on many Luton vans is especially helpful when you’re moving the heavy or awkward items we mentioned above, such as a mini-fridge or a sofa, as it allows you to load them safely without straining yourself.

What to Expect When Driving a Luton Van

Now, if you’re a student yourself, there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to personally drive the van. In order to legally drive a Luton van, you need a UK Category B licence, which is the standard car licence. That licence only lets you drive vehicles up to 3,500kg. If you passed your test after 1 January 1997, that’s all you have – you don’t automatically get any extra entitlements.

To drive anything heavier than 3,500kg, which includes many Luton vans with tail lifts or reinforced builds, you’d need a Category C1 licence. That’s a different licence altogether, and you only get it if you take extra training and pass a separate test. If you were born around 2008 (for example) and have just passed your test, you definitely don’t have that entitlement, so won’t be able to legally drive those heavier vans. In that case, you’d need someone with the correct licence to drive it for you.

If on the other hand you’re driving as a parent or guardian, and you have all the necessary entitlements to be able to do so, you might find that driving a Luton van is different from driving a car, but not particularly difficult – especially with a bit of care and preparation. You’ll need to account for the extra size, especially the height, when you’re on the road and entering car parks or passing under low bridges. The wider turning circle and longer body also mean you’ll need to plan manoeuvres in advance and give yourself more room when taking corners.

Although the slight extra difficulty curve can be slightly intimidating, lots of our customers end up being pleasantly surprised by how comfortable Luton vans are to drive. Modern models often come with power steering, good visibility, and mirrors that make it easier to see your surroundings. Before setting off, take time to adjust the seating position and mirrors to suit you. It’s worth practising in a quiet area if you’re new to driving vans so you can get used to the size and feel before hitting busier roads. With careful planning and a steady approach, driving a Luton van for your move is easier than you might think – and all in all, that makes it a neat solution to all the challenges that a university move might pose.

And if you’ve got a long way to go with your journey, you might want to check out our post on the best ways to pass the time on a long trip! Alternatively, if you’re ready to hire a van today, head on over to our van hire page. If you’ve got any questions, you can find some answers on our FAQs page, or you can even just give us a call on 01254 57811. Our team is always happy to help!