Home / Tips for renting a moving truck in NYC

Tips for renting a moving truck in NYC

Get Matched with the Best Moving Companies in NYC

Moving From

Moving To

Tell us just a little bit more about your move:

Please insert your contact details and we will get back to you with an estimated price and the best match for your move:

By clicking the “get estimate” button above I agree to the terms of service and the privacy policy. I also verify that this is my telephone number and give consent to representatives of Best Movers NYC and its moving company partners to contact me via email, text message, or by phone. I understand that my consent is not a requirement for any purchase. I understand I may withdraw my consent at any time. Message and data rates may apply.

When you are moving, you have two possibilities. You can hire professionals like Best Movers NY. That will make your moving process much faster and easier. And it will not be only physically easier! You will be spared many organizational worries, as well. However, some people like DIY moving better, especially when moving locally. In such a case, they are usually opting for renting a moving truck in NYC. However, when renting a moving truck, you should know the rules. Failing to stick to them can be quite costly. So, here we have prepared some tips to help you in the process.

To rent a moving truck in NYC, you need a valid driving license

To rent, you don’t need any special moving license. The ordinary driving license will be sufficient. However, give a call to the renting company ahead. There are good chances that they will check your licenses with the respective governmental bodies. So, they may refuse to rent you a truck in the following cases:

If they find out that your licenses are suspended, expired, or revoked
In case you had one or more convictions for reckless driving in the last 48 months
If you had any DWI, DUI, or DWAI sentence in the last 48 months
In case you failed to report an accident
If you were charged for leaving the accidence scene in the last 36 months
If you were found in possession of a stolen vehicle
In case you were convicted of using a vehicle to commit a crime
If you had three or more convictions for traffic violations in the last 24 months (seatbelt violations are exempt)
In case you were involved in two or more accidents within the last 36 months
Other unsatisfactory driving records

So, make sure in advance that you qualify for renting a truck.

Moving trucks driving in the city. — The ordinary driving licenses are sufficient in most cases for renting a moving truck in NYC.

Book a moving truck well in advance

The demands for rental trucks are rather high. So, don’t wait until the last moment. Book a truck for local moving in NYC as soon as you know the moving date. Also, keep in mind that many companies have age restrictions. So, call the company to see what the minimum age is. Most of the companies renting the truck require the driver to be at least 18 years old.

Additional things to take into consideration when renting a moving truck in NYC

In general, there are several things to keep in mind when renting a truck in NYC. And, before renting, make sure to clarify them with the renting company:

Mileage which the company is charging per mile
What is the return time policy
Are you entitled to any discounts
What are your liabilities

When renting a moving truck in NYC - Inside the vehicle with navigation gadget. — Charges over the mileage limit are rather high.

Payment per mileage

Before you start comparing the truck rental companies, you should make some basic calculations. You must know how many miles you will have to travel. Usually, people are comparing truck rental companies on the bases of the quotes. So, it can happen that some quote is very favorable. Thus, it will be attractive. However, that is the price that you pay when moving within a certain distance. Everything over the company set limit is subject to different charges. So, make sure to check what the company asks for additional miles.

In case you are moving to the next NYC brought, the additional price will not be a big deal. Also, it is good to rent from a company that has a post in the area where you move. So, you can just leave the truck there, instead of driving it back.

Company return time policy

All truck rental rates are based on a 24-hour period. Simply said, in case you take a truck at 10 AM or 16 PM, you have to return it until 24.00 hrs. Otherwise, past 24.00, you will be charged for additional 3 hrs. In case you keep the vehicle longer, you will have to pay full charges for the second day.

Also, the charges for optional waivers and insurance are also all applied on a 24-hour basis. So, if renting a truck for commercial moving in NYC, make sure to include the projected return time into your moving budget.

Check if you are entitled to discounts

Some of the NYC moving truck renting companies are granting discounts for students, seniors, or military personnel. In case you have someone from this category in a family, use the opportunity. That person can present his papers, and you can get a discount.

When renting a truck, make clear what are your liabilities

To avoid misunderstanding, when renting ensure you know what are your liabilities regarding the moving truck. They may differ from company to company. The rental companies are offering certain damage coverage. Unfortunately, they don’t apply to all kinds of damages. Say, if you damage a truck roof during transportation, you have to pay for the repair. So, make clear what are your liabilities. That way, you will avoid paying even the repairs for the covered damages. The best would be to have such a policy in writing, as a part of the renting contract.

A person is signing a document. — To avoid misunderstandings, check the rental agreement carefully.

Also, check the refueling policy of the company. It has to be agreed on who is refueling the tank. Will the tank be full at the time of taking over? In return, do you have to refuel it? Or is the fuel included in the rental price. Setting a clear policy will prevent any misunderstandings. And so, the possible disputes.

Don’t rent too big renting trucks

Bigger moving trucks cost more. So, if you don’t know how big a truck do you need, ask some experts. Renting a too-small truck and squeezing the things, you can easily break something. Renting too huge a track, you might end up paying for driving the thin air. Here is also a shortlist that can help you to make the basic calculations:

12ft box truck: for moving 1–2 bedroom or studio apartment
16ft box truck: for moving 3–4 rooms
26ft box truck: for moving bigger houses, or larger apartments (about 500 boxes of medium size)

When renting a moving truck, you must know that some things you are forbidden to transport

Every moving company has a list of the items forbidden for transportation. And it applies to the rental trucks too. So, when negotiating with the rental company, ask them for the list of forbidden items. Regardless of whether you are renting a moving truck for residential moving in NYC, you will have to respect those regulations. In case of damaging a vehicle, you will have to reimburse the company. And you can easily end up paying fines to the respective state bodies.

Here are the 5 things that you should not even think of packing into a rental vehicle:

Explosive and flammable materials
Firearms
Hazardous materials
Perishables
Essential documents

Choosing a rental truck company

Many people are of opinion that DIY moving they will just load the things and unload them at the new home. However, you now know what you have to do when renting a moving truck in NYC. Besides all stated, when choosing a rental truck company, you will have to check reviews. Also, it is good to check with friends and relatives. They could have some useful information.

Also, choosing the rental truck company is like choosing the movers. You will have to follow all the procedures and checks. The important is to make sure that you are not dealing with cons. By careful check, you will find a reputable NYC rental company.