Clear pricing matters, and at Cargo Hire we keep it that way from start to finish. As a family-run vehicle hire company in Rochester, Kent, with over 35 years' experience serving Medway and the surrounding areas, we've built our name on honest, no-nonsense service. We want your hire to end exactly as it began — with no nasty surprises when you hand back the keys. That said, a few situations leave us no choice but to apply extra charges, usually to cover admin or specialist cleaning. This page sets them all out clearly, so you know how to steer well clear of them.
As the registered owner of every vehicle in our fleet, we receive any traffic-related notices linked to your hire period. Here's how that works — and what it means for you.
Local authorities and enforcement bodies send all notices to us as the registered keeper, not directly to you. These can include:
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When a notice arrives, we're legally required to transfer responsibility to the person who hired the vehicle. To do this, we charge a fixed administration fee for each notice we process. This covers the paperwork involved in redirecting the matter to your details.
One thing to remember: this fee is separate from the fine itself. You remain fully responsible for paying the actual penalty directly to the body that issued it.
We expect a fair amount of everyday use during your hire — that's perfectly normal. All we ask is that you treat our vehicles with respect and return them in good order.
UK law treats our hire cars, vans and minibuses as public workplaces, which makes smoking inside any of them strictly illegal. We take this seriously.
If we find smoke odours, ash or burn marks on return, we apply a minimum penalty charge. Where heavy smoke damage requires a specialist deep clean, this charge can rise — up to the value of your full insurance excess. The simplest way to avoid it is straightforward: don't smoke in the vehicle.
A quick tidy before you return saves you money. We'll add a valeting charge if a vehicle comes back with:
The exact cost depends on the time and equipment needed to bring the cabin back to a clean, ready-to-hire standard.
Every vehicle leaves us with a full tank, and we ask that you return it the same way. It's a simple, fair arrangement that keeps things clear for everyone.
If the gauge sits below full when you arrive back at our Rochester depot, we apply a refuelling surcharge. This is an administration fee added on top of the actual cost of the fuel needed to top up the tank.
Avoiding it is easy:
Still have a question about extra charges? Here are the ones we're asked most often.
Returning a vehicle late can affect the next customer's booking, so we may apply an additional charge for the extra time. If you think you might run over, call us as early as possible — we'll do our best to help and explain any costs upfront.
Lost or damaged keys can be expensive to replace, as modern vehicle keys often need specialist programming. The exact cost depends on the vehicle, so we'll confirm the figure clearly before any work goes ahead. Look after your keys throughout the hire and you'll have nothing to worry about.
Yes. Any toll charges, crossings or zone fees incurred during your hire are your responsibility. The Dartford Crossing, for example, isn't far from Medway and uses an automatic charging system. Plan how you'll pay in advance so you don't pick up a penalty — and just ask our team if you're unsure about your route.
The good news? Almost every charge on this page is simple to avoid. Drive safely, park legally, keep the cabin tidy, fill the tank before you return, and look after your keys. Do that, and you'll hand back the keys with nothing more to pay.
Got a question about any of our policies? Our friendly local team in Rochester is always happy to talk things through.
Or call us today on 01634 722289