For sole traders & contractors
Hire for the self-employed
Yes — self-employed drivers, contractors and sole traders can hire a car or van even with irregular income or a thin credit file. Short-term rental partners weigh affordability and ID over payslips, so variable earnings are not the barrier they are with finance.
Check my options →Updated August 2026
If you work for yourself, you already know the frustration: lenders want neat, salaried payslips, and self-employment does not fit the box. Short-term hire is more pragmatic — it is about whether the monthly cost is affordable now, which suits contractors, tradespeople and gig-economy drivers whose income moves month to month.
Income that does not fit a payslip
Bank statements, invoices or accounts can all evidence affordability — you are not penalised simply for not having a salary. That is the practical difference between hire and finance for the self-employed: the question is "can you comfortably cover the monthly?", not "can you produce three identical payslips?".
A vehicle that earns its keep
For most self-employed drivers the vehicle is a tool that makes money — a van for a trade, a clean car for client work, something reliable for deliveries. Flexible 1–36 month terms mean you can scale up in busy seasons and hand the vehicle back when work is quieter, without a multi-year commitment hanging over you.
Facts & figures
The bigger picture
Source: ONS, 2026
Source: FCA Financial Lives 2024, 2024
Source: DVLA / GOV.UK, 2025
Check your options in 60 seconds
No credit check to get a quote, and no obligation. Tell us what you need and we’ll match you to the right partner.
- ✓ No credit check to quote
- ✓ Free & no obligation
- ✓ Flexible 1–36 months
Thanks — your enquiry is in.
We’ll pass your details to a suitable rental partner from our panel, and they’ll be in touch about what they can offer. As an introducer we don’t supply the vehicle ourselves, and there’s nothing more you need to send us right now — we’re not asking for any documents at this stage.
Nothing is agreed until you deal directly with the supplier and you’re happy to go ahead.
Browse more vehicles →Free, no obligation · No credit check · No impact on your credit score
Common questions
I have only been self-employed a few months — can I still hire?
Often yes. Partners look at current affordability rather than demanding years of accounts, so a relatively new sole trader can frequently be matched.
What can I use to prove income?
Typically recent bank statements, invoices or accounts. The supplying partner confirms exactly what they need before anything is agreed.
Does enquiring affect my credit score?
No. Getting a quote involves no credit search. Any check happens later, with the rental partner, and only with your permission.