Speedy Same Day Courier's UK courier vehicle size guide helps you choose the right vehicle for your delivery — from motorbikes for documents to 7.5 ton curtain siders for pallets and large freight. This courier vehicle size guide covers payload weights, internal dimensions, load capacities and ideal use cases for every vehicle in our fleet. Use this guide to select the correct vehicle and get an accurate same day delivery quote.

HomeAbout SpeedyCourier Vehicle Size Guide UK

🚐 UK COURIER VEHICLE SIZE GUIDE

Courier Vehicle Size Guide UK — Find the Right Vehicle for Your Delivery

Not sure which vehicle you need? This courier vehicle size guide covers every vehicle in our UK fleet — dimensions, payload weights, load capacities and the ideal items for each. Choose the right vehicle, get the right price and ensure your consignment arrives safely today.

Not sure? Call us — our team will advise the right vehicle for your load in under 2 minutes

How to use this courier vehicle size guide

Choosing the correct vehicle is important for two reasons: it ensures your consignment fits safely, and it ensures you are paying the right price rather than over-ordering a larger vehicle than you need. As a result, using this courier vehicle size guide before you book will save you time and money. Each vehicle card below shows the internal dimensions, maximum payload weight, what typically fits and the service level it is best suited to.

If you are unsure which vehicle fits your load, call us on 0330 223 4790 — our team will advise the correct option in under 2 minutes based on your item dimensions and weight. Furthermore, if your load is borderline between two vehicle sizes, we will always recommend the smaller vehicle where possible to keep your cost as low as it can be.

🏍
Vehicle 1 of 9

Motorbike / Motorcycle Courier

Fastest urban option — beats all city traffic
Under 5kg
Max payload
📐 Capacity
Max weight
Under 5kg
Max size
A3 document / small parcel
Storage
Top box & document carrier
✅ What fits
Legal documents & court papers
Contracts & agreements
Medical records & referrals
Passports & ID documents
Keys & access cards
Small parcels under 5kg
USB drives & samples
⚡ Best for
Urban city deliveries where speed is critical. A motorbike beats all London and city centre traffic — typically 2–3× faster than a car for inner-city routes.
Coverage:
All UK cities · 24/7 · 20–30 min collection
Learn more →
Not suitable for: Items over 5kg, anything larger than an A3 envelope or small parcel, fragile items requiring van space
Book motorbike →
🚗
Vehicle 2 of 9

Express Parcel Car - (PC)

Fast, flexible — ideal for parcels and small items
Up to 25kg
Max payload
📐 Dimensions
Max payload
Up to 25kg
Internal length
1.0m
Internal width
1.0m
Internal height
0.75m
✅ What fits
Laptops & IT accessories
Multiple small parcels
Small & medium boxes
Documents & branded items
Pharmaceutical samples
Small artwork & valuables
⚡ Best for
Parcels and small items requiring a more protective environment than a top box — and for longer UK distances where speed on open roads is more important than urban traffic filtering.
All UK routes · 24/7 · 30–45 min collection
Learn more →
Not suitable for: Items over 25kg, anything longer than 1.0m, bulky items requiring a van or loading bay
Book car courier →
🚐
Vehicle 3 of 9

Small Van Courier - (SV)

Compact & cost-effective — boxes, stock & light loads
Up to 400kg
Max payload
📐 Dimensions
Max payload
Up to 400kg
Internal length
1.4m
Internal width
1.2m
Internal height
1.0m
✅ What fits
Multiple boxes & cartons
Office equipment (small)
Small retail stock loads
Small flat-pack furniture
Tools & trade supplies
Bulky parcels & samples
Single Euro pallet (hand-loaded)
⚡ Best for
The most cost-effective van for moderate loads that exceed car capacity — retail deliveries, inter-office stock moves, trade supplies and equipment that needs same day delivery.
UK-wide · 24/7 · ~35–45 min collection
Learn more →
Not suitable for: Items over 400kg or longer than 1.4m, larger furniture, multiple pallets (choose Medium or Large van)
Book small van →
🚐
Vehicle 4 of 9

Medium Van Courier - (SWB)

Extra length & payload — single pallets, furniture & bigger loads
Up to 600kg
Max payload
📐 Dimensions
Max payload
Up to 600kg
Internal length
2.4m
Internal width
1.2m
Internal height
1.2m
✅ What fits
Single standard pallet (hand-loaded)
Multiple boxes & cartons
Office equipment & furniture
Larger flat-pack furniture
Single white good (appliance)
Retail stock & trade supplies
Exhibition materials (medium)
⚡ Best for
The step up from a small van — extra length and payload for single pallets, furniture and mid-size stock moves that need more room than a small van but don't yet require a tail-lift.
UK-wide · 24/7 · ~35–45 min collection
Learn more →
Not suitable for: Loads over 600kg or longer than 2.4m, multiple pallets, pallets needing tail-lift loading (choose Large or X-Large van)
Book medium van →
🚚
Vehicle 5 of 9

Large Van Courier - (LWB)

High payload — bulky freight, furniture & larger loads
Up to 800kg
Max payload
📐 Dimensions
Max payload
Up to 800kg
Internal length
3.0m
Internal width
1.2m
Internal height
1.5m
✅ What fits
Large furniture items
Full office contents (small)
Up to 2 pallets (hand-loaded)
Bulk stock & retail freight
White goods (multiple)
Building materials (light)
Exhibition stand components
⚡ Best for
Bulky items and heavier freight that won't fit in a medium van but don't require a tail-lift for loading. Ideal for man and van collections, office moves and large retail deliveries.
UK-wide · 24/7 · ~40–55 min collection
Man & van service →
Not suitable for: Loads over 800kg, items longer than 3.0m or taller than 1.5m (choose X-Large van), pallets needing tail-lift loading (choose Luton)
Book large van →
🚚
Vehicle 6 of 9

X-Large Van Courier - (XLWB)

Maximum van capacity — long loads, multiple pallets & tall items
Up to 1,000kg
Max payload
📐 Dimensions
Max payload
Up to 1,000kg
Internal length
4.2m
Internal width
1.2m
Internal height
1.8m
✅ What fits
Long items up to 4.2m
Up to 2–3 pallets (hand-loaded)
Full office contents (small–medium)
Tall items up to 1.8m high
Large furniture & white goods
Building materials (light)
Large exhibition freight
⚡ Best for
Our largest van — maximum load length and height without stepping up to a Luton or 7.5 ton. Ideal for long loads, multiple boxes or pallets and bulky goods that can be loaded without a tail-lift.
UK-wide · 24/7 · ~45–55 min collection
Man & van service →
Not suitable for: Loads over 1,000kg, pallets needing tail-lift loading at ground level (choose Luton), multi-pallet dock freight (choose 7.5T)
Book X-large van →
🏗️
Vehicle 7 of 9

Luton Van with Tail-Lift

Pallets & heavy loads — powered tail-lift loading
Up to 1,000kg
Max payload
📐 Dimensions
Max payload
Up to 1,000kg
Internal length
4.5m
Internal width
2.10m
Internal height
1.9m
Tail-lift capacity
~500kg per lift
✅ What fits
Up to 4 standard / Euro pallets
Heavy appliances (fridge, washer)
Large furniture requiring lift
Industrial equipment (light)
Construction materials
Large retail stock (palletised)
Full small house / office move
⚡ Best for
Pallets and heavy loads at sites without a forklift. The powered tail-lift provides safe ground-level loading and unloading — essential for deliveries to offices, retail stores and domestic addresses.
UK-wide · 24/7 · ~45–60 min collection
Pallet delivery →
Not suitable for: Loads over 1,000kg, multi-pallet loads of 5+ standard pallets (choose 7.5T instead)
Book Luton van →
🚛
Vehicle 8 of 9

7.5 Ton Curtain Sider

Multi-pallet loads & heavy freight — industrial capacity
~3,500–5,000kg
Max payload
📐 Dimensions
Max payload
~3,500–5,000kg
Internal length
~6.0m – 7.2m
Internal width
~2.35m – 2.45m
Pallet capacity
6–8 standard Euro pallets
✅ What fits
3–8 Euro/standard pallets
Heavy industrial components
Large retail & FMCG freight
Automotive parts (bulk)
Manufacturing batch freight
Large exhibition freight
Construction materials (heavy)
⚡ Best for
Multi-pallet loads, heavy industrial freight and bulk commercial cargo that exceeds Luton capacity. Curtain sides allow forklift or pallet truck loading from either side of the vehicle.
UK-wide · 24/7 · ~50–60 min collection
Freight haulage →
Not suitable for: Loads over 5,000kg or consignments requiring 18 ton or articulated haulage (call us for a bespoke quote)
Book 7.5T →
🚚
Vehicle 9 of 9

Specialist Haulage

18T rigid, articulated & flatbed — largest freight requirements
5,000kg+
Payload (varies)
📐 Vehicles available
18 ton rigid
~10,000–12,000kg
Articulated curtain sider
~24,000kg
Flatbed & specialist
Bespoke — call us
✅ What fits
Full trailer pallet loads (26+)
Heavy plant & machinery
Full production batch freight
Oversized & abnormal loads
Automotive production lines
Large event & broadcast freight
⚡ How to book
Specialist haulage requirements are quoted individually. Call us on 0330 223 4790 with your load details — dimensions, weight, collection and delivery postcode and required time — and we will confirm the right vehicle and price immediately.
📞 Call 0330 223 4790

📊 Courier vehicle size guide — full comparison table

Use this courier vehicle size guide comparison table to find the right vehicle at a glance. If your load is borderline between two vehicles, always call us — we will advise the most cost-effective option for your specific consignment.

Vehicle Max Weight Internal Length Best for Collection 24/7
🏍 Motorbike Under 5kg Top box Documents, small parcels 20–30 min
🚗 Express Car Up to 25kg 1.0m Laptops, small parcels 30–45 min
🚐 Small Van Up to 400kg 1.4m Boxes, light stock 35–45 min
🚐 Medium Van Up to 600kg 2.4m Single pallet, furniture 35–45 min
🚚 Large Van Up to 800kg 3.0m Furniture, bulky freight 40–55 min
🚚 X-Large Van Up to 1,000kg 4.2m Long loads, 2–3 pallets 45–55 min
🏗️ Luton + Tail-lift Up to 1,000kg 4.5m Pallets, heavy appliances 45–60 min
🚛 7.5T Curtain ~3,500–5,000kg 6.0m – 7.2m Multi-pallet, heavy cargo 50–60 min
🚚 Specialist 5,000kg+ Varies Large freight, plant Call us

🤔 Not sure which vehicle you need? Use this quick guide

Answer these three questions to find the right vehicle. Alternatively, call 0330 223 4790 and our team will advise in under 2 minutes — no charge for advice.

1. What's the total weight?
Under 5kg → Motorbike
5–25kg → Car
25–400kg → Small van
400–600kg → Medium van
600–800kg → Large van
800–1,000kg → X-Large van / Luton
1,000–5,000kg → 7.5 ton
Over 5,000kg → Call us
2. What's the longest dimension?
Under A3 / small parcel → Motorbike
Up to 1.0m → Car
Up to 1.4m → Small van
Up to 2.4m → Medium van
Up to 3.0m → Large van
Up to 4.2m → X-Large van
Up to 4.5m → Luton
Up to 7.2m → 7.5 ton
Over 7.2m → Call us
3. Do you need a tail-lift?
No forklift at site? → Luton tail-lift
Loading from a dock? → Any van or 7.5T
Pallet at ground level? → Luton tail-lift
Multi-pallet, dock loaded? → 7.5T curtain sider

Still unsure? Call 0330 223 4790 — we advise for free.

❓ Courier vehicle size guide — frequently asked questions

What happens if I choose the wrong vehicle?

If your load is too large for the vehicle booked, our driver will contact you at collection. In that case, we will arrange an upgrade to the correct vehicle as quickly as possible. To avoid this, however, always provide accurate dimensions and weight when booking — or call us in advance for advice.

Can I upgrade my vehicle after booking?

Yes — vehicle upgrades can be arranged after booking, subject to availability in your area. If you realise your load requires a larger vehicle, call 0330 223 4790 immediately and our team will organise the upgrade. Consequently, the sooner you call, the less impact there is on your collection time.

Do all vehicles include GPS tracking?

Yes. Every vehicle in our fleet — from motorbike to 7.5 ton curtain sider — includes live GPS tracking as standard on every booking. You receive a tracking link the moment your driver departs, and proof of delivery is sent when the job is complete.

Is all freight insured regardless of vehicle?

Yes. Goods in Transit insurance to £50,000 is included as standard on all vehicle types and all bookings. Furthermore, for high-value consignments requiring additional cover, this can be arranged at the time of booking by advising the declared value.

What's the difference between the Medium, Large and X-Large vans?

It comes down to length, height and payload. The Medium van (SWB) takes up to 600kg and loads up to 2.4m long; the Large van (LWB) takes up to 800kg and 3.0m long with extra height; and the X-Large van (XLWB) takes up to 1,000kg and 4.2m long with 1.8m of internal height for tall or long items. If your load is borderline, call 0330 223 4790 and we'll confirm the best fit.

Are the dimensions in this guide exact?

The dimensions shown are representative of typical vehicles in each category. Individual vehicles may vary slightly based on make and model. As a result, if your load is close to the maximum dimensions for a vehicle type, call 0330 223 4790 before booking and we will confirm the exact dimensions of the vehicle available for your collection.

Ready to book? Get an instant quote now

Select your vehicle type, enter your postcodes and get a fixed price in under 2 minutes. If you're still unsure which vehicle you need, call our team — we'll advise for free.

No account needed · Fixed price · Insured to £50,000 · GPS tracked · Proof of delivery · 24/7