Frequently asked questions
Do you hire vintage vehicles outside your local area?
Answer: Yes - however the range of these historic vehicles is limited, so see below for the areas we can cover.
Routemaster “Bubbles”: About 35 miles radius from Oldcotes (Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Nottingham, Newark, Horncastle).
Dennis bus “Blodwen: About 35 miles radius from Caenby Corner (Hull, south of the Humber and East of the Trent and down to Sleaford)
"Ethel" the Austin York car: Around 15 miles radius from Retford (Doncaster, Gainsborough, Ollerton, Edwinstowe, Worksop and Maltby).
Please remember our buses and cars are old - they don’t go fast and you will have to give them that little bit of extra time to complete their task. If you have a particular trip in mind please talk to us and we’d be happy to advise.
Where is Vintage Vehicle Hire based?
Answer: Our company is based in Mattersey, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Do you check out the vehicle route before the day?
Answer: Yes. We make sure everything on the day runs smoothly so always familiarise ourselves with the route to ensure we do not encounter any problems. It is essential that we check for access and obstacles such as low bridges, overhanging tree branches and very narrow lanes (especially for the buses!). We also check the timing of routes to help with your planning of the whole day.
Are your vintage buses and cars available all year round?
Answer: Yes. Our buses are more popular in the summer, but are available all year round for the adventurous. If you want to hire a particular bus please try to book early.
Do you have any open top buses?
Answer: No, sorry.
Are any of your vintage buses those without doors?
Answer: Yes. These buses are called “open platform”.
Do you have a London Routemaster bus?
Answer: Yes, we do. It is a 72-seater 1965 Routemaster.
How many passengers can we take?
Answer: We have a seating capacity in the buses ranging from 35 to 72. This enables us to cater for all sizes of parties and events using one or more of our vintage buses. It is a legal requirement that every passenger has a seat, if you have more passengers than seats we can offer you a second vintage bus or a second trip, see below.
Can you provide more than one heritage bus?
Answer: Yes. We are happy to work with you to plan your itinerary making recommendations for different buses doing different routes based on the number of guests you have and where the guests need to be and when.
Is there a discount for the hire of more than one vintage bus or car?
Answer: Vintage bus hire from Vintage Vehicle Hire is great value. Once we have agreed your itinerary, the number of buses or cars you need, the distance they will cover and how long the day will be, we will provide you with a fully inclusive quote representing fantastic value for money. Finally yes there is a discount for the hire of more than one bus.
Do you hire out vintage buses/cars at night?
Answer: Under the terms of our insurance, we cannot operate with passengers after 2100. We regret we do not operate stag or hen nights.)
Can we come and view your vintage vehicles before we book?
Answer: Yes. Please call in advance and we’ll advice you when the vintage bus or car you are interested in is in the depot and ensure someone is available to show you the fleet.
Do you have a brochure?
Answer: Our website contains all the latest information about or vintage vehicle hire fleet, but we do have a small brochure available, please contact us if you would like a copy.
Can we decorate the vintage bus/car?
Answer: We decorate the vintage buses ourselves inside and out with bows. If you would like more than this, please contact us to agree your requirements.
Is there any extra charge for the decorations?
Answer: There are no extra charges for the basic decoration of our vintage buses. If you have any particular and special requirements please contact us as early as possible in order that we can ensure we make all the necessary extra arrangements (at a charge).
Can you display a personal message on the front of the vintage bus?
Answer: These are called “destination blinds” and we can create bespoke destination blinds especially for you. Please contact us to discuss these special arrangements - more information here. Please note that we do not accept any message relating to politics, religion or sexuality.
Are these old buses and cars safe?
Answer: Yes. It is a minimum legal requirement that we have a valid Operator’s Licence. Each vintage bus goes through a vigorous public service vehicle test each year and is regularly checked by our skilled mechanics for maintenance and safety
Are your bus drivers and car drivers qualified?
Answer: Yes. All our drivers possess an all groups PCV licence. They are handpicked for their people skills and driving ability.
Do you provide bus conductors?
Answer: Yes. On our “open platform” buses it is essential that we have a conductor to ensure the safe boarding and alighting of passengers from the open rear entrance.
Does the driver and conductor wear a uniform for the hire?
Answer: Our drivers and conductors dress smartly and professionally and act appropriately and courteously at all times.
Can we play music on the vintage bus?
Answer: Yes. You can set up your own equipment and make your own selection of music. Please note that the players need to be battery powered: there are no mains outlets on these old vehicles.
How much will the bus or car hire cost?
Answer: We quote for all work based on the number of vintage vehicles required, the itinerary for the event and the distance travelled. Our quotes are fully inclusive, based on the itinerary agreed. There are NO hidden charges for hiring a vintage bus or car on a bank holiday or for wedding hire.
Do you supply a written quote?
Answer: Yes. Once we have agreed all the details of your vintage vehicle hire, we will send you a no obligation written quotation. Your booking will be confirmed in writing once we receive your non-returnable £75 deposit.
Are you flexible on date changes?
Answer: Whilst the deposit is non-refundable we are sympathetic to changes in plans and will accommodate changes subject to the availability of our vintage vehicles.
Can we pay by credit card?
Answer: Regrettably, not at present.
When will I have to pay the balance?
Answer: The balance is due two weeks before the day of hire.
What colour classic buses do you have to offer?
Answer: The current fleet includes a traditional red London bus and a stunning maroon and cream bus. See the “Our Vehicles” page for full details.
Can we drink alcohol on the vintage bus?
Answer: We are happy for sensible amounts of alcohol to be made available on the vehicles. However, the drinking vessels must be plastic, not glass. Any additional cleaning due to spillage must be paid for by the hirer, and a deposit of £50 is required: if no additional cleaning is required, this will be returned by cheque on the day following the hire.
Do you hire vintage vehicles outside your local area?
Answer: Yes - however the range of these historic vehicles is limited, so see below for the areas we can cover.
Routemaster “Bubbles”: About 35 miles radius from Oldcotes (Wakefield, Barnsley, Sheffield, Chesterfield, Nottingham, Newark, Horncastle).
Dennis bus “Blodwen: About 35 miles radius from Caenby Corner (Hull, south of the Humber and East of the Trent and down to Sleaford)
"Ethel" the Austin York car: Around 15 miles radius from Retford (Doncaster, Gainsborough, Ollerton, Edwinstowe, Worksop and Maltby).
Please remember our buses and cars are old - they don’t go fast and you will have to give them that little bit of extra time to complete their task. If you have a particular trip in mind please talk to us and we’d be happy to advise.
Where is Vintage Vehicle Hire based?
Answer: Our company is based in Mattersey, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Do you check out the vehicle route before the day?
Answer: Yes. We make sure everything on the day runs smoothly so always familiarise ourselves with the route to ensure we do not encounter any problems. It is essential that we check for access and obstacles such as low bridges, overhanging tree branches and very narrow lanes (especially for the buses!). We also check the timing of routes to help with your planning of the whole day.
Are your vintage buses and cars available all year round?
Answer: Yes. Our buses are more popular in the summer, but are available all year round for the adventurous. If you want to hire a particular bus please try to book early.
Do you have any open top buses?
Answer: No, sorry.
Are any of your vintage buses those without doors?
Answer: Yes. These buses are called “open platform”.
Do you have a London Routemaster bus?
Answer: Yes, we do. It is a 72-seater 1965 Routemaster.
How many passengers can we take?
Answer: We have a seating capacity in the buses ranging from 35 to 72. This enables us to cater for all sizes of parties and events using one or more of our vintage buses. It is a legal requirement that every passenger has a seat, if you have more passengers than seats we can offer you a second vintage bus or a second trip, see below.
Can you provide more than one heritage bus?
Answer: Yes. We are happy to work with you to plan your itinerary making recommendations for different buses doing different routes based on the number of guests you have and where the guests need to be and when.
Is there a discount for the hire of more than one vintage bus or car?
Answer: Vintage bus hire from Vintage Vehicle Hire is great value. Once we have agreed your itinerary, the number of buses or cars you need, the distance they will cover and how long the day will be, we will provide you with a fully inclusive quote representing fantastic value for money. Finally yes there is a discount for the hire of more than one bus.
Do you hire out vintage buses/cars at night?
Answer: Under the terms of our insurance, we cannot operate with passengers after 2100. We regret we do not operate stag or hen nights.)
Can we come and view your vintage vehicles before we book?
Answer: Yes. Please call in advance and we’ll advice you when the vintage bus or car you are interested in is in the depot and ensure someone is available to show you the fleet.
Do you have a brochure?
Answer: Our website contains all the latest information about or vintage vehicle hire fleet, but we do have a small brochure available, please contact us if you would like a copy.
Can we decorate the vintage bus/car?
Answer: We decorate the vintage buses ourselves inside and out with bows. If you would like more than this, please contact us to agree your requirements.
Is there any extra charge for the decorations?
Answer: There are no extra charges for the basic decoration of our vintage buses. If you have any particular and special requirements please contact us as early as possible in order that we can ensure we make all the necessary extra arrangements (at a charge).
Can you display a personal message on the front of the vintage bus?
Answer: These are called “destination blinds” and we can create bespoke destination blinds especially for you. Please contact us to discuss these special arrangements - more information here. Please note that we do not accept any message relating to politics, religion or sexuality.
Are these old buses and cars safe?
Answer: Yes. It is a minimum legal requirement that we have a valid Operator’s Licence. Each vintage bus goes through a vigorous public service vehicle test each year and is regularly checked by our skilled mechanics for maintenance and safety
Are your bus drivers and car drivers qualified?
Answer: Yes. All our drivers possess an all groups PCV licence. They are handpicked for their people skills and driving ability.
Do you provide bus conductors?
Answer: Yes. On our “open platform” buses it is essential that we have a conductor to ensure the safe boarding and alighting of passengers from the open rear entrance.
Does the driver and conductor wear a uniform for the hire?
Answer: Our drivers and conductors dress smartly and professionally and act appropriately and courteously at all times.
Can we play music on the vintage bus?
Answer: Yes. You can set up your own equipment and make your own selection of music. Please note that the players need to be battery powered: there are no mains outlets on these old vehicles.
How much will the bus or car hire cost?
Answer: We quote for all work based on the number of vintage vehicles required, the itinerary for the event and the distance travelled. Our quotes are fully inclusive, based on the itinerary agreed. There are NO hidden charges for hiring a vintage bus or car on a bank holiday or for wedding hire.
Do you supply a written quote?
Answer: Yes. Once we have agreed all the details of your vintage vehicle hire, we will send you a no obligation written quotation. Your booking will be confirmed in writing once we receive your non-returnable £75 deposit.
Are you flexible on date changes?
Answer: Whilst the deposit is non-refundable we are sympathetic to changes in plans and will accommodate changes subject to the availability of our vintage vehicles.
Can we pay by credit card?
Answer: Regrettably, not at present.
When will I have to pay the balance?
Answer: The balance is due two weeks before the day of hire.
What colour classic buses do you have to offer?
Answer: The current fleet includes a traditional red London bus and a stunning maroon and cream bus. See the “Our Vehicles” page for full details.
Can we drink alcohol on the vintage bus?
Answer: We are happy for sensible amounts of alcohol to be made available on the vehicles. However, the drinking vessels must be plastic, not glass. Any additional cleaning due to spillage must be paid for by the hirer, and a deposit of £50 is required: if no additional cleaning is required, this will be returned by cheque on the day following the hire.