---
title: "Self Drive Vehicle Hire contract"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-c4cc53d4-4f1a-4a96-96b2-a4408bbd2156"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-c4cc53d4-4f1a-4a96-96b2-a4408bbd2156"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c4cc53d4-4f1a-4a96-96b2-a4408bbd2156.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c4cc53d4-4f1a-4a96-96b2-a4408bbd2156.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DORSET COUNCIL"
published: "2025-07-16"
---

# Self Drive Vehicle Hire contract

Buyer: DORSET COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-c4cc53d4-4f1a-4a96-96b2-a4408bbd2156

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-c4cc53d4-4f1a-4a96-96b2-a4408bbd2156)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c4cc53d4-4f1a-4a96-96b2-a4408bbd2156.json)

## Summary

Dorset Council has completed the procurement process for a Self Drive Vehicle Hire contract, which was initiated on 17 February 2025. The procurement involved an open procedure for the provision of various motor vehicles, including passenger cars and commercial vehicles, to be used across England. The total estimated contract value is £3,000,000 and covers a contractual period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2031. The contract was awarded to U-Drive, an SME specialising in vehicle hire solutions, on 26 June 2025, with final publication of the award notice on 16 July 2025. This procurement falls under the "Motor vehicles" category with CPV code 34100000.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses involved in vehicle hire or fleet management services, particularly those capable of providing a diverse range of vehicles on a self-drive basis. SMEs, like U-Drive, that offer flexibility and can adapt to changes in vehicle types and quantities due to evolving council requirements are well-positioned to benefit. The open procurement method indicates a competitive bidding environment, where such businesses can showcase their capacity to meet public sector needs, potentially leading to growth and increased market presence. Businesses in the United Kingdom interested in public sector contracts stand to gain significant exposure and long-term stability through participation in similar tenders.

## Notice

Tenders are being sought to provide self drive vehicle hire solutions to Dorset Council. The types of vehicles required includes: economy, compact, intermediate and full sized passenger cars; automatic transmission passenger car; compact and standard multipurpose vehicles; minibus with 17 seats; single and double cab utility (Pick-Up) vehicles; economy (Small) vans; medium and long wheel base panel vans; box vans (Luton Type); single and crew cab flatbed and tipper body light commercial vehicles (3500kgs); flatbed and tipper body and box lorry heavy commercial vehicles (7500kgs). The full list of vehicle types is detailed within the Specification and pricing schedule although this list may evolve during the term of the contract as the Councils needs change and/or as a result of innovations within the vehicle market. The contract will be for an initial period of 4 years, with options to extend for a further 2 years. The estimated contract value is based upon the Councils estimated vehicle hire needs over the full contract term however this may change due to changing needs and circumstances during the contract term: This may include expansion of the scope, budget, or duration if additional services are needed or may include reduction of the scope, budget, or duration if circumstances change, such as reduced funding, lower-than-expected demand, or strategic shifts.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/35a13b27-59df-48d1-aa56-2c0f0fda3f29 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Jul 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 24 Mar 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 25 Jun 2025 |
| Contract period | 30 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £3,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £3,000,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DORSET COUNCIL |
| Locality | DORCHESTER |
| Post town | Dorchester |
| Postcode | DT1 1XJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK64 Dorset |
| Local authority | Dorset |
| Electoral ward | Dorchester West |
| Westminster constituency | West Dorset |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | U-DRIVE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

### Codes

- 34100000 - Motor vehicles

## Release History

- 16 Jul 2025 at 08:24 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/35a13b27-59df-48d1-aa56-2c0f0fda3f29
- 17 Feb 2025 at 15:25 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a5facf0c-b971-49ac-ae0d-220fabf6eeee

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/35a13b27-59df-48d1-aa56-2c0f0fda3f29
  16th July 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a5facf0c-b971-49ac-ae0d-220fabf6eeee
  17th February 2025 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=b0eee207-e0ea-ef11-8134-005056b64545&p=696a9836-1895-e511-8105-000c29c9ba21
  Link to tender opportunity

## Notice URLs

- https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-c4cc53d4-4f1a-4a96-96b2-a4408bbd2156. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-c4cc53d4-4f1a-4a96-96b2-a4408bbd2156.json.