Potential of van driver / average earning

bugslet

Difference between driving a MWB versus a SWB is notional really. Combo is too small and from what I remember,s o is the Bipper. If you are sticking to the smaller vans then Connect with Vivaro as a second.

Mercs and Fords will have the better residual.

I'd go for that bit of extra length tbh.

If you are cautious about the actual driving of one, go and hire one for a day and get the feel. I promise within a couple of hours, you'll feel more at home than you ever thought you would. Despite the image of white van man, we have the lowest accident rate (24 per million kms travelled ( trucks 39, cars 66) and the theory is that you have the speed of a car, but being higher up means you can respond faster to events in front of you.

I prefer driving a van to a car.

SailorSam

If you're already a self employed currency trader isn't that a bit like these bankers who earn mega bucks ?

With a modern van i don't think you need to worry too much about them not being as comfortable as a car, they're not like the old vans from years ago. I tried to start once as a self employed van driver and got myself a Transit. The only problem i found was when i was trying to pull out of a side road, or turning right at a T junction, you really need a window like you'd have in the rear of your car. You have to get your van at an angle or you find yourself lraning forward tith your head touching the windscreen so you can see what's coming from the left.

LeafGreen

Remember to make sure the appropriate use is included when getting insurance quotes, as being a delivery driver could increase premiums a fair bit.

bugslet

It does graham, it does!!!!

@sailorsam - bet we've all done it, that 'oh flip, I can't see a thing', when you get to a T junction with an acute angle to it:eek:

alwaysfree143

bugslet wrote: »

Difference between driving a MWB versus a SWB is notional really. Combo is too small and from what I remember,s o is the Bipper. If you are sticking to the smaller vans then Connect with Vivaro as a second.

Mercs and Fords will have the better residual.

I'd go for that bit of extra length tbh.

If you are cautious about the actual driving of one, go and hire one for a day and get the feel. I promise within a couple of hours, you'll feel more at home than you ever thought you would. Despite the image of white van man, we have the lowest accident rate (24 per million kms travelled ( trucks 39, cars 66) and the theory is that you have the speed of a car, but being higher up means you can respond faster to events in front of you.

I prefer driving a van to a car.

Now the plan is slightly change as I want to make sure I am earning as much as possible.

I will be hiring a van for one day on friday (hopefully) and see how it works. I am hoping to hire Ford Transit Medium Wheel base or Long wheel base depending upon the availability and the price. I am sure short wheel base is going to be the cherry on the cake so hiring a bigger van will help me judge better.

If I am indeed very comfortable in either of them I will most likely be buying the Ford Transit van or similar and stick with the decision. All depends on how it feels like behind the wheel when testing on friday.

alwaysfree143

grahamgoo wrote: »

Remember to make sure the appropriate use is included when getting insurance quotes, as being a delivery driver could increase premiums a fair bit.

I took quotation for Haulage insurance and it gave me about £1700 for my postcode.

I think haulage is going to cover me for the goods / delivery items in the van?

bugslet

GIT - no not you:p, goods in transit insurance, in case you destroy the entire contents:eek:, public liability? need to check what that £1700.00 includes.

Let us know how you get on, on Friday.

alwaysfree143

bugslet wrote: »

GIT - no not you:p, goods in transit insurance, in case you destroy the entire contents:eek:, public liability? need to check what that £1700.00 includes.

Let us know how you get on, on Friday.

When I check the Haulage option

It says

Haulage - You use your vehicle to carry other people's goods and get paid for carrying them. This would include couriers, haulage contractors, parcel delivery or wholesale newspaper delivery.

So I reckon that is covered already? I have only found three type of insurance policies unless I have to go for separate Goods in Transit insurance on top of Haulage

Own Goods - You use your vehicle for work and carry your own goods, tools or equipment. This would include builders, carpenters, electricians and shop keepers who may use the van to pick up stock.

Haulage - You use your vehicle to carry other people's goods and get paid for carrying them. This would include couriers, haulage contractors, parcel delivery or wholesale newspaper delivery.

Social Only - You do not use your vehicle to travel to work or for any work purposes.

Yeah all depends on how it goes on friday. For some reason I initially wanted to begin from small van but now I am inclined towards at least a medium wheel base van or the long wheel base.

Best of luck to me!

I will confirm about my decision once I get a hold of the hired vehicle.

missbiggles1

alwaysfree143 wrote: »

Hello friends,

I am thiking to start a new career as a van driver. So I have quite a few questions in mind and hopefully somebody will answer it. Before I begin let me please introduce myself. I am 26 years old and lives in London.

1) I do not have any prior experience of driving a van but have a car licence since last year. How different is it driving a van as compared to the ordinary car?

2) Is there any minimum requirement to hold a licence for certain years before you can work as a van driver? For example in order to do taxi you need to have at least 3 years old licence in London?

3) I have contacted with couple of courier companies in my local area and some of them invited me for an interview (and I am yet to attend any). I am wondering what is the potential of van drivers in London/Essex or in UK in general.

I was thinking if I do spend about £4000 - £8000 pounds to purchase a van and an expensive insurance on top, how is it going to repay me back as a van driver/owner if I am not able to get enough work?

Could you advice about the normal working hours and the average income I hope to generate per month?

4) One of the courier company asked me to purchase the van before i call them back, what type of van do you recommend me? I am thinking to buy Ford Transit or Ford Transit Connect. I would prefer to have a smaller van right now as I only have the car driving experience but is it going to make significant difference if I opt for medium wheel base van?

5) The last question is that if my understanding is correct I am allowed to drive a van such as Ford Transit on an ordinary B Category licence?

Have you held your licence for at least 12 months?

alwaysfree143

missbiggles1 wrote: »

Have you held your licence for at least 12 months?

If we talk about UK licence then no I have not. Just 8 months so far...

But I have previously driven a car in non-European country for 5 years so as long as I am legally not barred to do this job, there is no problem.