Local van delivery service

Independent shops, local food and drink producers, online sellers, wholesalers and small manufacturers who do not have their own drivers.

Per drop, per route or per day rate, with regular weekly contracts giving steady income and one-off jobs filling gaps.

• Reliable and punctual
• Route planning
• Safe, confident driving
• Friendly customer service

• Hire and reward van insurance, and goods in transit cover, as standard van policies may not cover deliveries
• Check whether you need an operator licence, which depends on vehicle weight and type of work
• Driver hours rules and tachograph requirements can apply to some vehicles, so check the current rules
• Vehicle costs such as fuel, servicing and breakdowns can eat into earnings
• Check the rules for congestion or clean air zone charges in the cities you serve

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £1,500 to £12,000, depending mainly on the van you use and the insurance cover you need. Get quotes for hire and reward insurance and goods in transit cover before you decide on a budget.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,500 to £5,500, depending on how many regular routes and customers you win and the hours you work. Fuel, servicing and breakdowns come out of that, so check your costs carefully.

Check that you have hire and reward van insurance and goods in transit cover, as standard policies may not cover deliveries. Also check whether you need an operator licence, which depends on vehicle weight and type of work, plus driver hours rules.