Could You Already Be An Owner Driver?

Drive a lot for work? You may already qualify as a courier and not even know it! It used to be that only private delivery companies could get hired for jobs delivering parcels and packages all around the country. But not anymore. These days, private owner drivers are realising that they can put their time on the road to good use. If you’re already driving, why not get paid for it?

Earn Extra Money through the Work You Already Do

One of the most convenient things about being an owner driver is that it takes advantage of the work you’re already doing. Driving to Leeds for a job in the morning? Or up to Newcastle to see family on the weekend? Why not take a parcel or two with you and get paid for that time on the road?

Put Your Driving Time to Good Use

These days, more and more companies are looking to outsource their delivery jobs to private individuals who travel a lot for work, family or other reasons. There’s a reason for it. Companies know that people on the road anyways are likely to be safe and efficient drivers who can reliably transport parcels along the way.

It’s usually nothing more than a slight inconvenience for an owner driver to pick up and drop off a parcel during their journey. The jobs are simple and if you pick carefully they won’t take you far off your planned route.

No Extra Effort

Most likely, parcels will easily fit into the family vehicle or work van that you’re already driving around. Increasingly, private vehicle owners are realising this and offering their services to the market to haul different kinds of cargo.

To turn your private automobile into a delivery vehicle, just check out the weight and the dimensions of whatever load you’ll be transporting and ensure it can be carried safely. Also, check with the supplier’s insurer, since you’ll want to be clear about who is responsible for insuring the parcels while in transit.

Pay for Your Petrol

With the price of fuel these days, the prospect of being an occasional owner driver is more attractive than ever. Opportunist owner drivers often find that their trip of a few hundred miles earns them enough to cover the petrol they use, which means more money in their pocket.

Of course, this extra income must be declared to HMRC, just like normal. But the cost of fuel and other vehicle upkeep expenses can be offset against that income. 

Many people meet the requirements of being a private courier without even knowing it. If you have a vehicle and are often travelling around the country anyway, consider becoming an owner driver as a way to earn a little extra money for the work you're doing already.

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day owner driver jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,400 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.