Driven Transport - Professional Drivers
What is a professional driver?
Like a doctor practices medicine or a tradesman practices their trade, a professional driver drives vehicles for a living. There are a number of different names for a professional driver in the motor trade or automotive industry, such as ‘trade plater’ or 'vehicle delivery agent'. Tradeplaters are often retired people or part-time workers that deliver cars as a fill-in job.
Why use a professional driver?
Delivering a vehicle using a professional driver can be more cost effective than having a vehicle transported on a truck. As long as the vehicle has a current MOT and is road-legal, then a professional driver can deliver the vehicle as if the vehicle was being driven by you. An added benefit is that a driven delivery can often be arranged quicker and can be more flexible.
How does it work?
Once your job is booked, we dispatch a professional driver to the collection postcode. The driver will fully inspect the vehicle and document the condition of the vehicle. Once signed off by the keyholder, the vehicle is driven to postcode B where delivery inspection is completed and the vehicle signed over to the delivery key holder.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of a driven service?
A driven service is more flexible and always cheaper than having your vehicle delivered on a truck. It is also a quicker way to get your vehicle moved if you have an urgent requirement. The one disadvantage is that you are adding miles to the vehicle.
What are trade plates?
Professional drivers carry a set of trade plates. Think of trade plates as a transferable license plate with road tax. Trade plates are provided by the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) and are designed to allow professional drivers to drive vehicles that are not registered or insured by the owner of the vehicle.
What about Insurance?
When your vehicle is in the hands of a professional driver, the vehicle is insured by the driver’s insurance cover. The insurance is linked to their set of trade plates which allows the driver any vehicle within their care (up to the value of their insurance cover) for all road risks. Many semi-retired people are hired as trade platers. Your car is fully insured against accident damage whilst in the car of the professional delivery driver. (*Stone chip damage to glassware such as windscreens headlights and bonnet etc. are not covered. These would be claimable under your vehicle insurance and would have happen if you were driving the car.)
How long does it take to arrange the delivery?
You should allow 2 business days to arrange the delivery. It is possible to do urgent deliveries but just like last minute flying, it can be more expensive.
How long does it take to delivery my vehicle?
This obviously depends on distance between collection and delivery postcodes, but also the time of day that your vehicle is collected - this can determine whether an overnight stop is required. Either way, we will advise you of estimated times at booking and your driver will keep you informed with collection and delivery ETAs.
What happens if the vehicle breaks down?
Your vehicle should be fit for the journey. Ie serviced, reliable, and capable of making the journey as if you were driving the vehicle yourself. If it breaks down, the driver will stay with vehicle until recovered or fixed and you would be kept informed. Please note there may be a need to cover the driver's additional time at £20 per hour.
Who pays for fuel?
We highly recommend that you fuel the vehicle for the journey, which keeps the process simple. If the driver does have to add fuel, then you will need to reimburse the driver for each fuel receipt at the delivery point.
Can I have a timed delivery?
Yes, but this may increase the cost. Again like airlines, scheduled flights are cheaper than charter flights.
You can call us on 01844 867 220 or use our contact form if you would like more information about having your vehicles delivered by professional drivers.
