Driving-related jobs
If you are reliable and trustworthy, you could find work as
a car delivery driver
Driving
Instructor jobs
 Driving
instruction fits in well as a work-from-home job, but does require investment
as regards training and vehicle costs. To train as a qualified driving
instructor you'll need to have held a full UK driving licence for a
minimum of three and a half years, have less than six penalty points
and not have been disqualified from driving within the past four years.
You need to pass some stiff exams:
- a theory test
- a driving ability assessment
- a test of instructional ability
and also have a criminal record check as part of the process, to ensure
that you are a 'fit and proper person' to become an instructor.
The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) has full details on how
to become a driving instructor on its website. Once you've passed
the exams you can register as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and
work from home on a self-employed, employed or franchise basis.
Earnings for a full-time instructor can be up to £30K per annum,
and much less pro-rata, as even if you teach driving as a part-time
job, the fixed costs such as paying for the car and insurance remain
the same, so unless you can arrange a job-share or similar, it's really
a full-time occupation.
Limo Driving work
Limo driving is another driving job that fits well around a daytime
job, as the highest demand is at nights and weekends.
Clients range from business users through weddings to proms and hen
nights so limo drivers need to be presentable, friendly, calm, discreet
and reliable and have a full, clean driving licence.
Some companies may also require a PCV licence and criminal record check.
Contact your local limo company to enquire about vacancies.
Lorry Driving - LGV and PCV licences
for driving lorries and buses
If you have the correct HGV licences required you can look for lorry
driving jobs. If you want to drive a large goods vehicle (LGV) or a
bus or coach - a passenger carrying vehicle (PCV), you will need a full
driving licence, and be over 21, before you can apply for a provisional
licence to learn to drive these larger vehicles.
You will also need to complete a medical form, as part of your application
for a provisional licence, in order to drive a larger vehicle. In the
case of a PCV licence, you will also need to undergo a criminal record
check.
You have to take both theory and practical driving tests, and also
pass the Driver CPC theory and practical tests, if intending to drive
larger vehicles professionally.
More info from on Directgov on: driving
larger vehicles
The process of getting a LGV or PCV licence can be quite an investment,
requiring time, money and effort, but it will obviously open up your
choice of the best driving jobs in the UK. If you want to drive abroad
then you will need an International truck licence.
Mini Cab work and
Taxi Driving jobs
 The
rules for mini cab and taxi driving vary around the country from the
rigorous 'knowledge' of the London Black Cab driver to less demanding
local requirements for minicab drivers. As a rule, mini cabs or private
hire vehicles are pre-booked by the customer and are not allowed to
pick up passengers who flag them down. Hackney carriages or Taxi's can
pick up passengers on the street or from a taxi rank and need not be
pre-booked.
How do I become a Taxi or Minicab ( private hire) Driver?
Generally speaking, you'll need to have held a full licence for at
least three years, undergo a criminal record check and, in the case
of owner-driving, own a modern saloon car. You'll also need to be physically
fit and will usually undergo a medical examination. Drivers of minibuses
having 9-16 passenger seats will normally need to hold a PCV licence.
Highest demand for mini cabs or taxis is at night and weekends, which
means you'll need to be able to deal tactfully and safely with drunk
and sometimes aggressive customers. On the plus side a taxi or minicab
driving job fits well around a day job (even a full-time one) or childcare
comittments.
Contact private hire companies in your area or check out the rules
with your local authority.
Uber is recruiting
private hire drivers in London and in many towns and cities across
the UK
Rickshaw Service
If you're a keen cyclist, how about operating a rickshaw service? You'll
need to be very fit, but it can be an enjoyable way to work in the open
air and meet new people. There are a wide
range of vehicles available, some with electric
assist for those steep hills. You can also sell advertising on the vehicles
for extra income. Rickshaws do well in tourist areas, you could even
combine them with a guided tour if you have enough breath left!
 Car
Collection and Delivery Driving Jobs -work as a car delivery driver
Who are those guys you see standing at roundabouts and motorway junctions
with funny-looking car numberplates with red text? They are collecting
and delivering cars for garages, fleet users, car hire companies and
auctions.
Cars have to be moved around the country all the time, for example
between dealers or from dealers to users and if a single vehicle has
to be moved, the quickest and most economical way is to send a driver
to collect it rather than a transporter. The red plates are trade plates
and allow motor traders and related businesses to keep a vehicle temporarily
in their possession without having to register it etc.
Payment is usually per mile although some companies will pay an hourly
rate, particularly if you are doing other work such as valeting or preparing
vehicles etc. It goes without saying that you'll need a full driving
licence (preferably 'clean') and a good driving record.
You'll also need to be conscientious, reliable and well-presented
as you'll be dealing with all types of clients on behalf of your employer.
This kind of work is popular with the semi-retired and retired as they
are also able to get to and from drops and pick-ups cheaply by using
senior rail and bus passes! Older drivers who passed the UK driving
test before 1997 will also have 'grandfather
rights' on their driving
licence which entitles them to drive a much wider range of vehicles.
Car collection and delivery has become more of a full-time occupation
over the past few years but if you are looking for occasional work,
try asking at smaller garages, independent hire companies etc. If you
are easily contactable, reliable and able to help out at short notice,
you might get regular work. Some of the larger companies are listed
below and it's also worth looking on dealers and hire company's websites
for more employment opportunities.
Ace
Vehicle Deliveries
British
Car Auctions
Enterprise
Car Hire Jobs
Taxi Driving
See above under mini cab and taxi driving.
Business Tax Allowance
Remember to keep a careful record of any mileage incurred for business
purposes, as you may be able to claim this and part of the cost of your
car as a business expense. These expenses may be then deducted from
your earnings, and so reduce the amount of income tax you may have to
pay. Contact your Inland Revenue offices for further information on
allowable business expenses for your driving work.
Insurance
for using your vehicle for business
Don't forget that if you're using your vehicle for any kind of commercial
use, you'll need the appropriate insurance to cover business use.
Inform
your insurance company if you intend to do any courier, delivering
or collecting work, as it is not worth taking any risks that you could
be uninsured if you were involved in an accident.
Likewise ensure that
you have the appropriate driving licence for the vehicle you intend
to drive. 
It is also important to check you are fully insured for any loss of
goods if your car or van is broken into, if you intend to do any delivery
or collection work.
Contact your insurance company or talk to a reputable
insurance broker before you start any driving work.
Remember - it's illegal to use your vehicle for hire or reward
without the appropriate cover, and ordinary domestic policies do
not provide this.
More Jobs to do
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