How to become a van courier driver

Written by Benedict Harrison

Published on

Our guide to the steps you'll need to take to start work as a van courier.

As courier delivery companies increase the number of drivers on their books in the face of increased customer demand, many people are considering taking up work as a van courier.

But before you drop off your first parcel, there are a few things you’ll need to think about. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the key steps you’ll want to consider on your road to becoming a van courier. We’ll also explore the different options Zego offers for courier van drivers and show you how you can get started with your quote for courier van insurance.

Get a vehicle

It goes without saying that one of the most important aspects of becoming a van courier is to get access to a van to use for your work.

Vans can store and transport large numbers of parcels in one go, which makes them ideal for courier work. You will need goods in transit insurance to make sure your products are covered.

There are lots of different options available to you when sorting out a vehicle to use for your work, so it’s worth taking the time to look around. For more information on how to choose a van that’s right for you, you can read our guide here.

Estimate your costs

Before you start work as a courier van driver, it’s important to think about all the costs that will be associated with your new line of work. This includes things like buying and maintaining your van, your fuel costs, your potential earnings and how much you could be spending on insurance.

Taking the time to work all of this out can be a time consuming process. But it doesn’t have to be.

Plan your work

There are a number of different options available to you when it comes to working as a van courier. Many drivers prefer to work with existing logistics companies, but you can also set yourself up as a sole trader, or even as a limited company.

Whichever option works best for you, it’s a good idea to consider different approaches, so you can find a job that suits you.

Sort out your insurance

As a van courier, you will need to have specific insurance cover in place. As well as a policy that includes Hire & Reward (H&R) cover for your delivery work, you may also need Public Liability insurance for any non-motor related incidents and Social, Domestic & Pleasure (SD&P) insurance for your personal use of your van.

At Zego, we offer combined courier van insurance, which covers you for personal driving and courier work. You can choose the level of cover you need to make sure you're protected on the road.

You can even choose from our great range of optional extras, which includes Goods in Transit insurance and No Claims Discount Protection.

For more information, visit our courier van insurance page.