Totally agree as I’m trade plate driver and love going to work. That said I’m semi retired and only do the hours and jobs I want, had I have to do this full time and keep a family going then maybe not so sure as you would need to put a lot of hours in a day to make a living. Great vid!
I've been trade plating for a year now and it's absolutely flown by.... I've done the 'per job' work and now I'm on hourly pay, which is loads better! Very enjoyable work, as I've got a main dealer close by so I'm usually in there 2-3 times a week. As you say, research the company you work for....
A friend of mine quit his trade plate job after he was asked to deliver an electric van 350 miles to Glasgow. The system put it down as a one day job. He slept in the van overnight at the charging station as the company refused to fund a hotel room. It's definitely down to the quality of the company.
I did this in the days before smart phones and satnavs. Did the research and planning the night before, and printed the maps and timetables I needed. As I was delivering direct to end-users I often got a lift to the station, as the customer was keen try out their new car.
I collected an end of lease van on one job, had to put bin liners on the drivers seat due to the filth & my hands would stick to the steering wheel. I was aware of the lingering smell all day until I got in the shower & changed clothes.
I went back to trade plate driving after 2 years. Different company which at the minute I can’t really grumble about (Pro Driver). I can run my part time business whilst on the trains etc between jobs.
Hi Chris, you have really well summed up the good and bad points of being a trade plate driver. I entirely share your assessment but if I were to choose the most important consideration it is working for a good company - I would suggest directly with a motor dealer rather than through an agency. Give and take and flexibility make the work far less stressful and more enjoyable. It also helps to have friendly reliable back up when things go wrong who can help you pick up the pieces and reorganise your plans. I am quite happy to work on a mileage basis because I don’t feel I need to chase the clock but what I would not do is work on a piece rate for meeting my own expenses. I too enjoy the challenge of researching routes and beating Google Maps at their own game. When you have been at this job a little while you find alternative routes and how you can mix and match by using combinations of train, bus, coach and shoe leather. It is often a little surprising how cheap travel can to and from some destinations whereas others can be very expensive, regardless of the time of day. One thing I always have to be careful of, and may seem silly, is when catching a bus in a rural or village location is knowing which side of the road to stand as it is not always obvious, especially if the bus does a meandering route.
Another great video Chris rides on 377,390 & a 196 this time agree totally with all your negative points as i worked for BCA cant really think of any positive points to trade plating 🤦♂️
Hi Chris. Thanks for telling us about the pro´s and con´s of trade plate driving...very interesting...not realy a good way to be being a millionair...but as you said if you have another income an interesting pastime.
9:25 look at that amazing red Postman Pat van Vauxhall Agila/Suzuki Wagon he was walking past while he was talking about bad cars. Surely that can’t have been on purpose. I bet that car is a dream-mobile
I would note some additions with some of the negatives. Vehicles may be in unsafe conditions like bad tires, brakes, suspension, bad running engines, shot transmissions and clutches. I presume you could reject a vehicle that is unsafe or of questionable reliability, would fail an MOT/safety inspection. Flat tires and breakdowns which happen, could add to time on duty and if on some roads could be dangerous. Weather can also lengthen times on the road. I hope you have arrangements with the employer to pay for fuel, oil, DEF and tolls, as well as any problems or breakdowns you don't have to lay out monies and hope you get reimbursed in a fair time. I guess you are not considered the same as a Commercial/Lorry/heavy truck driver so have no on-duty driving time limits. I am quite sure at times the need to urinate can be difficult to find a place to go, although one could stop by a farm wall and wee with the sheep looking at you 😀 I would think 2 positives. You are not cooped up in an office, you get something more scenic that a cubical wall. You are also alone, no hassles of co-workers or bosses checking you every minute.
Thank you, yes if I think a vehicle is unsafe to drive then I shouldn't be driving it anywhere, although with TMC we should have checked for all the obvious things before I even leave. All my travel expenses are reimbursed. And we do get to know where the best loo break spots are!
Good video. I've thought about tradeplating for a while. However, the companies that do it appear to be one step up from criminal lowlifes. You seem to have found the right people to work for though.
Certainly interesting so thanks for sharing the good & bad points. One question springs to mind is does your occupation affect your private insurance costs? I guess an insurance company would load the premiums even though you will be insured by TMC on your delivery & collections.
I remember picking up a car from Leeds and got on the motorway and the gearbox gave up. The garage I was doing it for sent a breakdown truck up from Bournemouth to take us home. I think I got home about 03.00 in the morning
Sounds bad - my last breakdown was in Wincanton, but I managed to leave it in a Travelodge car park (with permission) before arriving home by cab at 2.30am.
I'm about to sign up with Driiveme do you have any knowledge of them or hearsay from other drivers if they are good to work with or not? I'll be using it as an infill as I have other jobs aswell so just on spare days
Down side number 6 The nail biting and bum twitching when it’s middle of winter and your electric vehicle is showing turn off climate control to converse power to get to a charging station
Totally agree as I’m trade plate driver and love going to work. That said I’m semi retired and only do the hours and jobs I want, had I have to do this full time and keep a family going then maybe not so sure as you would need to put a lot of hours in a day to make a living. Great vid!
I've been trade plating for a year now and it's absolutely flown by.... I've done the 'per job' work and now I'm on hourly pay, which is loads better! Very enjoyable work, as I've got a main dealer close by so I'm usually in there 2-3 times a week. As you say, research the company you work for....
A friend of mine quit his trade plate job after he was asked to deliver an electric van 350 miles to Glasgow. The system put it down as a one day job. He slept in the van overnight at the charging station as the company refused to fund a hotel room. It's definitely down to the quality of the company.
I did this in the days before smart phones and satnavs. Did the research and planning the night before, and printed the maps and timetables I needed. As I was delivering direct to end-users I often got a lift to the station, as the customer was keen try out their new car.
You probably think I have it easy with modern tech!
I collected an end of lease van on one job, had to put bin liners on the drivers seat due to the filth & my hands would stick to the steering wheel. I was aware of the lingering smell all day until I got in the shower & changed clothes.
That's the kind of thing I'd dread getting!
I went back to trade plate driving after 2 years. Different company which at the minute I can’t really grumble about (Pro Driver). I can run my part time business whilst on the trains etc between jobs.
Hi Chris, you have really well summed up the good and bad points of being a trade plate driver. I entirely share your assessment but if I were to choose the most important consideration it is working for a good company - I would suggest directly with a motor dealer rather than through an agency. Give and take and flexibility make the work far less stressful and more enjoyable. It also helps to have friendly reliable back up when things go wrong who can help you pick up the pieces and reorganise your plans. I am quite happy to work on a mileage basis because I don’t feel I need to chase the clock but what I would not do is work on a piece rate for meeting my own expenses. I too enjoy the challenge of researching routes and beating Google Maps at their own game. When you have been at this job a little while you find alternative routes and how you can mix and match by using combinations of train, bus, coach and shoe leather. It is often a little surprising how cheap travel can to and from some destinations whereas others can be very expensive, regardless of the time of day. One thing I always have to be careful of, and may seem silly, is when catching a bus in a rural or village location is knowing which side of the road to stand as it is not always obvious, especially if the bus does a meandering route.
Another great video Chris rides on 377,390 & a 196 this time agree totally with all your negative points as i worked for BCA cant really think of any positive points to trade plating 🤦♂️
Hi Chris. Thanks for telling us about the pro´s and con´s of trade plate driving...very interesting...not realy a good way to be being a millionair...but as you said if you have another income an interesting pastime.
Thanks for watching, I wanted to give an honest summary of things!
9:25 look at that amazing red Postman Pat van Vauxhall Agila/Suzuki Wagon he was walking past while he was talking about bad cars. Surely that can’t have been on purpose. I bet that car is a dream-mobile
I would note some additions with some of the negatives.
Vehicles may be in unsafe conditions like bad tires, brakes, suspension, bad running engines, shot transmissions and clutches. I presume you could reject a vehicle that is unsafe or of questionable reliability, would fail an MOT/safety inspection. Flat tires and breakdowns which happen, could add to time on duty and if on some roads could be dangerous. Weather can also lengthen times on the road. I hope you have arrangements with the employer to pay for fuel, oil, DEF and tolls, as well as any problems or breakdowns you don't have to lay out monies and hope you get reimbursed in a fair time. I guess you are not considered the same as a Commercial/Lorry/heavy truck driver so have no on-duty driving time limits. I am quite sure at times the need to urinate can be difficult to find a place to go, although one could stop by a farm wall and wee with the sheep looking at you 😀
I would think 2 positives. You are not cooped up in an office, you get something more scenic that a cubical wall. You are also alone, no hassles of co-workers or bosses checking you every minute.
Thank you, yes if I think a vehicle is unsafe to drive then I shouldn't be driving it anywhere, although with TMC we should have checked for all the obvious things before I even leave. All my travel expenses are reimbursed. And we do get to know where the best loo break spots are!
Remember your Delay Repay when your trains are late. Well worth claiming your ticket fare back.
Good video. I've thought about tradeplating for a while. However, the companies that do it appear to be one step up from criminal lowlifes. You seem to have found the right people to work for though.
Certainly interesting so thanks for sharing the good & bad points.
One question springs to mind is does your occupation affect your private insurance costs?
I guess an insurance company would load the premiums even though you will be insured by TMC on your delivery & collections.
I've not really noticed much of a difference to be honest. That might be to do with my age, no claims and where I live.
I remember picking up a car from Leeds and got on the motorway and the gearbox gave up. The garage I was doing it for sent a breakdown truck up from Bournemouth to take us home. I think I got home about 03.00 in the morning
Sounds bad - my last breakdown was in Wincanton, but I managed to leave it in a Travelodge car park (with permission) before arriving home by cab at 2.30am.
I'm about to sign up with Driiveme do you have any knowledge of them or hearsay from other drivers if they are good to work with or not? I'll be using it as an infill as I have other jobs aswell so just on spare days
You work long days, do you get tired?
Horsham? I used to work near there. :)
Down side number 6
The nail biting and bum twitching when it’s middle of winter and your electric vehicle is showing turn off climate control to converse power to get to a charging station
Not so sure you should be showing the reg of all the vehicles you collect, some customers don't take too kindly to that
Trade plate driving isn't easy you won't get dar. Better off putting them on a automble