You move cars from A to B by driving them — not trailering them. Collections come from auctions, dealerships, leasing companies and private sellers; deliveries go to dealers, prep centres, fleet customers and private buyers. Every job is a different car, a different site, a different route.
A driver legally permitted to move untaxed or unregistered vehicles on public roads using trade plates — red-and-white plates that stand in for the vehicle's own registration while it's being moved for trade purposes.
A trade plate driver drives the vehicle itself, one car at a time. A vehicle transporter hauls several cars on a truck and trailer. Different licences, different equipment, different pay. This training is for the driving side of the trade.
Mostly the motor trade: franchised and independent dealers, auction houses, fleet and leasing companies — plus private sellers. Deliveries go to dealers, prep centres, business customers and private buyers.
Book the job → travel to the collection site → inspect and photograph the vehicle → complete the site's paperwork → drive to the delivery point → hand over, get sign-off, upload your photos and expenses. Then on to the next one, or home.
A local move can take 2–3 hours all-in; a 100-mile job including checks and handover typically runs 3–4 hours. Long-distance and multi-day runs exist, and there are no distance restrictions for new drivers — the job is whatever you choose to accept.
No — and it wouldn't help much anyway, since you can't drive two cars at once. Most trade plate drivers use public transport to get to collections and home from deliveries — though note this travel isn't typically claimable, as it's treated as commuting to work. Some jobs are carry-overs (see below), which can help with travel planning.
No. It's one of the few driving roles where demand for reliable people outstrips supply. What matters is a valid licence, careful paperwork, and a professional attitude at sites. That's exactly what training is for.
Yes — it's one of the most flexible driving jobs going. You choose which jobs to accept, so many drivers fit it around other work or family. Short runs and shorter jobs suit part-timers particularly well.
A carry-over is a job where you collect a vehicle late in the day and deliver it the following morning — often used for long-distance moves or tight delivery windows. It can make travel planning easier, since you're not racing the clock to finish same-day.
Realistically £100–£200 for a day's work as a self-employed trade plate driver — and because you choose how much you work, your weekly income follows your availability. Owner-operators (your own insurance policy and direct customer relationships) can earn well beyond that, and many build teams around them, so there's no real ceiling. Rates rise in busy periods — sometimes by 25% or more. Watch out: some platforms expect you to cover your own expenses (fuel excepted), which eats into headline pay. See "Do drivers pay their own expenses?" below.
Per job. You see the price and the mileage before you accept, so you always know what you're committing to. Pricing generally improves with mileage — but only to a point: per-mile rates tend to taper on longer runs, because the longer the job, the more competition there is for it.
Typically 2–4 times per month, depending on the platform or client. Most work on a cycle: you complete and submit jobs, and payment follows their schedule. Always confirm payment terms before starting with a new platform.
Three practical factors: location, price, and realistic time to complete — including how you'll get home afterwards. The fourth is underrated: the client. Some regulars are organised and easy to work with, and that genuinely affects whether a job is worth it. A decent job with a good client beats a great price with a nightmare.
Fuel and EV charging — always. Beyond that it depends on the client: road tolls are often covered, pre-delivery cleaning is usually reimbursed, and waiting time can be claimed under specific conditions (see "What is wait time?"). Check each job's terms before accepting, because some platforms expect you to absorb certain costs.
Wait time is paid waiting when a delay genuinely isn't your fault — unexpected vehicle issues, admin errors, or time spent charging an EV mid-job. Clients will pay you to wait, subject to conditions set per job. Traffic and public transport delays don't count — there are multiple reasons a journey can take longer, and you're expected to factor these in yourself. In severe cases, though, clients will often help if delays make you miss a deadline.
Sometimes, yes — and it's the detail that catches new drivers out. Most platforms cover fuel or charging, but some expect you to absorb other costs: tolls, parking, your own travel to the collection site. Those deductions can quietly turn a £150 job into £120 of real pay. In practice, expenses are typically covered by the driver first and claimed back later — usually reimbursed when you get paid. So it's worth having some money saved or a credit card available when you start out, as costs can land before your first pay cycle does. Always check the expense terms before you accept.
A valid full UK driving licence (Category B) is the baseline — that covers the cars and light vans you'll move. Age can matter too: some platforms set a minimum age for insurance reasons, and upper age limits can apply. Check the terms of any platform before signing up.
Usually only at the extremes. Minor points (such as a speeding offence) often won't exclude you, but serious convictions — drink driving, dangerous driving — or a high total will. Always declare points honestly: undeclared points can void insurance and end your work overnight.
Yes. Moving vehicles for trade purposes means driving untaxed, sometimes unregistered cars — and that's only legal on trade plates. The plates belong to the motor trade business moving the vehicle, not to you personally as a driver.
Trade plates are red-and-white plates registered to a motor trade business. A vehicle displaying them counts as taxed for that journey. Strict rules apply: they're for trade movements only. Plates need to be fixed to the front and back of the vehicle, and should not cover the existing UK registration plates if the vehicle has them.
Anything within your licence category — cars, vans and most commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes on a standard Category B licence. Trade plates never override licence categories: driving a 7.5-tonne truck still requires C1 entitlement.
Generally, no. While you're driving for a platform or client, you're covered under their motor trade policy. The exception is owner-operators running their own operation — they need their own trade plate insurance policy.
Yes — vehicles in the trade are covered under the mover's motor trade policy while in transit, provided you're covered as a driver. Always confirm you're on the policy before driving any vehicle.
Collection sites are where you pick the vehicle up: dealerships, auction houses, leasing compounds. Drop-off sites are the destinations — dealers, prep centres, business premises, or an end customer's home.
A facility where vehicles are prepared before sale or delivery — valeting, inspection, repairs and accessory fitting. You'll typically deliver to prep centres rather than collect from them.
Delivering a vehicle to its end customer — often the most important delivery type you'll do. The customer inspects the car, signs the paperwork, and expects a smooth, professional experience. These usually take place at the customer's home — dealership staff handle customer handovers on their own premises. Punctuality and presentation matter most here.
The V5C — the vehicle's registration certificate, commonly called the logbook. It records the registered keeper, and you'll see it during collection and delivery checks. Important: if you've collected a car from a private seller, you need to ensure the V5 is passed on to the buyer at delivery.
A code authorising a vehicle's release from a site. Auction houses and leasing companies often require one before handing over keys — it confirms your collection is booked and legitimate.
Typically your driving licence, a booking confirmation or job reference, and sometimes a release code. The site adds its own paperwork — usually a collection note or vehicle appraisal — which you check, sign, and keep a copy of before driving away.
Always — and thoroughly. Walk around taking clear, timestamped photos of every panel, the wheels, glass, interior, and the fuel or charge display. These protect you if damage is disputed later. No photos means no proof.
Stop — don't drive away. Photograph the damage, report it to the client or platform immediately, and get instructions in writing or in the app. Driving off without reporting it can leave you liable for damage you didn't cause.
Check the job spec — clients typically specify a delivery level (commonly a quarter of a tank). If a car arrives with zero fuel, you add enough to reach the nearest station, drive gently, and keep receipts. For EVs, confirm the expected charge at handover and photograph the display at collection.
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