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ContentsIntroduction.....................................................................................................................................................................5Who Will Benefit FromThis Guide.................................................................................................................................6What Is The Difference Between A Sameday and Overnight Courier...........................................................................6Sameday Courier – What Do I have To Do?...................................................................................................................8So Why Isn’t Everyone A Sameday Courier?.................................................................................................................9Have I Got “What It Takes” To Be a Sameday Courier?..............................................................................................10How To Find This “Specialist Work”............................................................................................................................11What Next? – How Do I Sell My Services?.................................................................................................................12Can I Test “The Water First”?.......................................................................................................................................15Best Type of Vehicle.....................................................................................................................................................15How Do I Actually Set My Own Business Up..............................................................................................................17Do I Need To Formally Register My Business?...........................................................................................................19Do I Need To Register My Business For VAT?............................................................................................................20How To Find A Good Accountant.................................................................................................................................20Book-keeping and Records...........................................................................................................................................21How Do I Sort My Tax Out?.........................................................................................................................................21Vision ...........................................................................................................................................................................23Mission..........................................................................................................................................................................23Objectives......................................................................................................................................................................23Values............................................................................................................................................................................23Strategies.......................................................................................................................................................................23Goals.............................................................................................................................................................................24Programs.......................................................................................................................................................................24Cashflow.......................................................................................................................................................................24How To Get Work.........................................................................................................................................................26When Will I Be Paid?....................................................................................................................................................28Tips On How To Pick The Best Work and Avoid The Common Pitfalls......................................................................28What To Do If Payment Is Overdue..............................................................................................................................29Business Costs...............................................................................................................................................................29Insurance.......................................................................................................................................................................30Vehicle...........................................................................................................................................................................31

Do You Buy Or Lease?.................................................................................................................................................32Maintenance..................................................................................................................................................................37Breakdown Recovery Service.......................................................................................................................................38Road Tax.......................................................................................................................................................................38Telephone Bill...............................................................................................................................................................38Fuel................................................................................................................................................................................39Fuel Cards ..................................................................................................................................................................40Can I Really Make Up To £350 A Day?........................................................................................................................42How To Use Sat Navs For Free.....................................................................................................................................45How To Avoid Penalty Points.......................................................................................................................................46Courier Companies.......................................................................................................................................................48SOLICITORS..............................................................................................................................................................144

Introduction

It is possible for most people who have a current driving licence to gain enormous financial and vocational rewards from this SpecialCourierDriving Master Manual.

Keep on reading and you will find an amazing amount of secrets, information, hints, tips and good old common sense to help you on your way to having a fulfilling and profitable career as a freelance sameday specialist courier.

The trouble is these days in the age of “going to uni’ to get a degree is whatyou need” the majority of people have no idea that the mere skill of being able to drive could be the answer to their prayers. There are many people who sit in a boring office all day long or work in a factory and who dream of being their own boss. Well you can be in charge of your own life sooner than you think!

Have a quick look at the questions below and if any or all of them apply to you then your new lifestyle could be just around the corner.

Stuck in a dead end 9-5 job?

No job and nothing on the horizon with bills to pay?

Hate the boss (don’t we all) fed up of having to justify all your actions?

Work like a slave all week for a pittance?

The list could go on and on but I think you get the picture. Unfortunately there are so many people who are either stuck in a rut, broke or bored and many are all three...

Now it is time to change that – you and your driving licence and this manualcan change your lifestyle – today.

Who Will Benefit FromThis Guide

This MasterManual has been written for people who have absolutely zero knowledege about being a driving courier (but if you are a courier if you usethis book correctly it your earnings could increase many times). There are many points that should be able to improve your turnover and ensure that you are running a profitable business without having to “split yourself” into two.

There is a wealth of useful and legal information in this e-book which in theory could be applied to other business start ups as well. I will cover in detail the aspects of being a courier driver but also we need to take a good,hard look at how to set up and run a small, successful business. There is nothing worse than being a ‘busy fool’ especially when you are using your own investment.

Obviously you are going to have to be serious and committed because if you fail to plan then you plan to fail. Business is not a game or a hobby. It has to be planned correctly from the outset and every aspect from cashflow to start up costs, fixed costs and day to day expenditure has to becalculated.

What Is The Difference Between A Sameday and Overnight Courier

Apologies if you are already a courier driver! But in this section I am just going to define what a courier does? I think most people have a vague idea what a courier is from guys in white vans, to larger commercial vehicles and even motorcycle couriers. Usually these people seem to be charging around as if the world were about to stop!

The simplest way to describe a courier is a person who transports packages, documents etc from one place to another.

There are, however, different types of courier services and employment available;

Sameday couriers are basically what the name suggests - you pick up the goods and deliver them the sameday. I guess you could say being a sameday courier is a sub-niche within the larger niche of couriers.

You see there are many large courier businesses, most of which you will have seen around such as FedEx, DHL or UPS who operate a large transport fleet and will deliver thousands of items daily. These items are usually processed through one of their warehouses and entered into their system before they are passed onto the customer. An example of this would be a clothes shop chain waiting for delivery of its new stock. The stock would leave the manufacturer (say in Italy) then end up in one of these large courier warehouses, get processed again and eventually be designated a space for delivery to the end customer.

I have used the above example because when I explain how being a same day courier differs you will really begin to see the potential in this market. You will, as they say, be feeding a starving crowd...

Some companies cannot wait even for a day for an item they need. For whatever reason such as an important document that has to be signed that day or it’s invalid - or its an order that has been paid for and the customer will want their money back if they don’t get their goods that day. Basically that item has to be delivered on the same day hence the term sameday couriers.

Large fleet courier companies tend to use a next day or overnight delivery basis and it is just not feasible due to their management and costing structure to use a single vehicle to transfer one item. It would not be cost effective nor profitable use of their manpower many of which are salaried.

Well this is not good enough for some companies and business owners.As I stated above they need their item the same day or they lose money or miss a crucial deadline.

Sameday Courier – What Do I have To Do?

So you are probably thinking “Oh well this is where I would fit in.” Yes that's right. You would be a specialist courier which would involve you delivering high value documents such as contracts, tenders, laptops, passports, cheques, loan agreements deeds and wills.

These type of document deliveries are virtually “recession proof”. In fact during a recession I have found I am actually busier as companies need to “close that deal” or sign that contract and are not willing to take any chances with their documents not reaching their destination on time.

This is an extremely lucrative market that most couriers or people who are looking to become a courier overlook. Being a courier is not all about parcels or large items.

As with any business there is always a sub-niche or ‘starving crowd’ and this is it. You can earn £350 a day as a same day courier.

As a self-employed freelance courier who would be in charge of his/her own workload you would have total control and flexibility of what you could and could not collect and deliver.

Sameday couriers (unlike the popular myth) do not tend to work more hours than is usual for a business day nor if you pick the right work do they spend their day lifting and grunting with enourmous, heavy packages.

Most couriers for example would pick up a package or document in Oxford complete the delivery in Birmingham then back to Oxford for another package. Sounds good and not too difficult?

With regard to what you deliver as I said earlier there is a huge market or ‘starving crowd’ who need important documents delivering. There are now many loan companies who are requesting that couriers collect their completed loan applications as these are either delayed or lost in the post.This would obviously delay the loan application.

With regard to how many miles per day you will be doing again this is totally up to you. You see you are now the boss and with some insight, planning and up to the mark organisational skills you will be able to dovetaila nice, round robin trip and make maximum profit. Organisation is the key here.

The profit margins vary depending on various factors which I will go into in more depth later on in this book. On average though you can easily make about £1.50 or more profit for every mile you do. This can go up and downbut again once you have more information you will be able to structure yourworkload and profit accordingly

What this kind of work does is give you control. There is nothing nicer than control so if you wish you can plan your deliveries around other committments. This kind of freedom really does take the pressure away from every day life.

So Why Isn’t Everyone A Sameday Courier?

As with many things you think about doing or starting one of the first humanreactions is too look around and think that everyone must be doing it, or it must be really difficult or everyone and his/her dog would be doing this.

There are plenty of couriers driving on British roads but there are also plenty of coffee shops. There is the crowd and there is the market. You will always get the naysayers who say that with the progression of modern technology and being able to transfer files etc via the internet the courier industry wont last long. This is not the case at all as in the first instance there are many, many legal items that just have to be there on time.

Well this speciality courier work will not be affected by that because yes “things have moved on” but in the case of wills, tenders and contracts – it has to be a real physical item that people need to have. Let’s face it. How many times have you been told that a “fax copy” wont do. Businesses involved in tenders, contracts and management need to see, read and sign a hard copy.

They will not accept an internet file nor a faxed copy.

If you love driving you will love being a courier and I dont think for one minute you would be reading this if you hated driving. Being a courier has given me the freedom and independence that “employment” has never given me.

I love whizzing around getting to see new places and people and not having to say to my daughter that I can’t go to her school play because the boss won’t let me. There are with any jobs some days when It would be nice just to be sat still but I don’t have them very often and usually just haveto see everyone waiting for the bus in the mornings to remind myself how lucky I am.

I know this probably sounds a bit sad but I often look a lorry drivers who aregoverened by their haulage bosses and think glad I am not them.

Another important point to remember is that being a sameday courier is notthe same sitting in stationary traffic every morning and night, five days a week. Nope it is definately not. On many deliveries I can organise my routes etc to avoid the chaos known as ‘the rushhour’.

Have I Got “What It Takes” To Be a Sameday Courier?

I believe the following characteristics would mean you would not only have the right personality but also would really love being a courier driver.

First off you have to like driving – if you don’t forget it as you will become frustrated and angry. I had a job in retail for a while but hated it and am sure the customers hated me.

Your appearance is important – no-one is saying you have to turn up in a Saville Row suit but if you are casually but smartly dressed you will get return business.

Honesty – a rather obvious point. These packages, documents mean a

great deal to your customer!

Reliability - If you are not reliable then you are absolutely no good as a same day courier. The point of being a same day courier is that people have hired you and are depending on your service. If they did not need it they would have popped it in the post or onto one of the overnight carriers.

Organised – This is imperative because if you are not your day will be badly planned and you will soon become unreliable and out of business. Companies quickly get to hear which couriers are prompt and reliable and which ones keep letting them down.

Having a clean driving licence is always the best option and if you do have any points or convictions please, please check what kind of insurance you will be able to obtain before committing yourself to this business. We all know that even car insurance for domestic use only is higher if our licencseisn’t clean.

The next thing you need to consider is whether or not you want to work full or part-time. It really is up to you as the job is suitable for either - however if you are part-time the key to making it successful if the flexibility of your working hours. You could commit to doing only so many hours per week but you do need to be a little bit flexible on when you do these.

As with any job as your experience grows you will become better at planning, knowing which are the better jobs and can find yourself working even fewer hours for the same amount of money.

How To Find This “Specialist Work”

.Ok here is the important part – how do I find this work? Who do I contact?

Well firstly remember the “niche market” you are targeting. It is a specialist,sameday courier market delivering specialist items such as contracts, tenders, wills etc. You need to be contacting businesses that will require your services. This is very important.

You need to focus and concentrate on what you are trying to achieve.

Solicitors, loan companies, finance companies are among a few to start with. I have included a fairly comprehensive list for you (names and addresses of solicitors), at the back of this manual. This should help you get started. Obviously not every single area in the United Kingdom is covered so I would advise using this list as a starting point then do the following - try www.yell.com. Just type in what you are looking for and which area. Ie; Solicitors in Donnington - Yell.com is a brilliant resource to “dig deeper” as you can really narrow your search.

So you've got a list ready ( I would recommend the businesses closer to home at first then branch-out ). You must make a checklist that you can cross reference against. This will avoid you contacting people twice or not contacting them at all.

What Next? – How Do I Sell My Services?

You have got to sell yourself – you will only have one chance to impress so you must not contact businesses with half the information they need. You have to sound like you know what you are doing.

There are two ways of contacting the businesses – one is to telephone and the other is to make a personal visit. I would highly recommend you make a personal visit. People are always, always more interested if they can put a face to a name. You really will increase your chances of business if you make this effort. Also in the busy world of commerce it is very easy forpeople to not really pay much attention to you if your only on the telephone.

When you do make contact introduce yourself to the Practice or Office Manager. Be positive and in a position to give/send them information regarding yourself. This information MUST be presented in a professional manner – not on a scrappy piece of paper (more information later on in the manual regarding business cards etc).

http://www.yell.com/

Make sure you have this information to hand even if you are only telephoning them. Write down all the questions they may ask you so you can answer them readily and proficiently

An example of what you may wish to tell them is;

Who you are.Business name.Where you are based.Vehicle driven.Insurance available.When you are availableExperienceReferences

With regard to references you are probably thinking well I’ve only just started in this business “what do I do here”? Don’t worry and don’t lie.

The two methods to overcome this problem are;

Obtain a couple of well written references from friends or members of a professional body that knows you (rather like the ones you would use for your passport). References are important as they back up who you are and if any of your potential customers have doubts this will usually allay their fears.

Secondly get some sub-contract work with another local specialist courier company. I have included information regarding how this works later on in the manual. I have also included a very comprehensive list of courier companies in the United Kingdom who you can contact to see if they have any openings. Explain to them that you are a specialist courier and are able to provide a dedicated, confidential and secure method of transporting sensitive documents.

If you are going to pay them a visit make sure you look smart and if you dohave your own vehicle make sure it is spotless.

You have got to put the effort in and persevere. This is the case with any business venture you wish to start not just courier driving.

I will say this again, probably a million times before the end of this manual, if they do give you work please do not let them down. Networking is king of any business or career and negative comments always seem to stick more than positive ones!

The Despatch Association is a resource to provide information and industrynews to self employed courier drivers. You will find articles and hints and tips on insurance brokers, changes in the law and even a model letter to help you apply against any parking tickets. I personally believe it is well worth the small membership fee as you will have a support network and a reliable avenue if you are having problems or just general queries.

As with any type of business courier companies will always keep a backup of drivers they can contact if they need and these are always good lists to be on. Again the key is to be reliable and trustworthy. If they do give you achance don’t let them down or they won’t use you again.

You should try and get some business cards printed. You should always carry these. You will be asked for one in the most random of situations andI can always kick myself if I forget mine. These are a great networking asset and although you might not necessarily hear anything to start with it could and quite often does lead to a job and repeat business.

You see what you are trying to build up is repeat business you don’t want tobe the ‘one job wonder’. Once you have gained the respect and trust of businesses you will be their first point of call when they need a job doing. This in turn gives you the stability, and regular income you need. It is always nicer as well to do business with a known quantity. It just makes it easier for them and you.

Shop around for your business card quotes. There are printers available who will not ask for a huge minimum order or charge excessive amounts if they have to do the design for you.

If you are not sure if you want to commit yourself to being a courier I would advise you to try it out first. You can do this by contacting some of the larger courier companies first such as City Sprint which is one of the UK’s largest Sameday courier companies. If you don’t own your own vehicle they will provide advice and can arrange on your behlaf a competitive rentalvehicle agreement.

Can I Test “The Water First”?

They also provide on their website www.citysprint.co.uk a section which shows available vacancies in your area.

You will, of course, not have the freedom of choice etc as with your own courier business but if you do have reservations it is a great way to start. Lets face it you might hate it and at least you have found out sooner rather than later.

If you do have your own vehicle and don’t want to rent one but are still unsure that this is for you then contact some of your local courier companies and try some sub-contracting. You might need to be a little flexible on price especially if you have little or no experience. You will however soon find out if you enjoy this type of work.

Sub-contracting works goes as follows;

Customer calls company with a jobCompany finds another courier to do this job at a lower rate (subbing)Company and courier agree the price Subby carries out the workThe customer pays the courier company and then the company will pay the subby.

** Always check the companies payment terms and conditions before accepting work. This is imperative in order that you can manage your cashflow and keep your business running. I will cover cashflow in a separate chapter in this book.

http://www.citysprint.co.uk/

Best Type of Vehicle

Well I know the typical perception of couriers is the “white van man”. Well yes if you are humping huge parcels or car parts then you would need a van.

This isn’t the case here. Remember what we are looking for here is to utilize a sub-niche – documents, cheques, wills, computer parts etc. You do not need a transit van for this. What you do need is a reliable and fuel saving car. I have always used Corsas but there are many other typesof vehicle you could use such as ‘smart cars’ (as used by citysprint).

If you are still keen to purchase your own van you could always trial this method before you committ. I know some couriers who just hired a van or car for a short period of time to see if they liked it. Just make sure, as with anything, that you read the small print. Costs mount up and also you wouldneed to be very clear where you stood regarding insurance and any possible accidents and subsequent claims.

You may well have your own van which is great but you do need to make sure you do your sums. Running a larger van, rather like a larger house, will eat into your profit margins. A smaller, domestic “parcel car” could be more viable.

For example say the difference in costing between a van and a car was 8p a mile - this adds up to £8 every hundred miles you do. Take this figure and multiply it by your average weekly mileage and you could soon find your van costing you ££££’s in profit.

There are some couriers who prefer to use a motorcycle. These people tend to be based in major cities where congestion, bus lanes and lane rulesmake it more difficult.

Running a motorcycle will be cheaper than a car or van and yes extremely useful in congested cities but the downsides are they are not as safe on the

motorways especially in bad weather and the comfort factor really isn’t there. You will still be able to make a profit using a motorcycle but you need to assess where the bulk of your main deliveries will be. If you are just sticking to say London then it may be more beneficial for you.

If you are more interested in becoming a motorcycle courier then there are other various bodies which will be able to help you find work such as motorcycle magazines and online recruitment agencies. Just type motorcycle courier work or motorcycle courier companies into your browserand you will definitely find something.

Ok so if you have decided that you would rather go down the route of a parcel car what next? Well have a look at what you already have. How old is your vehicle? How much does it cost to run and is it reliable? You may find that a ten year old, gas guzzling car is ok for running the family around but when you start to use it as a business vehicle it becomes a money eating liability.

You also need to bear in mind the following;

You will be a newcomer to this industry and vying for work with other more experienced and well known drivers. A lot of companies do prefer it if you have a van and some will only hire a parcel car if desperate. This could bea problem if you are just starting out. One of the ways I overcame this was to make sure I had a car that was clean and professional looking, ie; no stuffed or nodding dogs or baby car seats in it. Impressions are everything.

The second biggest implication of going down the parcel car route is the dreaded tax. Yep that one thing we can never get away from.

If you use your personal vehicle to deliver parcels you will not be eligible forthe tax benefits you could get if you were using a van. VAT and fuel consumption also fall under this category.

You could always consider a kind of half way house and look at some smaller vans such as Fiat vans or Peugoet vans. I will, later on, for those of you who are interested in a van as opposed to a car just run through some of the options open to you.

How Do I Actually Set My Own Business Up

Well the first thing you need to do is have an initial plan. Not a full blown business plan yet just a simple check list to ensure you have all the information you need to hand.

I would in the first instance follow something like this;

What are my costs going to be?

VehicleFuelInsuranceAdvertisingAccountancy Fees

How much can I earn?

Work AvailableRates of PayPotential Customers (very important research)Potential income

Competition

How many competitors do you have and importantly take a good look at thesuccessful ones and see how they are doing it. Important point is when you are assessing your competitors make sure you choose one along the same lines as the business you are going to run. So if you are going to use a car to deliver important documents don’t compare yourself to TNT!

You will be able to find a great deal of information regarding some of these issues later on in this book. I would, however, recommend that you carry out thorough research regarding this in your particular area.

Contact local couriers and ask for prices and quotes - this way you will have an idea how they structure their quotes and prices.

Another great way of doing research is to actually make a list of business parks, industrial estates etc and go along and see what’s happening. It’s amazing how much you can glean from just watching.

Start a small survey of as many people you can think of too see if they use courier services. You need to ask specific questions ie do they use them fordelivering important documents. Some examples would be:

Ask family and friends do they use couriers or do their employers.

If they do what services do they use?

How often would they use a courier?How much would they be prepared to pay?What attributes do they look for before hiring a courier company?Would they use a courier to ensure an important document was received on time?

Start networking – word of mouth is usually the best form of advertising andbuilding long lasting business relationships. It’s not always easy to make that plunge but once you do it gets easier. You just have to make that initialeffort to contact people and join in. If you are uneasy about contacting local companies and businesses start off by joining a forum or discussion group online and try and get a feel that way. You do need, however, to get out into your business community at some point.

Once you start looking and asking you will quickly start to build a picture which will be invaluable in your business plan.

Regarding your costs such as vehicle, insurance etc again make a list of allthe suppliers you might use. Contact them and get all the relevant quotes and information you may need.

Speak to the business planning section in your bank – they are usually extremely helpful and will provide you with a business plan, help you complete it and also give you an honest insight as to whether this will work.You must do this even if you dont need to borrow any money. A business plan provided by banks will cover everything (even things that don’t apply to you).

Do I Need To Formally Register My Business?

No you don’t - you can just set up as a ‘sole trader’ which for a Specialist Sameday Courier should be sufficient. You would be personally liable for any debts but unlike a retail store which has to carry thousands and thousands of pounds of stock you would not have these overheads.

You could, if you wished, set up a limited company which would limit any debt liability.

Before you decide which route you are going down “sole trader” or limited company seek advice from a chartered accountant. This is very, very important and well worth the fee you may pay. They will be able to advise you on which way to go based upon your present financial situation and also if there are any financial benefits to be gained.

I know so many people that have not done this at the outset and have hit problems later on. Forearmed is forewarned.

Do I Need To Register My Business For VAT?

You do have a legal obligation to register your business for VAT once you reach the threshold of £85,000. However by becoming VAT registered youwill be able to charge VAT to your customers. This can help with monetarysavings such as fuel. You should find that quite a few of your clients will be VAT registered and will have no problem with you charging VAT.

My advice would be to seek the advice of an accountant first before committing yourself to anything. You should also check out the Inland revenue and VAT website. www.hmrc.gov.uk/VAT/start/introduction.htm

How To Find A Good Accountant

The best way is to ask around, it really is! You will know many people thathave used or are using accountants. Recommendation is the best option and I would in the first instance use a local accountant.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/VAT/start/introduction.htm

It is easier to build and maintain a relationship especially during the first twelve months of a new business. By all means ask if they have any otheraccounts relating to the courier industry but I would not get to hung up on that to start with.

Main points that need to be met by your accountant;

Available to speak to quickly.Reliable and honest advice.Ensures that you do not forget to submit process any important documents.Helpful and approachable – do not choose an accountant who makes you feel like their doing you a favour. They are not – they are working for you!

Book-keeping and Records

I thought I would add this one just after finding a good accountant. When you do start trading please make sure you have set up an organised system for your records and receipts. You should really set this up before you start trading as anything you have bought prior to this might be able to be used. A word of caution is if you do not do this it will cost you a lot moremoney further down the line when your accountant is trying to sort the mess out... You have been warned.

How Do I Sort My Tax Out?

The first thing you need to do is contact your local tax office and inform them that you are going to be self employed. They will want certain information from you.

Although HM Revenue & Customs is not everyones’ favourite they do provide excellent help and information regarding all aspects of being self-employed.

If you visit their website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm you will be able to register either online, by telephoning the newly self-

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/startingup/index.htm

employed helpline or print off an application form.

They also have links regarding starting up your own business, self-employment and self assessment.

It really is an extremely helpful and easy to use website and if you take sometime to have a look around you will find all the help and information you need.

This is the best option as tax and vat rules do change and this way you will get the most uptodate and current information.

A quick overview is:

Income received as a self-employed courier will not have been subjected totax. It is the law that any untaxed income you receive has to be declared to the HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs).

You will have to complete a tax return every year. This can be done manually or online.

You will be able to claim tax relief on your running costs and other costs you may incur such as marketing and advertising.

You will also be able to claim tax relief if you run your business from home.This will probably be a partial claim and you have to be able to identify the business part of your expenses. You will have to make an estimate of what proportion of your home is used for business purposes. This is easy if you only use one room exclusively (say your office)

Another fantastic and easy to navigate website is: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk . This site provides loads of information regarding business plans, sample business plans, budgeting, common mistakes, markets and competitors.

These sites and others like them are fundamental to your overall research and will fill in the gaps on your business plan.

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/

If you are still finding it difficult to complete a business plan I would start with a Business Strategy.

This can be short say a couple of pages and is a great way to base your business plan on.

Vision

Ok you need to develop a REALISTIC vision for your business. What will it look like or be like in three years. For example: how large, activities etc. A way to test this is to imagine if an alien from another planet landed! What would they find?

Mission

What is this business all about. What am I hoping to achieve. What is the purpose of my courier business. This is great for really focusing on what you want to do. So instead of saying I deliver things you would say I deliver important documents the same day. It gives you clarification and cuts out the ‘wooliness’.

Objectives

What are my objectives. Filling this in forces you to plan for the short, medium and long-term. How do you see your business in the short-term? What profits do you expect, how is your cashflow going to be? You need to clearly state your business objectives in terms of the results/wants.

Values

How is your business going to be operated. How will you conduct relationships with your customers etc. A very important part as it enables you to set off on a professional stance from day one.

Strategies

The strategies are the rules by which the mission, objectives are governed. All business no matter how large or small needs strategies to become and stay successful.

For example one strategy could be;

A new vehcile will replace the existing one within three years

Or

The companys’ internal cash flow will fund all my future growth.

Goals

Your goals are specific time-based measurements which you will acheive by implementing strategies.

Programs

Programs will set out the implementation plans for your key strategies.

Cashflow

I mentioned this earlier in the book when discussing sub-contracting and now we have run through the importance of business plans I just wanted to say a bit more about this.

Cashflow is the life blood of ANY BUSINESS but unfortunately not taken seriously enough.

Cashflow will make the difference between survival or failure of your business.

One of the main mistakes people make is to confuse cashflow with profit. These are two totally different things. Profit is the difference between your income and your outgoings and is measured over a period of time.

Cashflow is money coming into the business from courier work and is used to help pay for money going out of the business for insurance, car, van etc.

Problems occur if:

A) You dont have enough work orB) You are having problems being paid by courier companies and

customers.

The way to try and help overcome these problems is to prepare a cash flowforecast. This means you need to try and plan out what costs you are going to have for the following year and also what you think you are going to earn. As a new business this is more difficult and has to be based on your research (that is why it is so important).

I have listed below how your cashflow is worked out. You will find tables etc within your business planner.

Receipts: This will be an estimate of the predicted sales revenue for each month. This is found by multiplying the amount the firm thinks it will sell by the price they charge.

Payments: This section will detail the payments that the firm expects to have to make during the year. This will be added together to give a 'Total Payments' box for each month.

Net Cash Flow: This will show the difference between the total payments and the receipts. For example, if in January a firm expects to receive £500 in revenue but will expect its total payments to be £650, it will have a net cash flow of - £150. This can either be put into the box as a minus number or is sometimes put in brackets (£150) to show that it is a negative figure.

Opening Balance: This shows the money that a firm has carried over from a previous month. For example, in the case above, the firm would have to show that it had a negative cash flow of -£150 carried over from January in the box for 'opening balance' for February.

Closing Balance: This is the difference between the net cash flow figure and the opening balance.

As you can see from the above problems can really start if you are not paidon time because you will have (as a new business especially) worked out your cash flow based on your or the courier companies payment terms and your payment terms. Always make sure your customers are aware of your payment terms and always check the courier company’s payment terms.Before you does any sub-contracting ask around to see if the company are:

A) good payers – or, B) liable to go out of business.

If you do have problems you could always try re-negotiating the terms

How To Get Work

I have included at the very end of this book a list of courier companies that are reliable and pay on time. This list will get you started and into the industry but you should begin by contacting your local companies. These can be found on the yellow pages, local newspapers, asking friends and family and also the internet. Be wary of some of the advertisements on the internet though as they offer you work but will take apercentage of your earnings. As I have said before to get the best from searching the internet pick your search terms carefully.

As discussed earlier you need to have some business cards printed and some letterheads. I personally would get some invoice pads printed as they look more professional and as a newcomer this is always important. Just make sure you negotiate a small order with the printer. If you change your mind later you don’t want to be left with thousands of unused invoices.

Your business card needs to be something like this;

Company NameTag line stating your servicesYour NameType of work you doContact numbersE-mail address

Most printers will at the outset state they can only do a minimum amount but don’t take no for an answer and haggle – they will usually meet you halfway in the end.

There are also online printing sites that are quite reasonable – you get to put your own information in etc and it will give you a price. Try www.clickbusinesscards.co.uk

Once you have your complete list to hand I would recommend this method;

Start with the local companies that have a few vans then move further afield. Remember don’t pay any of these companies any upfront fees or monthly fees as they usually turn out to be scams. If you are not sure check on the forums as they have all the latest and up-to-date news.

Also try and check out their trading history if you can – remember what I said in the chapter cashflow about companies going out of business and you not getting paid. This is one of the reasons it is good to start with yourlocal companies because you will usually know who they are and how long they have been around. This helps give you a good start without getting your fingers burnt.

When you have made contact you will need to give them the following details;

http://www.clickbusinesscards.co.uk/

Type of vehicleWeight It will carryWhen you are available (be very available to start with!)Type of insurance you have

Once you have a company that wants you to do some work

You will give them a price and an ETA.If they agree you will be given a collection address.Once you have collected give them a call to confirm.You then deliver the goods and get a POD signedYou then call into the company with the POD detailsThen send them the POD

I know its a bit of a simple way to describe the procedure but when you are starting a new career the simpler the better. Following this will mean you really do look like you know what you are doing.

When Will I Be Paid?

This will vary from company to company. As I said before because all companies are different you need to check their payment terms and payment history so you can build this into your cashflow.

Tips On How To Pick The Best Work and Avoid The Common Pitfalls

Spread yourself around and dont put all your eggs in one basket.

Pay all your bills on time.

Don’t take on work you know you can’t do.

Try not to give ETA on backloads ( I will explain all about these later)

You must keep on top of your book-keeping and send out your invoices promptly.

If a company owes you more than one months worth of money don’t do anymore work for them. Remember time is money and their is a price to bepaid for your time. So if they don’t pay you they don’t get your time!!

What To Do If Payment Is Overdue

Firstly what not to do;

Lose your temper- not a good move and rarely resolves anything.

Do not threaten or harrass anyone unless you want to get arrested.

No naming on forums – this is a really, really bad idea as once it’s there it’s there and the person concerned could take legal action against you.

Tips to Get Paid

Check your facts first – make sure the invoice is overdue.

Give them a friendly call as this usually works wonders.

If nothing turns up then send a statement which lists all outstanding invoices – include all reference numbers and again make sure your information is correct.

Next step contact them or write to them informing the company you will do no further work until your outstanding invoices have been paid.

You could then send a letter saying payment is required within seven days or the matter will be referred to a debt collection agency.

If you have still not been paid then you could consider referring this to a debt collection agency. Do check the agency fees etc first otherwise you could find yourself out of pocket.

Business Costs

In a previous chapter discussing a business plan I mentioned your costs and included a few. In this chapter I am going to go into these in more detail.

Insurance

Your insurance cover is very, very important and please do not try and cut corners with this otherwise you could end up with some serious problems.

Firstly if you are just “dipping your toe in the water” and don’t have your own vehicle firms such as citysprint will include your insurance with your rental vehicle. Other courier companies will also have “goods in transit” cover but you need to check this out thoroughly before you take on any work.

With regard to obtaining your own insurance this is one of the major points you need to research before committing yourself. Below I have listed a fewpointers that you need to bear in mind;

Just having business use on your policy is not enough to be able to carry out deliveries as a courier. You need to start a new policy or amend an existing one to include ‘carriage of goods for hire and reward.’

By doing this you will be able to get work subbing for other companies. This insurance also protects you from any other problems you might face if anything happens to the goods you are carrying.

You also need to make sure you have goods in transit cover. This covers loss or damge to the goods you are carrying for people.

Before you sign any insurance policy documents you need to check the wording very carefully to make sure you are covered for everything you need to be.

Bear in mind the “goods in transit” section exclusions can be longer than the rest of the policy.

Double check this as there could be some items on that list that you really do need to be covered for.

Another point to look out for with “goods in transit” is that some policies will only cover the goods when they are in your vehicle not whilst you’re walking accross the road or taking them into an office.

Public liability insurance is also important and quite often you can get this bundled in with goods in transit for a small fee.

Public liability insurance covers you in case you damage property or injure people. Say you put a small parcel down on the floor and someone falls over it and injures themselves you should be covered.

Again please check this part of the policy carefully because unfortunately there have been instances where people have not been insured because they were deemed “not to have taken care” or if on a companies’ premises not following that companies’ health and safety policy. Check and check again. If you are not sure what the insurance company are trying to sell you do not buy it until you are.

Earlier in the book when we were looking at business planning I mentioned the important of networking and meeting other like minded people. If you have done this I would speak to these people regarding insurance before you do commit. Insurance companies can be great one year and dire the next and what might seem like an unbelievable deal usually is unbelievableand will come back and bite you in the butt!

Make sure you can pay your insurance monthly as this will help your cashflow.

I have listed two insurance companies that are good but please dont just take my word for it. Everybodys’ personal and financial situations are different.

Vehicle

As I stated earlier your vehicle is one of your main costs.

If you are completely sure this is what you want to do and want your own vehicle bear this in mind.

In order to maximize your profits and manage your cashflow you do need tokeep this as low as possible . I am sure you would like the ‘brand spankingnew van’ but do you really need it. No you don’t as you will be specializing in delivering documents etc and you do not need a van. Companies who are hiring you to deliver documents do not expect you to turn up in a van.

If you are thinking of delivering heavier, bulkier items then you would probably need to get a van. You could always look at the courier van kombis. These are a cross between a van and a car and have rear seats.

Many couriers carrying out this specialized delivery are using cars such as Smart Cars or Corsas and Nissans.

Do You Buy Or Lease?

This is the million dollar question and one that a lot of couriers don’t alwaysagree on. There are some couriers who would rather buy their vehicle outright and not have the monthly payments to make and there are some who would rather pay monthly knowing they can give the car/van back at the end of the term and either walk away or start again.

Some people also like the idea of flexible agreement terms that can includeservicing and maintenance. Also giving the vehicle back helps eliminate the risk of depreciation.

My honest advice would be you need to look at your circumstances before you make a decision. Here are a few things to consider:

Do you own a van or car?

How old is your vehicle?

Is it suitable for courier work?

Can you have exclusive use of the vehicle all day (is it shared by a partner)

How many miles has it done?

Can you service your own vehicle?

Would you have to borrow money to buy a car or van outright?

Would you need finance and if so have you got any other money to live on if times are quiet. The loan will still need paying?

How many miles are you thinking of doing?

These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself to weigh up all your options. As I said everyones circumstances are different.

I have included below a brief summary of how vehicles can be financed and what you should get within each contract. This will help you make your mind up and also if you know what you are talking about you should be able to negotiate a good deal.

CONTRACT HIRE

Fix the cost of your vehiclesVan Contract hire from Best 4 Vans - could prove ideal for your business. You can focus on core activities, by fixing your costs and avoiding the burden and risk of owning your own vehicles.

Contract hire benefits

* Fixed monthly payments - easier budgeting comes as standard

* Flexible agreement terms - variable terms and mileage available

* Vehicle maintenance option - include servicing and maintenance in your rentals to help spread the cost

* Eliminate risk of asset depreciation - at the end of the

agreement, you simply hand back the vehicle, subject to return conditions and excess mileage.

For a set monthly sum, everything except fuel and motor insurance can betaken care of in your finance package - including servicing, tyres, even the tax disc. At the end of the agreement, you simply hand back the vehicle. Or you simply could negotiate a favourable extension to the contract.

CONTRACT PURCHASE

The fixed cost way to buy assets.Contract purchase fixes your monthly payments and offers you flexible terms.This type of finance gives you the opportunity to either retain or return the vehicle at the end of the agreement.

Contract purchase benefits

* Fixed monthly payments - budgeting is easier when you know the costs in advance

* Flexible agreement terms - variable terms and mileage available

* Optional maintenance and added value services - can be included in the agreement

* Guaranteed resale value - fix a vehicle resale value to take effect at the end of the agreement

* Full ownership at end of contract - you own the vehicles once all payments have been made

This finance may be preferable if you want to own your vehicles, yet avoidthe risk of depreciating assets. A guaranteed residual value helps improve your cash flow during the agreement while making the vehicles cost effective to buy.

FINANCE LEASE

The benefits of ownership - without the downsidesThe benefits of ownership with spread fixed rentals and disposal taken care of.

Finance lease benefits

* Low up-front costs - for just a small outlay, you can use the assets immediately

* Flexible repayment structure - rental payments can be tailored to match your cash flow

* Fixed or variable interest options - you decide which suits you best

* Tax advantages - VAT is payable on the rentals, not the purchase price, while payments can normally be offset against taxable profit.

Monthly payments can be matched to your cash flow. At the end of this commercial leasing agreement, the relevant assets are sold and you receive the major share of the proceeds. As the asset owner, the company claims the available writing-down allowances and reflect this in your monthly payments.

HIRE PURCHASE

Own your asset while spreading the costHire purchase - otherwise known as lease purchase - is a simple repayment facility, where you eventually own the asset at the end of your agreement.

Hire purchase benefits

* Total control - the asset is yours at the end of the agreement

* Flexibility in your repayments - makes for easy budgeting

* Fixed or variable interest options - it's your decision which is best for you

* Tax advantages - normally you can claim writing-down allowances and perhaps capital grants, while repayment interest may be offset against profits and VAT is usually reclaimable (special rules apply to cars)

There is great flexibility with this type of asset finance. It can be structured in various ways, with a flexible deposit, fixed payments and perhaps a balloon final lump sum.

Tax Implications

First off, a quick disclaimer. The following information is provided for guidance only. It is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Please seek independent advice before using this information to enter into any financial agreement. We accept no responsibility for any liability that results from the application of the following information.

Sorry about that, but the tax situation is constantly changing. All I can do is provide some generic guidelines about the situation at the time of publication. So please check with your accountant to ensure that the guidelines apply in your case.

The tax implications of your new vehicle will depend upon a number of factors. These are tied to the three main types of finance contracts:

* Contract Hire * Lease Purchase * Finance Lease

Contract Hire

With Business Contract Hire, the business is liable for the van, but it doesn’t own it. That means it is not part of the business assets. No capital allowances can be claimed against the van, but all of the monthly charges

can be offset against profits for tax purposes as a business expense.

There is no ‘benefit in kind’ charge in respect of an employer provided van where the ‘restricted private use’ condition is met.

Where the condition is not met the charge for unrestricted private use of thevan is £3000. Where an employer provides fuel for unrestricted private use an additional fuel charge of £500 may also apply. So meeting the ‘restrictedprivate use’ condition is vital in avoiding a hefty tax bill.

The ‘restricted private use’ condition is met if:

The terms on which the van is made available to the employee prohibit its private use other than for ordinary commuting or travel between two places that is, for practical purposes, substantially ordinary commuting; and

Neither the employee nor a member of their family or household makesprivate use of the van other than for those purposes; and

The van is available to the employee mainly for use for the purpose of the employee’s business travel. This means that the van cannot be used forcommuting purposes alone.

More information can be found on the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/vans/index.htm

Lease Purchase

With Business Lease Purchase the van becomes a company asset. That means you can claim capital allowances on the van. Although the chancellor introduced the Annual Investment Allowance back in in April 2008 it will not surprise you that it cannot be used for vehicles. There is also no First Year Allowance on vans so all you get is the Writing Down Allowance of 20% per year. This is also capped at £3000 per year. You can however claim the interest payments as an operating expense separately. Ifit is used for private mileage then the same costs apply as per Contract Hire.

Hopefully this will help you to understand the tax implications of your decision to take out a contract for a new van. If you still have questions we are happy to provide generic advice, but you need to check with your accountant as they will be more fully aware of your full tax situation.

Maintenance

If you do own your vehicle you need to build in these costs;

Servicing and maintenance.These costs can be quite hefty if you are doing a high mileage per year. People sometimes forget that running a car for pleasure is not the same as for business.

Your car parts including tyres will need replacing more frequently and you will need regular services.

It is important that you build a reasonable amount into your expenditure to cover these costs. What ever you do don’t ignore them or hope they don’t happen to you. They will and you need money set aside from your incometo cover these. If you don’t then your car or van will be off the road and the business you worked so hard to build and all the contacts you made willbe lost. Companies will not be loyal and wait for you to get enough money together for your repairs. You will lose them overnight.

Breakdown Recovery Service

This is another important cost that you should not ignore. If you do there will come the day when you are stuck on the motorway with no cover. It really is easier to pay for this monthly than be landed with no vehicle and a huge bill to recover it.

Road Tax

No-one can escape from this. The DVLA and the police now use a system that patrol cars can pick up whether or not a car is taxed and insured just from the registration number.

Telephone Bill

Your mobile bill will be higher as you will be on the move all day and will need to stay in touch with your customers regarding collections and deliveries. You also need to be contactable regarding future work.

Take the time to check out service providers to get the best deal and also check with your accountant regarding writing part of the bill off against your tax.

It is also better to have a mobile that is e-mail enabled as well – this will mean you can send quotes on the go! And keep in touch. If you are thinking of getting a new mobile phone check out the section further on in this book on how to use “free sat nav” with certain nokia phones.

Fuel

This one of your biggest expenses and without it you are going no-where!

The tips I am going to give you can help you cut your fuel costs dramatically. You see you will be doing a large amount of miles per year so if you implement many, small changes the savings at the end of the yearwill be quite considerable. That is the key to saving money on fuel – lots ofsmall changes carried out consistently.

Always make sure your tyre pressure is correct. Incorrect pressure will result in you using more fuel.

You need to maintain momentum whilst driving;

Anticipate gaps in traffic at roundabouts.

Don’t rush to the traffic lights only to have to break sharply. It is a fact that driving at the speed limit will give you mainly green lights.

If in a traffic queue don’t sit straight behind the car in front only to keep stopstarting - keep your distance and you will find you will keep moving.

Try and reach top gear quicker go from second to fourth. Although cars are designed to start in the lowest gear possible this means an increase in fuel consumption.

Remember for every 5mph you drive over 65mph represents a 7% decrease in fuel economy.

If you do have cruise control use is sensibly. Cruise control wil help improve your fuel intake but only if you are driving on mostly flat roads.If you are driving up hilly roads the cruise control will cause your vehicle to speed up thus using more fuel.

Only carry what you have to in your vehicle. Heavier vehicles require more energy to move so exess weight will affect your mileage.

Try and avoid excessive idling. It is more efficient where you can to turn the engine off and start it again.

Whilst using airconditioning in your vehicle does use more fuel it can be worse to drive with all the windows down as there is an increase in drag on the vehicle. So if you are driving slowly around town then wind your windows down but if you are on the motorway then turn on the air conditioning.

Check your air filter as if its dirty this will restrict the flow of air into the engine. More fuel will be used

Don’t fill your car/van up on the motorway as it costs more.

Find out the lowest petrol prices in your area. There is a great website called www.petrolprices.com If you create an account (free) you will by entering your postcode be able to see on a daily basis which are the cheapest fuel stations in the area your in. It covers all UK petrol stations

and has daily updates.

These tips over the course of a year will save you a considerable amount offuel thus maximising your profits.

Fuel Cards

I thought it would be approriate to mention fuel cards in this section as I frequently get asked if they are beneficial.

Fuel cards are a great way to control your cashflow, I guess the way to think about them is rather like a credit card (you will need a good credit rating to aquire one of these as you will be credit checked).

You will pay for your fuel on your card and then receive an invoice usually on a weekly basis. This is a good way of always having your fuel expenditure to hand for your accountant etc as you dont have to worry about losing your receipts! Most companies will have different types of fuel accounts to suit different businesses. They will usually work out which one you need by reviewing your consumption, distance and type of vehicle (petrol or diesel).

The main benefit to using fuel cards are the discounted prices you should receive. Some can offer 5-6p per litre cheaper than prices at the pumps. You will also be able find out the price for the following week so you wont be exposed to fluctuating prices. The way fixed price fuel cards do this is by “bunkering” to buy the fuel in at a fixed cost. You can also opt to pay pump prices so that you will be able to decide where and when to buy your fuel.

Companies such as Texaco, Keyfuels, Euroshell and BP are nationwide operators and you can buy your fuel from single or multinetwork petrol stations. There are also some fuel card companies that allow you to buy your fuel from the supermarket forecourts such as Tescos, Sainsburys and Morrisons.

There are companies that offer no hidden charges, or charges for invoicing,for the card and all you should pay for is the fuel.

You should consider the following points in order that you can find out which fuel card might be best for your business.

Do you need credit?

How much do you need to spend a month on fuel?

Will you want a single card to use in different petrol stations?

How do you want to pay – weekly or monthly?Here are a few fuel card providers for you too take a look at

Total Fuel Card NetworksEsso Fuel Card NetworksTexaco Fuel Card NetworksKeyfueld Card NetworksBP Card Networks

There is a great site called www.businessfuelcards.co.uk which will help you find the right fuel card in a few easy steps.

You could also consider only using a fuel card for emergencies – say you need fuel on the motorway and dont want to pay the pump price and use a credit card set up specifically for fuel usage only. This can be beneficial assome of the credit card companies terms can be longer.

Please read all small print and if your not sure post a question on a forum. Do not sign up until you have weighed up all the pros and cons.

Can I Really Make Up To £350 A Day?

Yes you can if you work smarter not harder! In the next paragraph I am going to explain how this can be done. You do, however, have to be committed, organised and run this as a business not a hobby. You have tobe “on the ball” and manage your time effectively.... This is the key and once you have got the hang of this and you are not “hopping” from one place to another with no specific game plan you will make money.

http://www.businessfuelcards.co.uk/

Take this example - if you and your client have agreed on a rate of £1.50 per mile to take documents from Oxford to Manchester which is approximately 100 miles. You then drove back to Oxford from Manchester you are only ACTUALLY earning 75 per mile because your total journey was 200 miles. This probably seems so simple to you as your reading this but you would not believe how many people will price a job, work out their cashflow based upon this and completely forget they have to do the return journey which of course needs fuel, wear and tear and time.

Please re-read the above paragraph and remember that EVERYTHING has to be taken in account when pricing jobs..... One of the fastest ways to lose money and your business is not to heed this warning.

Ok so how do you overcome this problem because of course you have to do the return journey (unless you intend moving everyday!)

You need to try and build into your trip a “return journey” job. Basically thismeans that when you have delivered your original package to say Manchester you don’t return to Oxford empty handed and down on your profit.

The way to do this is plan, plan and plan again. Hence earlier when I said if your hopping around from one thing to another you will end up broke....

When you have taken your original job on then you need to be arranging a “return journey”. Courier companies know that they will make more money if they offer work to couriers who are returning home at reduced rates than if they had to pay their drivers the full amount.

So in this example you would need to contact courier companies in Manchester to see if anyone has a backload they need dropping off in Oxford or nearby. Also you could contact courier companies on the route to Oxford so then you would have two jobs on your return journey with only the same outlay for fuel, insurance and your time.

This is how you make £350 a day. You plan your route and jobs with precision and organisation. YOU DO NOT just go driving off into the sunsetwilly nilly. You need to minimise your dead mileage. Period.

Another point I raised earlier in this book which is vital to this working is networking and having contacts. This is where this really comes into play as you will be able to pick up many, many return and extra jobs this way.Obviously when you first start your business you will not have as many contacts etc and will have to work at building these up. Again be proficient, punctual and honest and this will happen.

You can also contact your contacts when you start your original outbound journey to see if they have anything you could fit in with your schedule. This is called ‘doubling up’.

Most couriers do not succeed with this because they don’t plan, or they don’t network sufficiently.

As soon as you take an original job you should be planning and organising backloads and doubling-up opportunities. Heck most people are just too lazy to do this and run their business rather like a hobby!

Key Points To Remember

Ok it is imperative that your primary (original customer) gets their package first and on time. This goes without saying.

Also you should inform any customers of secondary packages that their package will be delivered second.

However, please use your common sense. If on a geographical basis it makes sense and time to deliver the second package first then you should. Also if you don’t need to tell the primary customer you will also be delivering another package – then don’t. You have to use your own judgement based on your knowledge of your customers, their needs and your committments.

What ever you do don’t overdo the “doubling up” or you may end up not delivering anything on time.

When you are first starting out as stated before you won’t have too many contacts so start this off on a small scale until you get the hang of it. By this I mean everyone gets their package on time and you have made

money.

You will get work and lots of it but only if you follow the tried and tested rules in this book. Advice can be given but its up to you what you do with it.

Hard work and perseverance to start with will pay dividends as will making “organised” your middle name.

Another way to find “doubling up” work and backloads is to check out websites that post jobs. You can then enter destination and date and see if anything matches.

Here are a few websites that offer this;

www.ukbackloads.com

This is a great site to help you maximise your opportunities. It matches goods to couriers. All you have to do is sign up, search for return loads, agree the terms and perform the jobs. There is a fee however these jobs are highly relevant to your time and destination schedule.

www.courierexchange.co.uk

This is an online marketplace for owner drivers, and couriers. This website also gives you access to all the loads posted on the system. You can see at a glance any return journeys that may be available on the day you require. Again this is up-to-date, correct and easy to access information.

How To Use Sat Navs For Free

Nokia is in the process of making its “turn-by-turn navigation” free on ten of its top smartphones. You will be able to get free Ovi maps which will incorporate turn-by-turn navigation for walking and driving. You can get 2Dand 3D mapping, load onto the smartphone either over the air or you can pre-load this with your Pc (so no network connection is needed and no charges will be incurred, especially when roaming).

http://www.courierexchange.co.uk/http://www.ukbackloads.com/

How To Avoid Penalty Points

Penalty points – don’t you just hate them?

There are many instances when you can actually challenge penalty points. Most people don’t as they think “thats it”. What you have to bear in mind are the following points;

There are many speed signs which are not lawful;

Sign did not have a light above it.Not made with the correct reflectivityThere were inadequate repeater signs along the roadThere were inadequate warning regarding the change of speed limit.

The key to challenging penalty points is not too take what the police say without first seeing the evidence.

People assume that the police follow all the correct procedures when say using a laser speed detector. The ACPO Code of Practice is produced by the Association of Chief Police Officers and states how the police should operate speed equipment, how the evidence should be documented and how the police should prepare a case for court. You will be surprised at how many police officers don’t know what it says. There is also manufacturers instructions for each device - this is always interesting whenthe police haven’t followed them...

So there you are. With the addition of the contact details that I’ve listed over the following pages – you now have all the information you need to become a highly-paid sameday courier driver.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this manual and are looking forward to your new career.... Happy Driving!

Courier Companies

Courier Companies In London

E. courier.co.ukCityside House40 Adler StreetLondonE1 1EE

City Sprint

Greater London Hire Limited (Head Office)GLH House12-18 High RoadLondon, N2 9PJPhone: (020) 7490 4222*Fax: (020) 8444 2026

Thames Valley Business Directory24, Buckhurst RoadFrimley GreenSurreyGU16 6LHTel: +44(0)1252 692893

Cyclone Car & Courier Company Ltd. Cyclone House, 27-29 Whitfield Street, Tottenham Court Road, London, W1T 2SE0845 456 8881

EliteHead OfficeElite WorldwideWest Town FarmFarm RoadTaplowBerksSL6 0PT087 087 30330

klickcouriers.com Suite 405, 1 Alie Street London E1 8DE

Tel : 0207 488 1012 (8:30 AM to 12:30 AM)Phone: 0207 078 9422(8:30 AM to 12:30 AM)Fax : 0207 900 3085Email : info @ klickcouriers.com

courierNet1 Kingfisher WayLondonNW10 8TF0208 830 1413Fax: 0208 810 4487Email: info@courierNet.co.uk

Unit 1 Quayside LodgeWilliam Morris WayLondon SW6 2UZ (0) 20 7736 1144

MPC Excel188 Westferry Road

LondonE14 3RY0207536 7170

Chase Couriers Limited 2 Haydons Road London SW19 1HLTelephone:020 8540 39933

Pony Express (West London) Phone: 0845 0000 560Dephna HouseNorth Acton Road Park Royal London NW10 6QH0845 0000 560

RJJ Worldwide Ltd4, Beta WayThorpe Industrial EstateThorpe, Egham TW20 8RE01784 477 444

City of london CourierUnit 'A' Digbyland Studios Digby RoadLondonE9 6HX 08450 600 666

Go-Betweens Couriers Ltd 38, Mount Pleasant, London, WC1X 0AN020 7278 1000

Global Express UK LimitedAirport House, Purley Way, Croydon, CR0 0XZ0800 298 8599

Greater London Couriers UKFinchley House, High Road, London N12 0BT020 8369 6903

Core Couriers02033 709240

CTS Courier ServicesB, 2, Inworth Street, London,SW11 3EP020 3302 4798

Crown Oak LogisticsCrownoak House, Mount Pleasant, West London, WC1X 0AN: 0800 335 7679

Speed LinkUnit 1, Avondale Business CentreAvondale RoadFleetHampshireGU51 3BH

0844 736 2805

Sameday UK LtdCourier House,Opal Street, LondonSE11 4HS0800 435740

TNT0800 100 600

PDQ Express Couriers Limited19, Brook Lane North, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 0PP020 8758 0800

Deadline Despatch Ltd Unit 19, Arundel Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB8 2SN: 0208 9630400

Vanguard Couriers19-21, Crawford Street, London, W1H 1PJ020 7258 1818

Sameday Dispatch Services0845 226 2994

Freight Movement UK Ltd 655, River Gardens, Feltham,

Middlesex TW14 0RB0845 127 2213

Ash LogisticsUnit 73, Wenta Business Centre, Watford,WD24 7ND01923 693 753

Rapid Link Transport Unit 10B, Europa Trading Estate, Erith, DA8 1QL01322 838852

D & H Transport Services Rodgers House, Kings Avenue, Clapham, London, SW4 8HF0800 7314766

CSM Logistics15-16 Rushworth Street,LondonSE1 0RB

Wallace Courier Services286 Muswell HillBroadwayLondon020 8352 3634

Speedlink Oxford Street0844 736 2805

Sameday Dispatch Services20 Vauxhall Bridge RoadLondonSW1V 2SA

Ash LogisticsUnit 73 Wenta Business CentreWatfordWD24 7ND

South West England

Dataline Express Couriers14, Clifton Down Road, Bristol, Avon BS8 4BF

Mail Boxes Etc 42, Triangle West, Bristol, Avon BS8 1ES: 0117 922 7671

BEE-KWIK (courier) 57, Old Tiverton Rd, Exeter, Devon EX4 6NG01392 341485

Mark Andrews Transport 17, Tucker Close, Plymouth, Devon

PL5 1AW01752 350960

Link Up UK85, Labrador Drive, Poole, Dorset BH15 1UY01202 669265

Bluedot Express LogisticsBerkeley House, Hunts Rise, Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 4TG01793 834901

E&C Distribution Southern Branch, Fossway Avenue, Gloucestershire, Moreton-In-Marsh, GL56 0EA01772 865214

Avon Express Couriers Unit 6, Broadway Court, Miles St, Bath, Avon BA2 4HX01225 571334

Deadline Distribution LtdOld Mill Industrial Estate, Exeter, EX5 4RJ01392 757029

LOGISTICS DIRECTAirport Business Centre,Thornbury Rd, Plymouth, Devon PL6 7PP0845 4799487

A-ONE COURIERS (Delivery Partners Ltd) Unit 7 King Charles Business Park, Old Newton Road, Heathfield, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6UT01626 834 004

Interlink Express Parcels Unit 4-5,Canvin Court, Bancombe Rd, Somerton Business Park, Somerton, Somerset TA11 6SB01458 273320

Sameday UK Courier House, North Road, Broadwell, Coleford, GL16 7DR0800 435740

1st Class Couriers 6, Paddock Close, Stapehill, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 7PA01202 876440

My Sameday Courier19, Berkeley Close, Downend, Bristol, Avon BS16 6UJ

DHL Express (UK) LtdLysander Rd, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol, Avon BS10 7DD0844 2480506

Sprinter CouriersUnit 9d, Wincombe Business Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9QJ01747 850276

Interlink Express Parcels Malago House, Bedminster Road, Bristol, Avon BS3 5PE

0117 971 4646

Interlink Express Parcels10, Surrey Close, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 9TY01305 782058

Sameday UK Courier House, Dean Close, Keynsham, Bristol, BS31 1RL0800 435740

Rapido CouriersUnit 3, Bankside, Love Lane, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1YG01285 238178

Angel White Couriers 228, Oaktree Crescent, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, Avon BS32 9AH07854 533274

A.M.L Couriers 3, Failand Walk, Sea Mills, Bristol,AvonBS9 2EU

0117 959 1791

Maypauls Couriers3, Maple Walk, Pucklechurch, Bristol, Avon BS16 9RL0800 2343637

Danwill CouriersWalls House, Aggs Lane, Gotherington, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL52 9EU01242 673 954

R.S Transport & Courier Service 82, Evering Avenue, Poole, Dorset BH12 4JH07728 430645

A1 Couriers (Cotswolds) LtdUnit A1B, Staverton Technology Park, Staverton, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 6TQ01452 857924

TNT0800 100 600

SMC Express Courier324, Lower Rd, Charlton All Saints, Salisbury,

Wiltshire SP5 4HQ0800 043 3475

Dataline Express Couriers The Citadel, Bath Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2AB0800 7311046

Torbay CouriersUnit P The Market Forum, Market Street, Torquay, DevonTQ1 3AE07778 440171

A & M Courier Service88 Belben Road, Poole, Dorset BH12 4PJ01202 906480

Interlink Express Unit 1A, Telford Road, Salisbury,Wiltshire SP2 7PH08444 773257

Interlink Express Parcels Homeland Farm, Three Legged Cross, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 6QZ01202 828691

Tamar Couriers Unit 13, Saltash Business Park, Forge Lane, Moorlands Trading Estate, Saltash, Cornwall PL1201752 848333

Interlink Express Parcels Unit 2, 23, Marsh Green Rd East, Marsh Barton Trading Estate, Exeter, Devon EX2 8PQ01392 270333

RNS LOGISTICS15, Coventry Close, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3UW07971 778294

SJC 24/7 Couriers Ltd 20, Dickson Way, Pewsham, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 3FW01249 471100

Alpha Express Dispatch 61, Poundsland, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon EX5 3HD01392 461705

Road Runners - Express Delivery ServiceUnit 23, Enterprise House, Cheney Manor, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 2YZ01793 978539

GLOUCESTER FREIGHT SERVICES Unit M2, Innsworth Technology Park, Innsworth Lane, Gloucester, Gloucestershire GL3 1DL01452 730643

M & M Parcel & Pallet Delivery109, Sterte Road, Poole, Dorset BH15 2AD07785 752818