Tag: delivery driver

DPD CEO Dismissed Amid Controversy: What It Means for Van Drivers

Posted on by News Desk

Chief Executive Of DPD Waves Goodbye

But if you’re a van driver for DPD, you may be caught off guard by the latest news about the company.

This week, Dwain McDonald, the CEO of DPD, has reportedly been dismissed.

In his place, Yves Delmas is stepping in temporarily until a permanent replacement is found.

Why was McDonald let go?

An internal investigation claims his departure is due to “personal conduct reasons.”

Shocking News For DPD Staff

McDonald has held the chief executive role since 2008.

For many at DPD, the news came as a complete shock.

They were informed by an email from Yves Delmas.

The message stated McDonald’s departure was effective immediately but offered no further explanation.

McDonald’s Long Tenure With DPD

Though he’s leaving, McDonald’s career at DPD has been substantial.

He joined the company back when they still called it Parceline.

At just 22, he started as a sales executive and worked his way up.

Over the years, McDonald earned a £1 million annual salary, a sign of his loyalty to DPD.

Past Controversy Resurfaces

In 2018, McDonald faced scrutiny when a recording surfaced.

In the recording, he admitted to breaking the law.

He claimed he used his mobile phone to photograph a DPD van while driving on the motorway.

For a CEO of a delivery firm, this raised eyebrows.

The Covid-19 Surge In Demand

As the pandemic unfolded, demand for delivery services skyrocketed.

Many Brits, facing layoffs or redundancy, applied for delivery driver roles.

With a surge in online shopping, DPD promised to add 6,000 more delivery drivers to keep up.

DPD: A Delivery Giant In The UK

Did you know you’re part of one of Europe’s largest delivery firms if you’re a driver at DPD?

DPD has 68 locations across the UK.

Each year, it delivers over 250 million packages for some of the biggest retail brands.

The company’s scale is immense, and so are the expectations.

As DPD moves forward, the search for a new leader begins.

DPD uses over 8,000 delivery vehicles, so is your van one of the 8,000 needing cheaper van insurance?

Look no further.

You’re in the right place.

Crucial Tips Every Van Driver Needs To Stay Safe And Protected

Posted on by News Desk

The Last Year: A Test Of Resilience

For any driver, these last few months have been challenging.

In truth, this entire past year has been nothing short of a relentless test.

Moreover, for any van driver, the stakes have been even higher.

Working tirelessly, they’ve continued through the pandemic, facing risks head-on.

Essential Workers On The Move

With industries shutting down, van drivers kept going.

Battling brutal weather, they ensured goods and parcels still arrived.

Without their dedication, many, in fact, would have struggled.

Consider this:

As people grew reluctant to leave home, they increasingly relied on deliveries.

These packages brought not only joy and comfort but, at times, even a sense of sanity.

You’re Keeping The Nation Going

I’ll admit it:

I ordered my share of random items.

From candles to chessboards to chilli oil, they delivered.

You brought us everything.

Thank you.

And let’s be clear:

You deserve immense appreciation.

We see you. We salute you.

Stay Safe – Crime Is On The Rise

Here’s something to remember:

Stay vigilant.

Stay safe.

Crime targeting van drivers is on the rise.

The risk is real.

Just last weekend, a driver in Hereford had his van stolen mid-delivery.

Van Theft On the Rise: What You Need To Know

Luckily, he was unharmed.

But think about that:

In seconds, his vehicle vanished.

Later, it was found abandoned in a field, engine still running.

It’s happening more often.

Police Warnings For Delivery Drivers

Since lockdown began, police have issued warnings:

Delivery drivers face heightened risks.

Especially around the holidays, theft spiked.

Right before Christmas, a van loaded with Amazon packages was stolen.

Protect Yourself And Stay Alert

Drivers, couriers, postal workers—they’re on the front lines.

They’re vulnerable.

It’s essential they stay alert.

Members of the public must also help keep them safe.

Final Reminder: Check Your Insurance

So, to all van drivers:

First and foremost, protect yourself.

Additionally, stay cautious.

Most importantly, follow police advice.

One more crucial reminder:

Ensure your insurance is up-to-date.

If the worst should happen, having the right coverage is vital.

After all, we’re here to help with that.

It’s the least we can do, given everything you do to keep us moving forward.

Adding some flex to van insurance

Posted on by News Desk

It’s a dog eat dog world out there and latest news shows that, with an uncertain future ahead of us all, and no knowing if we will be locked down once more any time soon, it seems that more people are turning to van driving as their career of choice.

Latest news suggests that van insurance policy numbers are on the rise, with more people looking for job certainty and, faced with another potential lockdown, many have decided that working as a delivery driver is the career for them.

And we can’t blame anyone. While the world ground to a halt earlier this year, one of the careers that endured was that of delivery driver. Likewise, the building trades appeared largely unaffected, with more people deciding to spend their holiday savings on home improvements instead. So it’s fair to assume that should we face another national lockdown, that those trades will be the ones that carry on as before. 

In fact, there was a 52% increase in requests for van driver insurance quotes between April and June of this year as lockdown started to ease up. 

Van driver insurance companies have begun to respond to this with improved, more flexible van insurance policies becoming available, from single, by the day cover, to monthly policies that can be used as and when people need it. We welcome this, as with other changes in the van insurance world, to a more flexible approach that can mix and match with people’s needs. The car insurance world recently saw a new type of policy come on the market, where people pay to unsure by miles driven and we suspect that some bright spark won’t be far behind doing something similar for the van drivers of the UK soon. With such uncertainty of where we are headed as a nation this winter, we can imagine some people will be very happy to see this kind of insurance policy around. 

Another Lockdown Looms?

Posted on by News Desk

Well, today we find ourselves – van drivers and non-van drivers alike, on a precipice. While we don’t mean to come over all prime minister on you all, it appears that today or tomorrow might see the UK go back into some form of lockdown which may be two weeks, may be longer. Either way, it’s going to be pretty crappy news for van drivers. 

A short lockdown will see many things once again grind to a halt – from beauty salons to builders’ merchants, shops to suppliers, the only upside for those who drive vans is going to be food delivery drivers once more, we suspect. Which kind of sucks. 

Of course, we can speculate as much as we want, we don’t know and to be honest, it doesn’t really feel like those in power have much of a clue, either. All this talk of ‘circuit breaks’ and new laws imposed… who knows? 

While it appears that much of the building industry is enjoying something of a renaissance as those in power chase their tails and those who were off on holiday decide instead to spend a little on some DIY, the rest of the UK is left in limbo, with furlough due to end, which will inevitably lead to some job losses and another lockdown could see many local businesses collapse, forced to close their doors once and for all. All of which will inevitably affect van drivers of the UK in some way shape or form.

If you did skip out on MOT-ing your van during lockdown, we do suggest doing it now, while you can, because who knows if there could be another blip which means that those without MOTS who can’t then get one as a result of a lockdown could find themselves up the creek without a paddle. 

Of course, we will know by this time next week what is going on (perhaps, maybe… maybe not), but for the self-employed and small business people like the van drivers of the UK, it could indeed by the apocryphal winter of discontent. 

Beware! Dangerous drivers!

Posted on by News Desk

If you’re out on the road this week, keep an eye out. What for? Those fresh-out-of-lockdown drivers who have forgotten how to actually drive. 

Up to a fifth of motorists say that they have struggled to get to grips with gearing back behind the wheel after months of staying home in lockdown.

Many car owners have driven just 90 miles (some fewer than 25 miles) while restrictions have been in place, meaning they are considerably out of proactive and an even greater liability to van drivers of the UK, who never stopped motoring through the crisis. 

This is bad news for everyone, with the added possibility of un-roadworthy vehicles out there, thanks the waiving of the MOT scheme. 

In other news, there are a number of initiatives underway that are aiming to boost the high street when it reopens, but that may have huge impacts for van delivery drivers. Many high streets are calling for pedestrianised streets, restrictions in speed limits and no-go zones for vehicles, all in a bid to drive foot traffic back to shops when the time comes for them to reopen, with sufficient space for social distancing outdoors. What this does mean, where it goes ahead is little to no van parking, restrictions on out-of-hours delivery times and slower deliveries, as a result of speed restrictions. 

Thankfully, some traders are banding together to object to these well-meaning plans, seeing not just the issues for white van men, but for those who are unable to walk far, or those who need to collect or drop off goods by car. If they do happen, you can kiss goodbye to the quick drop off on the High Street that you know and love. Fingers crossed that people see that these well-meaning ideas will kill the high street, not bolster it.

As always, stay safe out there.

White Van Men – DON’T Wear These On Your Feet…

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Here at CVI we speak directly to white van men and give them Cheap Van Insurance, but are we about to give them fashion tips?

Not quite. Although we do have an important warning about what you should never wear on your feet while driving your white van.

You can be cruising down the lane without a care in the world…off to your next job or to make a delivery…when those all too familiar flashy blue lights will be in your rear view mirror.

So you pull over and then watch the “Bobby” as he or she approaches your van.

Then you wind down your window, and wait for the “Boy in Blue” to speak…

But instead of asking for your drivers license or proof of insurance, they ask…

To see your shoes!

This comes on the back of a new Police crackdown where they are stopping drivers and checking their footwear, and if found to be wearing the wrong kind of footwear, then drivers could be slapped with a £5000 fine.

Yes you read that right. And even worse, our insider intelligence suggests that Police are targeting white van men as a main priority.

If Police pull you over and find you wearing Cowboy Boots, Gladiator Sandals, Wellington Boots, or Stiletto Heels…

Then you are going to find yourself in big trouble.

Police are also looking for white van men who wear flip flops, knee and thigh high boots, and of course, workmen boots.

Basically, any kind of footwear that has a thick and heavy tread. Because it leaves you without sufficient control of the pedals.

At the end of the day, you wouldn’t try and play the piano in Cowboy Boots, would you…so why are you trying to drive your white van in them? Our advice is to stop right now. For your own safety and to protect yourself from a Police fine.

And if you refuse to take off your cowboy boots, wellingtons or workmen boots?

Then…

“Back up requested,” says the Police officer in their radio mike.

In no time at all there will be 4 or 5 Police cars screeching to a halt and surrounding your white van, and then, well, I think we all know what will happen then. It will be another “Summer of Rage” incident that we have become all to familiar with here on the CVI Blog.

So white van men of Britain…take 3 minutes to check your shoes, and then take another 3 minutes to compare van insurance here at The Nations Favourite.

Van Drivers Who Passed Their Test After 1996 – READ THIS

Posted on by News Desk

Are you a van driver who passed your driving test on or after the 1st January 1997. If so, then you MUST read this important message.

Ignore this and you could lose your license, get a fine…and even end up behind bars at her Majesty’s pleasure.

Now that I have your attention allow me to tell you exactly what this is all about.

Put simply, anyone who passed their driving test after 1996 is limited to driving vehicles that weigh up to 3500kg when fully loaded. This includes the weight of the driver as well.

If you are a tradesperson or courier driver…then its very easy to go over this 3500kg limit, especially when your van is loaded with tools or parcels.

Also, if you have been hitting the big macs or pizza hut hard recently, then it might be a good idea to eat a salad and hit the gym…hard.

Most van drivers either don’t know about this rule or wrongly assume if the weight of their van is below 3500kg then everything is hunky dory.

For example, the average Ford Transit which is very popular on our UK roads is around 2000kg soaking wet.

However, when you consider that two people can be sitting in the front and there is an assortment of heavy tools in the back…then it’s easy to see why so many van drivers are unwittingly breaking the law.

So are the cops cruising around and looking to bust you for being overweight? They might be, although most of the time they come across your crime by accident.

Many van drivers might be involved in a small fender bender and then the cops show up on the scene.

Nobody is at fault, and after both parties have exchanged details everybody is ready to leave…when…”what is the weight of your van, sir?”

The cops have a nose for this kind of thing, and busting you for being overweight is the cherry on top for them.

Hauling hardened criminals into jail…that is their bread and butter.

Busting overweight van drivers…that is their cherry.

Don’t let the cops pop your cherry. Visit a local weighbridge and make sure you are under the 3500kg limit.

If you regularly driver over the limit then you need to take additional driving tests to become legal.

Oh…and while you are at it you might as well visit our 3 minute form here at Cheap Van Insurance.

Thousands of van drivers make us their number 1 comparison website to get the best quotes. Find out for yourself why many white van men, tradespeople, delivery drivers and LCV owners call us “The Nations Favourite.”

Just go to the top of the page and click on “Get a Quote.”

The White Van Dog

Posted on by News Desk

You’ve heard of the Pink Panther, Green Hornet and Red Dragon…now get ready for the White Van Dog.

A French Mastiff named Roxy to be exact, who currently resides in our nations capital, London.

As the story goes, Roxy travels in a white van with her owner Nicky Morris on a daily basis. He is a delivery driver, who is always busy delivering parcels all around London, day in and day out.

Roxy is right there by his side, with her seatbelt on, keeping Nicky company and guarding the van while he makes a delivery to Mr Smith or Mrs Jones.

As regular readers of the CVI blog will be well aware…van crime is a national sport these days, which means having a bit of “protection” in the van is always a good idea.

As well as being a thief repellent – get this…Roxy has also perfected…

The white van man pose!

That’s right. Pictures confirm that Roxy the French Mastiff dog does a really good impression of a white van man, especially when leaning out of the window and giving you a stare.

Fortunately Roxy doesn’t follow up the impression with swear words and all out rage. She is a very chilled out dog, even if she does enjoy imitating the white van man.

Of course, the white van man reputation is very much exaggerated. If you ask me they are among the calmest and safest drivers on the road. That’s a fact.

Roxy, The White Van Dog, has built up her very own social media following with her impressions and impersonations.

Do you know what else? I reckon our favourite White Van Dog would also be a good match for CVI.

“Which one do you prefer…1 bark for those Meerkats…or 2 barks for CVI?”

“Woof Woof!”

The Nations Favourite White Van Dog and The Nations Favourite Van Insurance Comparison Website…the perfect match.

Then, as soon as 40 quotes come through from trusted companies and brokers…

“Are these the best quotes you have ever seen?”

“Woof Woof Woof Woof!”

“Good girl. Time for a treat!!”

According to Nicky, The White Van Dog is -”not just a pet, she is a celebrity courier, who drives around London delivering parcels to people. She has been with us for seven years, since she was a puppy.”

Here at CVI we raise our glasses to the White Van Dog. Long may you be delivering parcels in our nations capital and keeping up the good reputation of white van owners around the country.

White Van Man – We Can’t Live (If Living is Without You)

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Who can forget Mariah Carey and her classic song – Can’t Live (If Living is Without You) – but was she singing about white van men? Maybe…

If not, then her song could definitely be used as the “anthem” for the results of a new survey, which quite clearly shows that half of UK consumers could not do without white van drivers.

In every street of the UK, and in every town and city…the people of this great nation should join hands and sing together, in perfect harmony, for the white van men…”We can’t live (if living is without you.)”

In my opinion this is something that van van drivers need to hear right now, especially after all of the negative press they have received over the last 12 months.

Yes, even us here at CVI (The Nations Favourite), even us…we have been a part of that negativity with our blog posts about the exploits of white van owners.

Did we go too far? Maybe. Should our news reporter be fired? Perhaps. But, despite all of this negative attention these very same white van men continue to flock here in their droves. Do you know why? Cheap Van Insurance, that is why.

At the end of the day, getting cheap insurance for white vans is their bread and butter, so to speak, and where else can they find that but right here? Nowhere. This is the number one place to get those cheap quotes.

Do you know what else? Here at CVI we have decided to change our tone towards those hard working white van drivers. Our reporter has been called into the head office and been given a stern telling off. No more stories of white van drivers being “unchained” and “unleashed” we told him.

So Cheap Van Insurance is now a safe haven for white van men. You can come here on a weekly basis and expect us to sing your praises, just like this new survey of UK consumers did.

In that survey, it was revealed that 50% of people in our country have benefited from white van drivers in the last 24 hours, whether it be from having a product delivered or getting something fixed by a tradesperson.

The survey came to the conclusion that 9 out of 10 Brits would be in a worse position if it wasn’t for white van drivers.

Even the SMMT, AKA, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders…even they tipped their hats to the white van owners of our nation after hearing about the survey

It wouldn’t surprise me if the people of our nation get together to sing more songs for the men and women that drive white vans.

How about another song from a certain Mariah Carey? “And then a hero comes along, With the strength to carry on.”

Yes that’s right. “HERO” is the one word everybody should use when talking about white van owners from now on.

Then, once we have stopped singing, everybody here at CVI headquarters will go back to the office and put the “OPEN” sign on the front door once again.

“Open for business,” we will shout, and with that, CVI is the number 1 website for white van owners who want cheap prices.

Delivery Driver Robbed, Sacked and Charged

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Becoming a delivery driver has become quite popular in this day and age. Many people have vans, and they are making money with them it seems.

Amazon are one such company who are always on the lookout for self employed courier drivers. Millions of packages are delivered every day and they don’t deliver themselves now, do they.

It is the courier drivers around the nation who are busy going from door to door and making sure Mr Jones and Mrs Smith get the items they ordered. On time and in one piece.

One courier driver didn’t have that much luck though, on this particular day not so long ago which seemed just like an ordinary day…until, one of those criminal gangs came out of nowhere and proceeded to rob him of all 62 parcels that were in his van that day.

Make no mistake about it, these criminal gangs are organised and efficient. One minute they are not there, and then they are there, and in no time at all they are gone…with the loot of course.

This courier driver, through no fault of his own had been stripped of the main assets of his van, but at least he managed to stop his van being stolen as well.

However, after reporting back to base the delivery driver found his superiors not very sympathetic at all, to the point where they were actually pointing the finger of blame directly at him.

That’s right. Gone are the days of being an innocent victim of crime. It appears we are now in the days where even if you are stolen from then you are to blame.

At this point it is probably worth mentioning that although this courier driver was delivering parcels for Amazon, it was actually another company he was getting the work from. Kind of like a sub contracting deal no doubt.

Anyway, what proceeded to happen was that after being robbed, the courier driver then had the second blow of the day…he was sacked. This company did not want any parcels going missing, and if they did, well, you get your P45 right away.

Not only that, but about a week later this driver got a text from the company saying that he was being charged for the stolen packages and that it would come directly out of his wages.

Not only was this guy robbed, but he was also sacked and charged, and is now probably in a position where he is considering a career change.

That is why I always advise any courier driver…make sure you know exactly what happens if you are robbed while on the job.

Obviously in this story the company hiring the driver didn’t offer him courier insurance as part of the job, which means he should have sorted it out himself.

Anyone can compare courier insurance right here at the nations favourite van insurance website. All you need to do is fill in the simple 3 minute form and then get quotes from around 40 companies.

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Complete your quick and easy quote

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