Tag: delivery drivers

Banned Delivery Driver Used A Fake Licence To Keep Working

Posted on by News Desk

A delivery driver used a fake licence to continue working despite being disqualified from driving.

This case highlights the serious consequences of non-compliance with legal obligations as a driver.

Moreover, this case has far-reaching implications for the insurance industry.

Additionally, it raises questions about the potential risks and liabilities involved in hiring drivers with false documents.

Risks And Liabilities Involved In Hiring Drivers With False Documents

Consequently, employers who hire drivers with false documents can face legal penalties and reputational damage.

If an accident occurs involving a driver with a fake licence, the employer might face liability for any damages or injuries caused.

Employers must conduct proper background checks.

If they knowingly hire a driver with a fake licence, they could face criminal charges.

Undermining Public Safety On The Roads

Furthermore, the use of fake documents undermines the integrity of the licensing and identification system, which aims to ensure public safety on the roads.

Insurance companies rely on accurate and truthful information when assessing risks and setting premiums.

The use of fake licences or identity documents can lead to incorrect risk assessments.

This would result in higher premiums for all policyholders.

Implications For The Insurance Industry

Insurance fraud represents a significant problem in the industry.

Specifically, the use of fake licenses is just one example of the many ways in which fraud can occur.

Insurance companies are increasingly investing in technology and data analytics to detect and prevent fraud, but it remains a significant challenge.

The delivery driver’s case highlights the need for stronger enforcement measures to prevent the use of fake documents and ensure that drivers comply with legal obligations.

It also underscores the importance of employers conducting proper background checks and verifying the authenticity of documents before hiring drivers.

Conclusion

Consequently, employers who hire drivers with false documents can face legal penalties and reputational damage.

As a result, insurance companies may be forced to raise premiums to cover the increased risk of fraud.

Therefore, it is essential that all drivers understand the importance of complying with the law and taking responsibility for their actions on the road.

Similarly, employers must ensure they conduct thorough background checks.

This would avoid hiring drivers with false documents, which could put their business and the public at risk.

Delivery Driver Writes a Book

Posted on by News Desk

So, what did you get up to during the pandemic lockdowns?

Oh, nothing much, delivered groceries and wrote a book, you?

…is what we would be saying if our name was Paul Lang. 

So, who is Paul Lang anyway?

Ever heard of a book called From Hollywood to Cricklewood? It’s been out since last year and you can purchase it through Apple Books for a few quid.

It follows Paul Lang on his adventures of being a delivery driver during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Whilst this is an interesting fact anyway, what makes it even better is that Paul Lang used to be a documentary filmmaker. 

When his usual documentary work came to a halt due to lockdowns and restrictions, Paul decided to become a delivery driver to Tesco. He quickly discovered the job was far more eventful than most people realised. As his day-to-day progressed, his occasionally challenging journeys led him to meet an array of people. 

Paul’s documented experiences are sometimes wholesome, and sometimes difficult. Not what most people would expect happens in the day of a delivery driver.

Certainly a stark difference to what he used to do; filming in locations like Angola, Iraq and Dunkirk. Don’t let anyone say life as a delivery driver doesn’t come with its risks and joys – especially during a worldwide pandemic!

Share your experiences with us

So, who here has read Paul Lang’s book then? Whilst we maybe didn’t have as exciting jobs as Paul prior to becoming delivery drivers, perhaps you may have read about his experiences.

If so, what did you think? Are you able to relate to any of the events in his book? Did you experience similar situations during lockdowns? Meet anyone in a hazmat suit, or share a teacake with a lovely, old lady?

We’d love to hear all about it and perhaps share your stories. So please leave a comment and let us know.
In return, we can offer something valuable, too. How about some cheap insurance for that ol’ van of yours? With some of the cheapest van insurance deals around, you can get started by completing this form. It takes just 3 minutes!

…And Then He Woke Up, And It Was All A Dream!

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A refreshing break from the “fuel crisis” and “driver shortages” is called for, we think. So instead, we have a bit of a weird one for you this week. We want to know; what is the weirdest dream you have ever had?

Or, in the case of Paul Luttrell from Somerset, what is the weirdest dream you’ve had whilst in a coma?

Nightmares of delivering for Tesco

Now, we would never wish weird dreams on anyone, least of all a coma. But it is interesting to discuss what is experienced for those that do. 

For Paul Luttrell, who was hospitalised for cancer and Covid-19, it was being forced to work as a delivery driver. Not your average nightmare for most folk, eh? He dreamed of an ordeal where he drove a bedraggled-looking van about a town, making grocery deliveries for Tesco.

However, there was a vital twist that resulted in the dreams becoming nightmares. All the money that poor Paul earned from his deliveries ended up being taken from him and given to a London gang. The best (or worst) part? The leader was a dwarf who would torture him the old-fashioned way — with a defibrillator. Truly terrifying, yet bizarre stuff. We are sure Netflix would be interested in a feature film or television show.

Thankfully, despite the hellish hallucinations, Paul was miraculously discharged and is doing his best to work through his illnesses. You can read more about Paul’s experience of being in a coma, here. We wish you all the best, Paul!

When Dreams Become Reality

For many of us, the reality of being a supermarket delivery driver really is not that bad. Dare we say, some even enjoy it? Although, we guess that is dependent on whether or not you are being forced to hand your earnings over to the dwarf mafia. Hopefully, you’re not.

Our delivery drivers are still out there working hard as usual, despite Covid-19 restrictions having been lifted. There is still a lower number of customers actually going in-store to shop, so home deliveries are as popular as ever. 

So, delivery drivers, we’ve dedicated this post to you! We’ve also provided you with cheap van insurance quotes. Simply fill out this form, and you’ll be on your way to saving in just 3 minutes.

From Angry Amazon Bosses To Delivery Drivers Academies: This Week’s Top Stories

Posted on by News Desk

Delivery drivers….

So, we have two things to report on this week.

The first is actually from across the pond, involving an angry Amazon manager and his poor employee.

The second is related to the ongoing fear of driver shortages Britain is facing at the moment.

Stay Off My Lawn!

Something perhaps more fitting for an elderly gentleman to yell at some troublesome teens.

But no.

This unfortunate Amazon delivery driver received a whole lotta abuse from his own manager. 

You may have seen the video doing the rounds online.

It’s been published in most tabloid newspapers, so it isn’t too hard to find, but you may not want to watch it.

If delivery drivers didn’t have enough to put up with already, this really takes the biscuit. 

The manager claims his employee broke several rules whilst delivering the package to his loving boss.

So, naturally, he felt the best way to let his worker know about it, was to yell at him.

Obviously. 

The main issue the video captures is the berated delivery driver walking across his manager’s grass to deliver the package.

Clearly, a rookie mistake and one that warrants verbal abuse.

Said no one, ever. 

Have you ever experienced unreasonable behaviour from your manager as a delivery driver?

Let us know — we’d love to call them out on it.

Of course, we’d hope no one in Britain would be quite as ‘stern’ when talking to their delivery drivers.

It appears America is a whole other kettle of fish.

Considering A Career Change?

Next up.

If you feel you aren’t being treated well enough as a delivery driver, then why not consider becoming a lorry driver?

With all the driver shortages, Brexit, Covid-19, and just general chaos and hoo-ha that’s hit Britain lately.

Selco is helping with the panic. 

They’ve decided to launch an academy for lorry drivers, encouraging van drivers to become HGV drivers instead.

They’ve also recently increased their pay.

Not too shabby, eh?

So, what do you reckon?

Career change to rid yourself of the annoying boss?

We’d hope not, especially in the UK.

So until then, and as usual, we’ve got your back with the cheapest van insurance quotes around.

You’re welcome.

Has The Driver Shortages Affected You?

Posted on by News Desk

If you haven’t heard about the driver shortages, you’re likely not from the UK.

Otherwise, you must be living under a rock.

Remember this post we made a few weeks ago about tests for van and lorry drivers being made easier?

This was because the UK was facing the severe issue of a lack of delivery drivers — from vans to HGV drivers.

The reasons are numerous.

The driver shortages stem from Brexit, with Covid-19 making things much worse.

It’s like a tornado stirring the pot.

If there wasn’t a shortage already, ‘pingdemic’, as it has been affectionately named, has unfortunately caused further chaos.

This is because drivers are being pinged left, right and centre, and being told to self-isolate by the ‘track and trace’ app. 

As you can imagine, the consequences have been dire.

Many newsagents, including the chain NISA, have had to drive their vans to pick up supplies.

This is due to severe staff shortages among their suppliers.

This is time and effort spent on top of maintaining and managing their store branches and dealing with staff off work themselves, too. 

There are calls for the government to allow drivers who have been vaccinated (with both jabs) to skip the isolation period.

This is as long as they continue to test, and the results are negative.

At the moment, this is due to come into force from the 16th of August, but things could change — sooner or be pushed to later.

So, everything is up in the air, and everyone is panicking.

Help?

We think so.

What do you think?

Has the media blown this out of proportion, or is this something that needs further immediate attention?

Have you been affected directly by the driver shortages?

The struggling supermarkets certainly show us how serious this all this.

Let us know your thoughts! 

For any new drivers needing cheap van insurance, we’re always here for you.

All you have to do is complete this form, and be welcomed into a world of cheap van insurance providers, that you won’t find elsewhere.

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There’s Another Battle: Now It’s Royal Mail Versus Amazon.

Posted on by News Desk

Perhaps not quite the battle of the century like motorists versus e-scooters. but this one’s still worth mentioning. 

Especially if you’re a delivery driver. Except, we guess it’s not really a war. To put it simply, Royal Mail is making an attempt to win customers over from Amazon by introducing a new scheme offering timed delivery slots.

You might be one of the customers who choose to shop with Amazon due to their brilliant delivery options. Same-day delivery? Yes, please! Perhaps you’re one of the van drivers who end up darting about all over the place, in an attempt to get the deliveries in on time.

Now, if you’re working for Royal Mail, you may find yourself racing against time, just like Amazon drivers.

Customers will be offered a choice from a 3-tier system:

  • You have your bottom tier: this is where Royal Mail get to decide when to deliver your parcel
  • There’s got to be a middle tier: the customer will pick a delivery day, along with where the parcel should be left
  • And of course, the equivalent to Tesco’s Finest. You have the top tier: the customer gets to pick the day PLUS a delivery time

Better slap your seatbelts on, because we anticipate this will be a popular scheme for Brits. Of course, we can’t know for certain what the pricing costs will be like just yet. This will also inevitably depend on the size of the parcel, and/or how many have been ordered. Just like Amazon, it’s safe to assume a top-tier delivery option will result in a higher cost. 

Will customers be willing to switch? 

A recent survey from a popular newspaper saw results that suggested that consumers had more trust in Amazon deliveries than that of Royal Mail. On-time deliveries are naturally important to customers, and it seems Royal Mail doesn’t seem to have a good track record. 

With the significant increase in e-commerce sales due to Covid-19, many delivery companies have found themselves hiring more and more van drivers. Were you one of them? How do you feel about these additional delivery options? Perhaps they make no difference to you at all, or maybe you’re sick of racing from house to house. 

Until the new tiers launch, we can’t be sure. What we are sure of is cheap van insurance. See just how cheap we’re talking by simply filling out the form right here.

Long Drives? Back Pain? Here’s Some Advice.

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Long Drives and Back Pain

How to Stay Comfortable On The Road

We’ve all felt the burn of a long drive.

Whether it’s in a shiny new van or a reliable old one, those hours take a toll.

Sitting in the same position for hours isn’t easy.

And, let’s be honest, back pain doesn’t care about age.

But here’s some good news.

Simon Reynolds, a former driver performance manager at Formula One McLaren,

knows a thing or two about avoiding back pain.

Now a sports therapist, Reynolds has shared his best tips to help you stay comfortable on those long drives.

Start With Seat Ergonomics

Before you even step into your vehicle, take a moment for seat adjustments.

Why?

Preventing back and neck pain begins with full visibility of the road and easy mirror access.

Check your mirrors—they should require just a simple, comfortable glance.

Recline For Spinal Support

Next, consider reclining your seat back just enough to support your spine.

An unsupported head leads to tension, and an unsupported upper spine only adds to the discomfort.

Above all, remember lumbar support.

Without it, the pelvis can shift backward, putting stress on your lower back over time.

Choose The Right Seat Cushion

Did you know that seat cushions come in various shapes and padding options?

Surprisingly, many car seats don’t provide adequate lower back support.

By adding a thin cushion, however, you can help maintain the natural curve in your lower back.

This small adjustment may not only reduce discomfort but also help prevent medical issues over time.

Perfect Your Leg Position

Leg positioning is crucial.

The seat should support your legs without forcing them to stretch too far.

Contrary to popular belief, your leg shouldn’t be fully outstretched when pressing the pedal.

Instead, aim for a slight bend in your leg when braking or accelerating.

And keep your bottom snug against the driver’s seat.

Find Your Best Steering Position

For optimal steering, keep your elbows slightly bent.

But lock your shoulders back against the seat.

If this feels off, adjust the steering wheel height for a more natural fit.

Take Regular Breaks For Physical And Mental Health

The most important tip?

Take breaks.

Ideally, stop every hour for a quick stretch or a short walk.

These breaks help prevent aches and keep your body in good shape for the road ahead.

With these tips, you’re set for a more comfortable, healthier drive.

So, will you be trying these tips?

Whether it’s in your comfy new van or an old banger, we hope it helps you in some way.

At least you can rest easy and search for cheap van insurance deals with us, without breaking the bank (or, your back).

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

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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.

Eat out to help out – if you can find parking

Posted on by News Desk

Good news for van drivers up and down the country today, with the Government’s new ‘eat out to help out’ incentive, meaning British workers can take advantage of cut-price meals up and down the country, including many popular takeaways. The scheme which runs Monday to Wednesday through August means that lunches can be on Boris and Rishi for our UK van drivers! To find out which eateries near you are offering the deal, check the website which will give you all results within a five mile radius. We suggest everyone takes advantage of the scheme while it’s on offer, and put a few quid back in your pocket whilst helping the service industry get back on its feet. 

You’ll remember a few weeks ago we were bemoaning the fact that local councils are going gung-ho through town centres, deciding arbitrarily to pedestrianize roads and close off parts of towns to traffic. Well, it seems this is happening across the country, not just in our own little local enclave. Where we are, the latest Highways England/Local council have proposed suspending all parking bays in the centre of town to be able to make those spaces pedestrianised to enable social distancing. Which is great (well, to some, the local cycle groups seem to be lobbying hard for it), but the problem is that not only does that stop local businesses from being able to welcome customers who are able to pop in and visit (our town centre is on a very steep hill, which would make walking to shops impossible for elderly customers), but it also places additional pressure on the limited number of public car parks in the vicinity, which are overstretched as it is. 

This also of course, has a knock-on effect for delivery drivers. Where are they supposed to park to make deliveries, especially those for large goods or bulky items which can’t be lugged up hills from miles away? We don’t know how you guys are supposed to deal with that. And of course, that has a knock-on effect on the shopkeepers too, who need those deliveries to be able to keep trading in what are already challenging times. And that’s before we take a moment to consider those of you who support local delis and sandwich shops by popping in to grab lunch from them. You’re not going to do it if you need to park miles away. 

It seems this is a countrywide issue, with latest reports suggesting that local councils who do impose these measures without public consultation could be liable to legal action as a result. Good! It’s all well and good being able to want to cycle more freely and we understand the environmental benefits that brings, but the reality is that many towns and cities in the UK were created many hundreds of years ago and the way they are built simply doesn’t support that. 

There also appears to be another knock-on effect of these closures creating pinch points, which are increasing pollution as a result of added congestion. Emergency services are also reporting delays in being able to attend emergencies as a result of the congestion. 

If these things are happening in your area, please do take a moment to email your local council or highways agency and make a complaint. Making a living as a delivery driver or shopkeeper right now is hard enough – let’s all try and work together to stop the council do-gooders from making it even harder. 

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