Welcome to a Week in the Life of a Van Driver

If, like us, you’re sick of the ‘White Van Man’ outdated stereotypes and would like to read something about modern van drivers, then this post is dedicated to you, sir or madam.

A survey has resurfaced this week, so it’s doing the rounds across the internet. We thought it would be a great way to, once again, talk about the great things our van drivers are currently all about and have to put up with.

What does the typical week of a van driver entail?

Obviously, these statistics are all averages, but you might be shocked to learn the following:

  • 13.5 hours are spent on the road
  • A whopping £71 goes towards fuel costs
  • 14 hot drinks to keep the day rolling (10% prefer green tea)
  • At least 3 lunchtimes will be taken in the van
  • Nearly an hour stuck in traffic

It’s no surprise that 3 in 5 van drivers feel like they may as well live in their vans, and 1 in 4 sometimes have a nap in them. 

What about a year in the life of a van driver?

Once again, these are on average, but they may hit home for a lot of you. A van driver will:

  • Cover a colossal 16,000 miles
  • Enjoy (we use this word loosely) 47 hours worth of traffic 
  • Feast on at least 156 lunches (in the seat of their vans)

Let’s leave the stereotypes behind…

These further facts were too good to ignore, so we felt they were also worth a mention. When you think of a van driver, people are quick to picture your classic ‘white van man’.

However, your modern van drivers are quite the opposite. Take a look at these statistics:

  • 4 out of 10 van drivers who took the survey, were female
  • 31% claim to be vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian to benefit the environment
  • 40% of van drivers are considering an electric van for their next purchase

If you’d like to take a gander at the study from Lombard in more depth, you can view it here. There is further information about other subjects that were in the poll. It’s a must if you’re keen to help the environment, too.

If you do take the leap to an electric van (or even if you don’t), you can view our cheap van insurance prices, by completing this quick and easy form.

What Happens When You Text A Tradesman At Midnight?

When Is It OK To Message A Tradesman?

Would you message a tradesman at 12:15am?

A recent news story sparked a lively debate here at Cheap Van Insurance HQ.

It all started when a woman named Evandra sent a late-night text to a carpet fitter.

Specifically, she messaged him at 12:15am.

She simply asked for a quote.

However, the fitter wasn’t impressed.

He replied quickly—and bluntly.

Naturally, this raised eyebrows and questions in equal measure.

Is A Tradesman Ever Really “Off Duty”?

If you advertise online and share your number, are you expected to respond at all hours?

On one hand, some say yes. Business is business, after all.

However, others argue that everyone deserves time to rest.

After all, running a small business doesn’t mean you’re available 24/7.

So, where’s the line?

Was The Late-Night Message To A Tradesman Too Much?

Many people felt that if she had emailed, it wouldn’t have mattered.

In contrast, texting felt more intrusive.

It was late.

Moreover, she sent a direct message, not a passive query.

Some believed it crossed a boundary of basic privacy.

Still, others disagreed.

They felt a text was fair game—as long as she didn’t expect an immediate reply.

In their view, the real issue was how the fitter reacted, not the timing of the message.

Phones, Families, And Flexibility

Let’s not forget—some people can’t switch their phones off at night.

For example, parents or carers may need to stay connected in case of emergencies.

Even so, many people do put their phones on silent.

Therefore, what feels reasonable to one person may feel disruptive to another.

As a result, it’s tricky to say whether her message was truly inconsiderate.

The Always-On Culture: A Modern Dilemma

In today’s world, we’re used to sending messages at all hours.

Before bed, we fire off emails, book appointments, and chase things up.

However, just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.

After all, being reachable 24/7 comes at a cost.

Especially for sole traders who don’t have a team to lean on.

Respecting boundaries matters—now more than ever.

The Office Vote: A Split Decision

At Cheap Van Insurance, we took a poll.

Interestingly, 60% said she was out of line.

The remaining 40% disagreed.

Clearly, opinions are divided.

This story might seem small, but it taps into something bigger.

Where do we draw the line between accessibility and overstepping?

Our Advice: Boundaries Benefit Everyone

If you’re a tradesperson:

Invest in a separate work phone.

Then, switch it off after hours and enjoy your downtime.

Clients can wait till morning.

If you’re a customer:

Be mindful.

Just because someone shares their number doesn’t mean they’re available 24/7.

In short, a little respect goes a long way.

After all, small businesses are run by real people—not robots.

 

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