Author: News Desk

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.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

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Another week, another series of trials and tribulations for van drivers up and down the UK. As lockdown slowly eases, the roads are starting to return to normal and, with more traffic on the road, for you, the trusty van drivers of the UK, the stresses and strains of life on the road are also on the up.

The good news is that with more non-essential shops scheduled to reopen in the coming weeks, there should be more work out there for everyone and even more, when, all being well, more of the rest of the country opens up again in early July. 

But, with the lack of traffic on the road you have been used to, there have also been more and more stories in the press of van drivers behaving badly. From hit and runs, to intoxicated drivers, and speeding and dangerous driving, it appears the quieter roads have had a bad effect on some of you. And let’s not forget, anything stupid in your van and you’re not just risking your license, but also your career too. 

Meanwhile over in Ireland, Yodel have dealt a blow to their delivery drivers, who have been banned from taking their vans home overnight, forcing many drivers to need to use public transport to get home at night from their depots. At a time when nobody wants to be on public transport unless they absolutely have to, the timing and tone-deafness to what is going on in the world couldn’t have come at a worse time. 

On the upside, over in London, some savvy business owners have found the best use ever for a white van, turning one into a mobile pub on wheels. The ‘tactical beer response unit’ is on the streets of East London, the back of the van full of kegs of their craft beers, serving customers pint glasses of the good stuff at their doorstep. As one of his customers commented – ‘not all heroes wear capes.’ And who doesn’t miss a pint outdoors in this weather?

And on that note, safe driving. 

Van Insurance Is Cheaper Than Ever

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Yes, more good news this week for our van driving men and women of the UK. We’re over all this doom and gloom, let’s find some reasons to be cheerful. 

And one more bit of good news to follow from last week is the news that van insurance is now cheaper than ever. Well, not ‘ever,’ but it is now the cheapest it’s been in over four years.  Since February, car and van insurance premiums have fallen an average of £56. 

This is as a result of fewer cars on the road, and, fewer accidents as a result. This means that the pay-outs that insurance companies are making has dropped, and so they are able to reduce the price of your premiums. In fact, one or two of the insurers have even paid out to their customers in the form of a rebate because there has been such a dip in claims made, making it worth a phone call to your van insurer to ask what they are doing – after all, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. It’s also worth checking to see if your annual mileage can be reduced if you’ve been of the road at all these past few months, which could also save you money.

In other news, if you are in the trades and anticipating getting back to work in the next few weeks, be aware about new coronavirus restrictions on who you can have in your van. Yes, it’s now illegal for there to be anyone in the middle seat of your van, unless you are all members of the same household, in which case, you can fill your boots and your van with as many as you please. If your van is a two-seater, there’s only the driver allowed to be in it. And if you do have back seats, the second person needs to be sitting there, on the passenger side. So, getting everyone on site might become a bit of a nightmare.

Whatever you are doing, stay safe and keep at it, our UK van driver heroes. 

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

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How is everyone this week? Whether you’re currently locked down or out on the road, rest assured we are here, cheering you on, whatever is happening in the world. Week nine of lockdown may be sending us slightly stir crazy, but it won’t stop us in our quest to bring you, our trusty van drivers of the UK, the latest news and opinions in the van driving world.

Let’s start with some good news – if some of you have lost your jobs as a result of COVID-19, there appears to be a marked increase this week of companies seeking reliable van drivers up and down the UK. It appears that employers are ready to start their recruitment engines as things start to get back to normal. And for those of you who have been waiting on self-employed government payouts, the Self Employment Income Support Scheme is now live and processing payments to those who saw significant business interruption. There are also new bounceback loans available through all high street banks, which offer a government-backed loan of up to £50,000 for small businesses. These loans are interest and payment-free for the first year. 

And it seems the UK government is also ramping up to get the country moving again, although, with the new fuzzy messaging, we’re not entirely clear on what changes when, but then we don’t think anyone else really knows either. But let’s be optimistic and hope it starts to gear up again soon, like we anticipate it will.

Less good news is that the rebates for van and car insurance that we hoped would be forthcoming as they have been in other countries, has not yet rolled out through the UK. Two insurers are offering a small rebate, but we still hope to see all van insurance companies giving their customers some of their profits back, given the huge drop in claims they have seen as a result of the lockdown. 

And absolutely terrible news for those in the south of the country is that London Mayor, Sadiq Khan has raised the congestion charge to £15 (including weekends) whilst simultaneously outlining plans to close major London roads over the next six weeks, to make way for walking and cycle routes. Good luck if you’ve got deliveries in the capital – seems like the mayor is expecting you to bike them in from the suburbs. More on this next week as we get to grips with all the implications.

So there we have it – the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. But to end on a high note, don’t forget we can make your life that little bit easier if you need to renew your van insurance policy with our free 3-minute quote tool to give you the best deals around.

Until next week  – stay safe. 

Need a New Van? Sit Back and Wait

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So, instead of all the doom and gloom you read elsewhere, you know we always try to do our bit here at CVI where we can to keep you van drivers smiling. 

And there is potentially some good news on the horizon. We suspect that if you are in the market for a new van, the end of this year could see some absolute bargains to be had.

Reports show that new car and fleet sales were down in April by a massive 97 per cent, the lowest level since 1947 for new vehicle sales in the UK. The Mercedes Sprinter was the best selling fleet vehicle in April, selling an underwhelming 814 vehicles, while the Ford Transit could only muster a disappointing 138 sales. A huge backlog of new vehicles is gathering in car parks and airfields up and down the country as dealerships wait to reopen. The date they are working to is June 1st, when, subject to health and safety legislation, they may once again start to do business. 

But that isn’t the time to go spending your money on a new motor. Analysts are forecasting some pent-up demand and so many dealerships will inevitably be busy with sales over the next few months to accommodate those who simply can’t wait for their new car or van. Slow your roll, there. Because once that rush of sales has happened, and even excluding the possibility of a second wave of coronavirus bringing everything to a grinding halt, there is going to be literal tumbleweed swirling between that backlog of used vehicles. Which means that there are going to be deals to be done, possibly the biggest we’ve seen in living memory, as manufacturers struggle to shift that stock that is just sitting around, depreciating by the day. 

Come September, we think you could be stumbling onto the deal of the decade if you’re in the market for a new van, especially if you’re open to one of the less popular models, such as an Iveco or Nissan. For once, it feels like the customers will be the winners, snapping up bargains as dealers focus on shifting volume sales at lower margins to be able to clear the decks before the new 2021 models are launched.

So sit back, give your current van a little bit of TLC to keep her going for now and wait and see what happens. We think if you’re buying a new van this year, you’ll be in for a treat. And don’t forget, your new van will need new insurance and, as always, even in times of corona, our 3-minute form can help bag you the sort of savings you’ll love, without having to hold out until later in the year.  

Locked Down, But Branching Out?

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We’ve spoken a lot these last few weeks about the many van drivers who are still on the road and keeping the country moving, but for some of you out there, you too may have found yourself grounded due to the lockdown. If your business is temporarily suspended, hopefully, you’ve found yourself furloughed and are not reduced to claiming Universal Credit or waiting for the Coronavirus Payment Scheme for the self-employed to kick in.

Hopefully, the other thing that you’ve remembered to do is go and start your van at least once a week to prevent a flat battery. A gentle rev for 15-20 minutes a week keeps the roadside recovery at bay, or so the saying might go, if it was written for van drivers.

So, for those of you who aren’t working right now, what are you up to? New research shows that Brits are making the most of lockdown and teaching not just the kids, but themselves a whole load of new skills in the downtime.

Maybe you’ve taken the time to work on your fitness. If it’s anything like where we live, there are a whole plethora of new exercise nuts out every day pounding the pavements on a daily jog, or the road on their bikes. Some of you have even been finding their inner zen, with more people than ever turning to online yoga classes (ourself included). 

Or something more domesticated, perhaps? A bit of home baking explains the shortages in the shops of eggs and flour which still seem to be in short supply. Research shows that banana bread has been a particular favourite with lockdown Britain.

DIY – yes, the photos of the massive queues outside the home improvement stores are for real, as many have decided now is the time to paint that room or fix up those odd jobs your other half has been on your case about for years. We may be locked down, but at least we’re in a nice place to be.

Gardening has also understandably been popular, especially given the good weather and sunshine we’ve been lucky enough to be enjoying. Although for many of us with garden waste services suspended and tips still closed, the productivity and amount of work that can be done might be easing off with nowhere to put the cuttings and shavings. 

And, rounding out the popular pastimes has been learning a language. Yes, we may have left the EU, but that hasn’t stopped the people of Britain polishing up their parlez-vous or honing their hola. 

Which all goes to show, we may come out of this coronavirus poorer, but we might find our lives have been enriched in other ways. 

And if you are still out on the road – stay safe. 

Weekly Roundup – Coronavirus Special

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Good news if you insure your van personally and chose Admiral – you are getting £25 back from your policy cost, irrespective of whether or not you are still on the road. Government MPs are petitioning chancellor Rishi Sunak to get involved and ensure all car and van insurers pass some of the savings on that they are making while the country is in lockdown – with a reported 50% fewer accidents happening then it makes sense that we should all be getting something back and not see insurers profiting at the expense of the regular guys and gals out there. 

We do expect more to come on this in the coming weeks and more insurers either being forced or pressured into giving rebates. Some companies are also offering front line and essential workers discounts on their van insurance premiums, so if you are a key worker, be sure to mention it to your insurance broker at the time of your policy renewal and see if you can’t bag a little extra off the cost of your policy. 

Some insurers, such as Aviva and MoreThan are offering customers who are feeling the pinch payment holidays on their insurance payments (for home as well as car or van insurance). Again, we expect more to follow, although do be aware you will still be required to repay your annual policy in full at some point during your insurance term, so it may be deferring greater pain down the line, if you choose to do so.

Sadly, there are more and more reports coming in of serious accidents as a result of dangerous driving or speeding on the quieter than usual roads. As we clearly stated last time, now is not the time to see if you can take the racing line flat in your transit, however tempting that may be. 

In a bit of good news, it looks as if drones won’t be replacing anyone’s jobs any time soon. A new study found that drone deliveries were up to 10 times less energy efficient than vans. So, if you’ve still got a job, make sure you keep it by driving safely, observing all good hygiene practices (wear a mask if you can, even if they suggest otherwise) and keep on keeping on. 

Now is not the time to go faster

Posted on by News Desk

How are our frontline heroes this week? We hope you are all well and staying safe. News reaches us this week that there is a marked increase on the roads of speeding incidents and we notice there are more reports of van driver crashes appearing in the press. With 50-60% less traffic on the road, there is a marked increase in speeding incidents up and down the country and it’s coming at the cost of some very serious accidents. 

And of course, we get it. With quiet roads, it’s hard not to test the limits and see if you can take that corner with the precision and finesse of a Formula One driver. And of course, van drivers are under more pressure than ever – just being out and on the road is enough to cause some concerns and being in and out of multiple locations each day can feel like a game of Russian Roulette in the current climate. But it’s no excuse for not focusing on the road and being safe out there.

And talking of Formula One (is anyone watching the Esports version – we’re quite enjoying it), while last week it was a pilot taking up the van driver’s life, this week, it’s a Porsche Carrera racer. News reaches us that Josh Webster, Porsche Supercup winner, has taken to a Tesco van in Suffolk during the crisis while motorsports are on lockdown to deliver groceries for the vulnerable. (Please don’t go looking for him to race him – his van is limited to 50mph.) 

And finally, a big shout out to one of our local supermarket delivery drivers, who got a special cheer at 8 pm last Thursday when our entire road was out on the street clapping for you all. He took a slow, heroes drive down the road, tooting his horn and flashing his lights and giving us all a wave. And he got a heroes’ applause as he went. Keep on keeping on guys, we need you and appreciate you all. 

By Special Delivery, c/o BA.

Posted on by News Desk

Heartwarming news this week, with the tale of the pilot, turned van driver. 

Peter Login, a British Airways pilot found himself at something of a loose end when coronavirus hit, and he was furloughed by BA. Rather than staying home and twiddling his thumbs, instead, Peter, who is from Horsham, East Sussex decided to do something useful. He is now working as a delivery driver for Tesco in nearby Crawley, to help ensure vital supplies get delivered to those most in need, who find themselves self-isolating. 

His quick job switch has been celebrated by many as a sign of the good people out there who refuse to sit around and wait for better days to come, choosing instead to get out there and make a difference. 

Pilots up and down the country have been forced to take a massive 50% pay cut and forced to take unpaid annual leave, but we can only assume Peter has taken on the Tesco role out of the goodness of his heart, rather than for a pressing need for cash. 

He is certainly lifting the spirits of those Sussex residents who are lucky enough to have Peter knocking on their door. He says it’s obvious that some have not seen anyone for a while and he always makes time to have a quick chat from a safe distance before dropping off their supplies and going on his way. 

And, as van drivers, it’s important to acknowledge that this isn’t just Peter, but many of you, who are playing a vital role in the mental wellbeing of those you are delivering too – not just groceries, but other goods and services to places where human interaction may just be a little thin on the ground right now. A cheerful wave can quite literally make somebody’s day right now. So why not make the most of it – let’s face it, this is quite likely one of those times when people have never been happier to see you and knowing that you could make somebody’s day can not just put a smile on their face, but it should put one on yours too. 

Van Drivers of the UK – keep smiling. You’ve got this. 

The Coronavirus Diaries – In Which the World is Going Mad

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It seems the world is slowly losing it’s mind. Maybe it’s just us here at CVI HQ, but this week there are more tales than we can believe of van drivers making daft decisions and the great British public also losing their collective marbles too. 

In Wymondham, near Norwich, there were reports of a food van driver being attacked and robbed. The perpetrators were thankfully not only caught, but also fined for breaching coronavirus restrictions. This sadly mirrors more general reports of food service industry workers under fire from the public and even brawls in the supermarket aisles. It seems tempers are fraying up and down the country as lockdown continues.

Meanwhile, in Cumbria, a van driver was arrested for driving his van with no front tyres. Yes, you heard right, no tyres. We know HMRC has relaxed the ‘no MOT’ rules for now, but this beggars belief. (For the record, you may not have an MOT, but your vehicle is still expected to be roadworthy). 

Over in Doncaster, a van driver who had phoned in sick as self-isolating was caught transporting motorbikes in the back of his van for off road racing during lockdown. He was promptly sacked.

Staying up north, one van driver managed to create some smiles as he hastily scrawled ‘no bog rolls kept in the van overnight’ in the dirt on the back of his transit. 

Whether you’re staying home or one of the drivers up and down the country sticking it out and getting things done, it pays to remember that yes, the roads are quieter, but now, more than ever, staying safe and retaining a good sense of humour matters. Yes, the general public can be idiots and take what you do for granted, but there are many of us who depend on you doing what you do to keep our country moving and will be eternally thankful to you for it. You may not get the same recognition as many of the other key workers out there, but now more than ever, your country needs you to stay safe and keep doing what you do. 

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