How to find professional drivers - to drive my van?

[BlackVanDyke]

Evening chaps.

If all goes well with an ongoing potential major life change I'm going to need to get from Manchester to London every Tuesday night in April, and then home again every Wednesday night. For varied reasons, I think I need to take my van down there rather than use the trains - the thing I hope I'm doing is right out in the sticks, as is my accommodation for it, I'd need to get from host to session really early in the mornings and my current powerchair doesn't fit safely in taxis.

Until I get my new van (due early summer), I'm not able to drive myself 400 miles in less than 24 hours - current van is just too physically difficult to drive. I don't have anyone currently involved in supporting me who's competent to drive those kinds of distances either.

It feels like the obvious conclusion is to pay someone to do some of the driving - at the very least, the 'home' leg of the trip, perhaps both legs once or twice of the 4 trips. How do I go about finding such a person? I'm aware of plenty of people-with-vans around but not many of those seem suited to driving my van, with me in it! Reasonable expenses are covered - am saving the event organisers a small fortune by not needing accommodating by them, which helps - so I'd be able to pay for someone's time plus any expenses incurred eg train for their return trip.

Any thoughts, please?

[simoid]

How much can you pay?

[boweslion]

BlackVanDyke said:

Evening chaps.

If all goes well with an ongoing potential major life change I'm going to need to get from Manchester to London every Tuesday night in April, and then home again every Wednesday night. For varied reasons, I think I need to take my van down there rather than use the trains - the thing I hope I'm doing is right out in the sticks, as is my accommodation for it, I'd need to get from host to session really early in the mornings and my current powerchair doesn't fit safely in taxis.

Until I get my new van (due early summer), I'm not able to drive myself 400 miles in less than 24 hours - current van is just too physically difficult to drive. I don't have anyone currently involved in supporting me who's competent to drive those kinds of distances either.

It feels like the obvious conclusion is to pay someone to do some of the driving - at the very least, the 'home' leg of the trip, perhaps both legs once or twice of the 4 trips. How do I go about finding such a person? I'm aware of plenty of people-with-vans around but not many of those seem suited to driving my van, with me in it! Reasonable expenses are covered - am saving the event organisers a small fortune by not needing accommodating by them, which helps - so I'd be able to pay for someone's time plus any expenses incurred eg train for their return trip.

Any thoughts, please?

Hi,

I'm just wondering what makes your current van too difficult for you/someone else to drive?

[BlackVanDyke]

boweslion said:

BlackVanDyke said:

Evening chaps.

If all goes well with an ongoing potential major life change I'm going to need to get from Manchester to London every Tuesday night in April, and then home again every Wednesday night. For varied reasons, I think I need to take my van down there rather than use the trains - the thing I hope I'm doing is right out in the sticks, as is my accommodation for it, I'd need to get from host to session really early in the mornings and my current powerchair doesn't fit safely in taxis.

Until I get my new van (due early summer), I'm not able to drive myself 400 miles in less than 24 hours - current van is just too physically difficult to drive. I don't have anyone currently involved in supporting me who's competent to drive those kinds of distances either.

It feels like the obvious conclusion is to pay someone to do some of the driving - at the very least, the 'home' leg of the trip, perhaps both legs once or twice of the 4 trips. How do I go about finding such a person? I'm aware of plenty of people-with-vans around but not many of those seem suited to driving my van, with me in it! Reasonable expenses are covered - am saving the event organisers a small fortune by not needing accommodating by them, which helps - so I'd be able to pay for someone's time plus any expenses incurred eg train for their return trip.

Any thoughts, please?

Hi,

I'm just wondering what makes your current van too difficult for you/someone else to drive?

Mismatch between my physical abilities/impairments and the assistive technology in it. I'm fine for up to about an hour but much longer than that and I need days/weeks to recover. Steering's too heavy for me. Will be fixed by replacement with new van which will have properly electronic steering, either mini wheel or joystick. It's not difficult for others to drive (apart from being a fairly large vehicle and therefore not for a brand-new driver to handle) - has normal pedals etc in too. My current paid support is 3 non-drivers and one absolutely brand new driver who's scared to death of anything bigger than a Micra.

[BlackVanDyke]

simoid said:

How much can you pay?

I need to check what's reasonable for that sort of work - drive for 4ish hours and then a train journey.

Because I'm audited annually, whoever it was would have to be OK with invoicing me formally - can't do it cash-in-hand.

[boweslion]

BlackVanDyke said:

Mismatch between my physical abilities/impairments and the assistive technology in it. I'm fine for up to about an hour but much longer than that and I need days/weeks to recover. Steering's too heavy for me. Will be fixed by replacement with new van which will have properly electronic steering, either mini wheel or joystick. It's not difficult for others to drive (apart from being a fairly large vehicle and therefore not for a brand-new driver to handle) - has normal pedals etc in too. My current paid support is 3 non-drivers and one absolutely brand new driver who's scared to death of anything bigger than a Micra.

My initial advice would have been to post something on the JobCentre website, or rather 'Universal Jobmatch'. There is plenty of one-off jobs on there so this sort of work should be fine too. Though of course, doing this you will probably be innundated with replies and could just as easily pick someone who is only after your van.

Edited by boweslion on Tuesday 5th February 00:52

[wizzbilly]

maybe ask local taxi company if they can provide you with a driver to carry out what you need in your own van ? and put them up in accomadation accordingly book early sure can get some cheap deals on premier in etc

advertising in jobcentre etc will get many replies but will get every top dick and harry apply

[BlackVanDyke]

wizzbilly said:

maybe ask local taxi company if they can provide you with a driver to carry out what you need in your own van ? and put them up in accomadation accordingly book early sure can get some cheap deals on premier in etc

advertising in jobcentre etc will get many replies but will get every top dick and harry apply

That's a really brilliant idea. Was originally thinking find a London based driver and pay the train fares, but actually Manchester based and cover accommodation might be cheaper, Virgin trains being what they are.

Agree re: advertising in jobcentre, it's not already on Gumtree for the same reason. Last time I had a personal assistant vacancy I did all that and waded through 47 hopelessly unsuitable replies before I ended up with 5 that I'd even consider interviewing! Bananas.

[stupidbutkeen]

This will sound daft,but if you pay for a foot passenger return on the liverpool ferry,pick me up from liverpool, or pay the very cheapest flights over to yours,id drive you down one of those times. I would pay for my own board in london for the nite and drive you back.
I have never seen london but i know a few people that live in it, so in doing this i would help you,you help me see london( even if for only a day)

• assuming the cost of the very cheapest flight/ferry is cheap enough.(just checked would be aprox £60 return flying from belfast city to manchester airport mid april,so i dont know if that would be cheap or expensive compared to paying for a train etc for someone for a run?)

• * also assuming my other half is ok with me doing so as well(would be ok as long as i put it to her in the right way)

• ** 40 year old unemployed bum/lorry driver at the minute(volunteer for oxfam driving a sprinter 313 van for the last year if im totaly honest) so time to do this is not a problem

Edited by stupidbutkeen on Tuesday 5th February 01:28

[smartphone hater]

BlackVanDyke said:

wizzbilly said:

maybe ask local taxi company if they can provide you with a driver to carry out what you need in your own van ? and put them up in accomadation accordingly book early sure can get some cheap deals on premier in etc

advertising in jobcentre etc will get many replies but will get every top dick and harry apply

That's a really brilliant idea. Was originally thinking find a London based driver and pay the train fares, but actually Manchester based and cover accommodation might be cheaper, Virgin trains being what they are.

Agree re: advertising in jobcentre, it's not already on Gumtree for the same reason. Last time I had a personal assistant vacancy I did all that and waded through 47 hopelessly unsuitable replies before I ended up with 5 that I'd even consider interviewing! Bananas.

Wizzbilly's idea is good but maybe you should think about a courier rather than a taxi driver to drive your van, nothing against taxi drivers but a courier will probably be cheaper & more experienced with driving a large van. There's some good owner operator dedicated couriers in the Manchester area, I could supply you with a few numbers if you'd like?

[benjj]

Surely the might of PH can have this squared away?

I'll do one, that only leaves 3 or 4 trips doesn't it?

And yes, it is only because I want to drive a black van

[NWMark]

Why not try getting in contact with a company similar to these guys (first one i found on google)

http://www.shiply.com/vehicle-delivery/car-collect...

My mate does the exact same job (but not for the above company) Will use train/taxi/bus to get to the car and then drive the car where it needs to go and then taxi/train it back home, or pick up another car near to where he is or stay over if its too far/too late.

I cant see why they couldnt cover what you need, the only difference i can see is you will be in the car (van).

[chilistrucker]

stupidbutkeen said:

This will sound daft,but if you pay for a foot passenger return on the liverpool ferry,pick me up from liverpool, or pay the very cheapest flights over to yours,id drive you down one of those times. I would pay for my own board in london for the nite and drive you back.
I have never seen london but i know a few people that live in it, so in doing this i would help you,you help me see london( even if for only a day)

• assuming the cost of the very cheapest flight/ferry is cheap enough.(just checked would be aprox £60 return flying from belfast city to manchester airport mid april,so i dont know if that would be cheap or expensive compared to paying for a train etc for someone for a run?)

• * also assuming my other half is ok with me doing so as well(would be ok as long as i put it to her in the right way)

• ** 40 year old unemployed bum/lorry driver at the minute(volunteer for oxfam driving a sprinter 313 van for the last year if im totaly honest) so time to do this is not a problem

Edited by stupidbutkeen on Tuesday 5th February 01:28

[Super Slo Mo]

benjj said:

Surely the might of PH can have this squared away?

I'll do one, that only leaves 3 or 4 trips doesn't it?

And yes, it is only because I want to drive a black van

As per this post, I'd be willing to do one of the trips for you (I make it 5 Tuesdays in April, can't do the first one though). I'm not fussy about things like staying in a cheap travelodge (Do it all the time with work), nor about early starts or waiting around.

I've an HGV licence too, as per one of the other offers, and have plenty of van driving experience, with expensive and delicate cargos. I'm only based at Stoke, so not far to get to you, or you to me for that matter.

I reckon that's 3 trips covered, surely we can rustle up one more?

[BlackVanDyke]

Just wanted to let the various incredibly kind and generous people who'd offered help on this thread know that it's fallen through - I had been applying to adopt a little boy, but a family who'd already been approved came forward and so he's been placed with them instead. Not nice for me, but definitely the best thing for a very vulnerable little sprog who'd have had to wait another 5 or so months for me and instead will now be home with his new mummy and/or daddy by the end of this month.

Oh and to the lad that's always wanted to visit London - just go, man! Book yourself into a youth hostel bed, borrow a rucksack and get moving.