*NOW BOOKED FOR 2026* Transitmania 17 @ Santa Pod 17th to 19th July 2026 *ALL DETAILS HERE*


Going as a self employed driver?

An area for members to hang out and chat, discuss anything transit related!

Moderator: Luke

Going as a self employed driver?

Postby Wollys World :) » Tue May 21, 2013 9:09 pm

Hi all, this has been on the books for sometime now and me wanting to work for myself, i was doing part time over a year ago as a handyman and car repairs etc etc aswell as the main job of 10 years which is delivering gas cylinders, i am now back full time on the gas but its taking its toll on health.

So all that is that and what i am after is going either part time or full time in time self employed with my own car transporter, for a start sticking with a 3.5ton for the ease of regs, the plan is to get one by the end of the year or new year as i will be selling a boat i have to fund a chassis cab if not a fitted out transporter, all depends on what cash is available when it comes to it but i am looking at maybe around a grand on one to fix up myself, i can do all the mechanics and welding as needed.

I dont need to bring home £000`s , i actualy made good money on the side once when i had a recovery A frame for a few folk, thats what gave me this idea.

So can anyone give any info of a good way to start off, i was thinking once the truck is ready to go i could advertise on Uship and similar places and all local garages etc etc and see what goes.

Any help or advice at all will be welcome :wink:


wolly :D
Wollys World :)
Transit Addict
Transit Addict
 
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:04 pm

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby karl » Tue May 21, 2013 9:16 pm

Go for it I have never looked back after 6 years Being on me own

The only down side is you can be busy one week and not the next
User avatar
karl
Tranny Lover!!!
 
Posts: 8965
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:03 pm
Location: manchester

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby peewee » Tue May 21, 2013 10:18 pm

if u get a car trasnporter be wary of weights as for advertising obvoiuslyu got ebay cheaper options are newsagents windows gonna be no more than £1.50 pw or park your truck near a car auctions be suprising how many need a car shifting from there happened to me few weeks back took car to auction for a mate had 2 people ask me to move a car
i put my hands on the floor, tuck my head into my chest. and lean forward cos thats how i roll :)
peewee
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 874
Joined: Thu Oct 25, 2012 9:17 pm
Location: costa del salisbury

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby Wollys World :) » Wed May 22, 2013 6:39 am

:D good to wake up to positive comments :D

I will be building my own body so i will be building the lightest body i can, if i get the knack of welding ally i will build it from that, i have some contacts in my work now so i can good cheap materials from them, either way though i will be watching them weights, some say you wont get pulled........ but you never know, i always watch them now at work with the gas cylinders, boss dont watch them when he gives the runs out, one sent me away with over 2.5 ton when all we can carry is 1300kg :shock: lol

I will still do welding on cars etc etc when it gets quite, all swings and roundabouts i guess.

There is a car auctions down the road from me, good idea that, one thing i didnt think of.

Just looking forward to next year and new things to come :D
Wollys World :)
Transit Addict
Transit Addict
 
Posts: 44
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2011 10:04 pm

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby Punto443 » Wed May 22, 2013 7:43 am

S/e. got its ups and downs :D But you sound like you've got the right attitude. I don't know if I really make anymore money?, but I have a lot more freedom :)

One week you minted, the next your skint! :lol:
Your bullets cannot harm me, my wings are like a shield of steel

2018 Renault trafic
my old mk7
my old mk6
my xr3i
User avatar
Punto443
Site Moderator
 
Posts: 15873
Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2012 4:53 pm
Location: Deep fried pizza country

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby Terry » Wed May 22, 2013 8:29 am

Hi
Get a good accountant, go see one before you get started, he'll set you on the right track.
Whoever you cross/upset DON'T CROSS THE VAT MAN, they will hound you to your last penny, then some.
Good luck
Terry
I got a little black book with me poems in
Pallet Puller
Terry
Transit Fanatic
Transit Fanatic
 
Posts: 2267
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:47 am
Location: Sunbury On Thames

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby karl » Wed May 22, 2013 10:35 am

Terry wrote:Hi
Get a good accountant, go see one before you get started, he'll set you on the right track.
Whoever you cross/upset DON'T CROSS THE VAT MAN, they will hound you to your last penny, then some.
Good luck
Terry



you have to earn 60 grand a year to be vat registared
User avatar
karl
Tranny Lover!!!
 
Posts: 8965
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 9:03 pm
Location: manchester

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby barabas » Wed May 22, 2013 10:41 am

IIRC, VAT registration threshold is £79k, but that is turnover not earnings and it is based on a rolling year, not the fixed financial year.
The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.
User avatar
barabas
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 1663
Joined: Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:48 am
Location: Cornwall

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby bigjohnthomas » Wed May 22, 2013 10:56 am

That's compusry regstration there is no lower limit I only earn 2 shelkels a year but am vat reg
User avatar
bigjohnthomas
Transit Extremist
Transit Extremist
 
Posts: 26388
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:50 pm
Location: Uranus

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby Eggski » Wed May 22, 2013 8:48 pm

As BJT says, you can be VAT reg at any time but it is compulsary at £79k.

Iv been self employed for nearly 5 years now, should of done it sooner!
Custom Trend 2.2 125/290s 64reg (2014) DCIV. (Remapped by Vantuner)
Mk7 2.4 115T350, 57reg (2008) crewcab tipper in Saffron yellow. (De EGR'd and tweeked by Vantuner)
Mk5 2.5 banana, 76ps, V reg (2000) 190 crewcab tipper. (sold but not forgotten)
User avatar
Eggski
Transit Fanatic
Transit Fanatic
 
Posts: 2774
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 2:14 pm
Location: North Shropshire / Welsh Border

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby RichH » Wed May 22, 2013 9:51 pm

Can be a good idea to be VAT reg if you are spending a lot (fuel etc)
http://www.rhdoorsandshutters.co.uk


Automatic door and roller shutter specialists.
User avatar
RichH
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 648
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:53 pm

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby bigjohnthomas » Wed May 22, 2013 10:17 pm

Depends on what you are doing don't forget if you are vat reg you must charge your clients vat and may make you incompetitive if they can't claim it back
User avatar
bigjohnthomas
Transit Extremist
Transit Extremist
 
Posts: 26388
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:50 pm
Location: Uranus

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby limitedblack » Wed May 22, 2013 10:50 pm

Yeah 20% is a killer if your competing against non vat guys.
Happy Easter
User avatar
limitedblack
Transit Extremist
Transit Extremist
 
Posts: 11054
Joined: Sun Jun 13, 2010 2:32 pm
Location: Slough Berkshire

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby RichH » Wed May 22, 2013 10:53 pm

Depends if your working for average joe more or companies (as a subby etc...)
http://www.rhdoorsandshutters.co.uk


Automatic door and roller shutter specialists.
User avatar
RichH
Transit Devotee
Transit Devotee
 
Posts: 648
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:53 pm

Re: Going as a self employed driver?

Postby Terry » Wed May 22, 2013 11:50 pm

BJT & Eggski have it .......... If I remember right the wording is...........
'If you THINK you are likely to earn more than..(threshold) you must register'.
OF COURSE you THINK you gonna earn more !
There's no problem if you don't, as long as you pay up on time, and they make that difficult too.
I got a fine for paying late, when I questioned the accountant he had paid on time, so I
said as much to the VATman, and he said it didn't 'count' because the accountant didn't wait (online) for the confirmation from them.

A friend has them on his back now, they have made 2 high court dates and not turned up, he has with his brief each time.
Well looky that's another 3 grand he's out of pocket, EACH time !
They really don't give a f*** who they crucify or how they do it.
SO DON'T CROSS THEM
Meanwhile have fun
Terry
I got a little black book with me poems in
Pallet Puller
Terry
Transit Fanatic
Transit Fanatic
 
Posts: 2267
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:47 am
Location: Sunbury On Thames

Next

Return to Transit Talk



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated.