The Complete Courier Kit Guide: Vans, Tools & Gear Every UK Driver Needs

The_CourierGazette · 27 August 2025 · 187 views · 0 replies

Being a courier isn’t just about having a van and a sat nav. To make good money and keep the work stress-free, you need the right setup: the right vehicle, the right equipment, and the right backup tools for when things go wrong on the road. This guide is built for UK self-employed drivers, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been hauling parcels for Amazon, DPD, Yodel, FedEx, DHL, or Evri for years. Let’s break it down. ⸻ Choosing the Right Van Your van is your business partner. Pick wrong and you’ll waste fuel, miss jobs, or pay fines for overloading. • Small vans – Perfect for local multi-drops in towns and cities. Cheap to run, easy to park. • Medium vans (SWB/MWB) – The “all-rounder”. Most couriers in the UK use this size. Takes a good mix of parcels and the odd pallet. • Large vans (LWB/XLWB) – Best for long-distance and bigger jobs. Room for multiple pallets, furniture, or bulky loads. • Specialist vans – Refrigerated, crew cab, or electric vans for clean-air zones. 👉 Always check payload (the legal weight you can carry). DVSA can fine you up to £300 if you’re overloaded. London ULEZ also means you’ll need a Euro 6 diesel or go electric to avoid daily charge