The Trade Plate Driver is a specialist in the movement of untaxed vehicles between automotive sites using DVLA-issued trade plates. Whether transporting newly delivered vehicles from ports or PDI centres to dealerships, moving auction purchases to preparation sites, relocating demonstrators between branch locations or returning de-fleeted vehicles to remarketing centres, the Trade Plate Driver provides a logistically essential service that keeps automotive operations running efficiently.
Unlike standard vehicle delivery roles, trade plate driving requires a specific understanding of trade plate regulations, the conditions under which trade plates can be used and the responsibilities that come with moving an untaxed or temporarily unregistered vehicle on public roads. Employers depend on trade plate drivers to represent the business professionally, document vehicle condition accurately and return the plates correctly at the end of every movement.
Venatu recruits Trade Plate Drivers for permanent and temporary roles across franchised dealerships, dealer groups, leasing companies, auction businesses, PDI and preparation centres and automotive logistics operations throughout the UK. This role sits within our car dealership and truck and van recruitment divisions. For broader vehicle movement and collection roles see our Collection and Delivery Driver page.
Who We Recruit For
We place candidates with:
- Franchised car and commercial vehicle dealerships and dealer groups
- PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) and vehicle preparation centres
- Vehicle auction houses and remarketing businesses
- Vehicle leasing and contract hire companies
- Fleet management and disposal businesses
- Manufacturer and importer vehicle distribution and logistics operations
- Automotive logistics and vehicle movement companies
- Used car supermarkets and online retailers requiring site-to-site vehicle movements
- Accident management and insurance replacement vehicle businesses
Roles We Place
- Trade Plate Driver
- Driver (Trade Plates)
- Automotive Trade Plate Driver
- PDI Trade Plate Driver
- Auction Trade Plate Driver
- Fleet Trade Plate Driver
- Vehicle Movement Driver (Trade Plates)
- Senior Trade Plate Driver / Driver Team Leader
Who Can Apply
Trade Plate Driver roles are accessible to a wide range of candidates with a clean driving record. Strong placements typically come from:
- Experienced Trade Plate Drivers at dealerships, logistics businesses or auction operations who want to move to a new employer, a higher-volume role or a better-structured operation with improved pay or shift patterns
- Collection and Delivery Drivers who already hold or are willing to apply for a trade plate licence and want to broaden into dedicated trade plate driving activity across a wider range of sites and vehicle types
- Retired or semi-retired drivers with a clean licence history who want flexible or part-time vehicle movement work in a structured automotive environment without the overnight stay demands of some driving roles
- Automotive valeters, PDI technicians or preparation centre staff who regularly move vehicles on and off site and want to formalise that activity into a dedicated driving role
- Bus Drivers or Coach Drivers who want a change of environment away from passenger transport and are looking for a vehicle movement role with a flexible structure
- Dealership or forecourt staff who hold a full clean licence, are confident driving a wide variety of unfamiliar vehicle makes and models and want to move into a dedicated driving function
A full UK Category B driving licence with a clean or minimal endorsement record is required for car-based trade plate roles. A trade plate licence from the DVLA is required before unsupervised trade plate driving can take place, and most employers will either require candidates to already hold one or support the application process as part of onboarding. Venatu confirms the licence and trade plate requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.
Driver (Trade Plates) Salary Guide
| Role | Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Trade Plate Driver (Entry) | £23,000 - £27,000 |
| Trade Plate Driver (Experienced) | £26,000 - £32,000 |
| Senior Trade Plate Driver / Team Leader | £30,000 - £38,000 |
| Fleet Trade Plate Driver (Multi-site) | £28,000 - £35,000 |
Some roles are structured on a per-vehicle or per-movement basis rather than a fixed salary, which can increase earnings for high-volume drivers covering multiple movements per day. Fuel costs and return transport between drop-off locations are typically covered by the employer. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each client before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on automotive driving role remuneration.
What the Role Involves
- Collecting and delivering vehicles between dealerships, PDI centres, preparation facilities, auction sites, customer addresses and fleet locations using DVLA-issued trade plates in compliance with trade plate licence conditions
- Carrying out a pre-drive condition inspection on each vehicle at the point of collection, documenting condition accurately using paper or digital condition report formats and ensuring any existing damage is recorded before movement begins
- Attaching trade plates correctly and in accordance with DVLA requirements before any road movement, and returning plates securely to the employer at the conclusion of each movement or shift
- Driving a diverse range of makes, models and vehicle types safely and with care, adapting quickly to unfamiliar controls, dimensions and driving characteristics
- Managing daily movement schedules efficiently, communicating any delays, breakdowns or vehicle defects found during transit promptly to the supervising controller or fleet manager
- Arranging return transport from drop-off points to the origin or next collection location via public transport, taxi, pool vehicle or driver team coordination as directed by the employer
- Completing driver logs, movement records, mileage documentation and any condition report paperwork accurately and submitting to the operations team at the end of each shift
- Representing the employer professionally at customer, dealer and fleet sites during vehicle drop-off and collection
How the Process Works
For employers:
- Submit a vacancy with the vehicle types to be moved, territory covered, trade plate licence requirements and preferred shift pattern or working arrangement.
- We confirm candidate availability, licence status and trade plate entitlement and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
- Candidates are assessed for licence cleanliness, vehicle handling confidence and ability to manage multi-vehicle movement schedules.
- Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.
For candidates:
- Register your CV with your licence entitlements, endorsement history, trade plate experience and any automotive driving background.
- A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
- Roles are matched to your experience level, preferred geography and working pattern.
- Venatu supports you through the process and advises on package expectations ahead of offer.
Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.
FAQ
What is a trade plate and what are the rules for using one? A trade plate is a registration mark and licence issued by the DVLA to motor traders, vehicle testers and vehicle manufacturers, which permits the use of untaxed vehicles on public roads for defined purposes. These include the delivery of purchased vehicles, test drives, vehicle testing and travel between premises. Trade plates must not be used for general commercial purposes or to carry passengers or goods for hire or reward. The trade plate holder is responsible for ensuring the vehicle is insured and that use is within the conditions of the licence at all times. Venatu confirms all trade plate licence requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.
Do Trade Plate Drivers need a special licence? A full UK Category B driving licence is the minimum requirement. In addition, a DVLA trade plate licence is needed before a driver can legally use trade plates to move untaxed vehicles on public roads. The trade plate licence is issued to the business rather than to the individual driver, but individual drivers must be named or covered under the employer's trade plate insurance policy. Some employers hold trade plates in their own name and add drivers to their policy. Others require drivers to hold or apply for their own. Venatu confirms the specific arrangements with each employer.
What is the difference between a Trade Plate Driver and a Collection and Delivery Driver? The roles overlap significantly. A Collection and Delivery Driver may move both taxed and untaxed vehicles and typically works across a broader range of collection and delivery tasks including customer-facing vehicle handovers. A Trade Plate Driver's role is specifically defined by the use of trade plates to move untaxed or unregistered vehicles between automotive industry sites, with less emphasis on customer-facing delivery. In many operations the roles are performed by the same individual.
What does a Trade Plate Driver earn in the UK? Experienced Trade Plate Drivers typically earn between £26,000 and £32,000. Multi-site fleet roles and senior or team leader positions range from £28,000 to £38,000. Per-movement payment structures can increase effective earnings for high-volume drivers. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each client before beginning a search.
What is the progression from Trade Plate Driver? Common progression routes include Senior Driver, Driver Team Leader, Fleet Coordinator and Transport Administrator. Drivers who develop strong logistics planning skills and knowledge of fleet management systems are well placed to move into operational coordination roles. Venatu identifies employers with structured development pathways for driving staff who want to progress. Read about how fleet and vehicle logistics operations are evolving in How Rising Fuel Prices Are Impacting Automotive Recruitment In The UK.
Register or Enquire
Candidates - Register your CV with your licence entitlements, endorsement history and any trade plate or vehicle movement experience. Venatu will match you to current Trade Plate Driver vacancies across dealerships, auctions and fleet logistics operations, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.
Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your trade plate driver requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.