Carers that drive are in demand
Carers that can drive are often in high demand in the care sector. A carer that drives offers a client a much greater level of freedom and means they don’t have to rely on public transport.
What types of drivers are there for carers?
There are two main options for a carer that drives.
- The carer uses their own car – This is usually referred to as an owner driver.
- The carer drives the client’s car – This could be a car the client owns, or a mobility or leased car.
If a carer is using their own car
A carer that drives and wants to use their own car must have business insurance. Without business insurance on their vehicle, they cannot use it for work purposes to take clients out.
Your standard car insurance allows you to travel to your usual place of work. However, a carer will need additional business insurance included on their insurance policy to use their vehicle for work purposes. You need business insurance to ensure you are covered in the event of a claim needing to be made for any reason.
Carers that choose to not to use their own car
Most drivers will often own their own car or form of transport. It is the carers choice if they want to use their own car for work purposes. The carer will be the person who must pay the additional costs involved and will not be able to pass on these costs to the client.
The wear and tear additionally put on their own vehicle often means that many carers do not wish to use their personal car for work. With the cost of business insurance to also consider, it can mean that the carer is paying out on what they earn to be able to provide this as once of their duties.
A carer that drives can be included on a client’s insurance policy. The car could be the client’s personally owned car, or it could be a leased car, including a Motability car. There are usually stipulations that the driver has no points and have not made any claims recently to be able to be included. This will vary from client to client and depending on what the insurers of the vehicle say is needed.
Getting a carer that drives can be hard to find
To have a carer that drives is requested by most clients. It is also often needed for the carer to be an owner driver carer. This makes trips out and appointments a lot easier for the client, along with less planning for the carer.
The carers that do drive often are already with regular clients unless they are either:
- New to the industry
- Have just passed their test
- New member of staff
A carer that drives and is willing to use their own vehicle is very much in demand. It is often the case that this request cannot be met. Not only does the industry need more staff overall, but it needs more staff that drive.
Carers that drive will often be able to work as much and as often as they want to. A carer with their own car, will be open to even more offers of placements and clients.
Is driving worth the effort?
Offsetting the cost of learning to drive, to what you could possibly earn in regular work is something every carer should consider moving forward. Being a driver will suddenly open new options, and an influx of offers of where to work.
Not only will it offer you more working options, but it will also have a positive impact on your own personal life as well. Driving will help to travel around a lot easier, as well as have more freedom in your own personal time.
