If you have a driving licence then you have a whole raft of extra opportunities open to you to earn some extra money. As well as the more obvious ways of earning money with your car such as mini-cabbing or taxi-driving, there may be some that you haven't thought about. There's always a demand for servicing and repairs as well as a number of franchise opprtunities in areas like scratch and dent repair and window crack fixing.

Catalogue delivery and directory distribution can provide an occasional extra earner or can develop into a steady income. There are several direct sales outfits like Kleeneze which you can build up into a useful spare-time or full-time income.

Car and driving related ideas to make money from home

Buying and selling cars Car repairs and servicing Car valeting Catalogue delivery Courier driving Driving Instructor Limo driver Man with a van Mini cab driver Motorcycle courier Pizza delivery Restoration of cars and bikes Rickshaw service Taxi driver

If you need to brush up on your skills or learn some new ones don't forget that there are often affordable or even free classes in all kinds of skills and crafts as well as lots of online support and advice. You can find work initially by leaflet drops, placing cards in newsagents and post offices and visiting likely businesses.

Buying and Selling cars

If you have an eye for a bargain, then buying and selling cars on a small scale can be a 'nice little earner'.

There are great bargains to be had at the car auctions if you don't mind taking a risk, although in many ways it's safer than buying privately as some auctions will check for outstanding HP, accident write-offs etc. You can also pay for a vehicle check of your own - this is important as you could lose your money and the vehicle if it turns out to be stolen!

Most punters are wary about buying at auction as they feel uncomfortable with the whole bidding procedure. If you've never done it before, then pay a few visits to the auction before buying to get the feel of it and find out how it works. Don't forget to check the going rate and don't forget buyers premiums, VAT and a deposit!

Don't forget that in the UK at least, the law says that trade sellers have many more obligations to the buyer than private sellers so unless you want to fall foul of trading standards, make sure you understand what rules and regulations you need to comply with when you're selling cars for profit.

Car Repair and Servicing

With the credit crunch biting into everyones motoring budget, why not offer cut-price car repair and service? Everyone needs someone they can rely on to sort out their car problems or just carry out routine maintenance such as servicing, oil changes and battery replacement. If you have the necessary skills and equipment, offer these services at the home and workplace. What about offering repairs to caravans, campers and trailers? What about scratch repair and dent-pulling services - check out franchises in this field

Car Valeting

This is a good example of a business which you can grow organically. Most part-timers start by travelling to the customers home or work. You'll need a vacuum cleaner and a full range of interior and exterior cleaning products for inside and outside the vehicle. The advantage of working at the customers home or place of business is that you can get extra business from passers by and colleagues.

Catalogue Delivery

If you enjoy keeping fit and getting out in the open air then catalogue, directory and leaflet delivery might suit you. Work can be seasonal (catalogues) or regular (leaflets) and can be carried out during the day or evening. A catalogue delivery job can be quite physically demanding as they normally have to be delivered within a set time period. One of the major players in the UK is Home Delivery Network.

Don't forget that there are also catalogue sales opportunities like Kleeneze where you distribute catalogues and take orders for a variety of domestic products. You can find catalogue delivery jobs by looking in your local press or contacting your local free-ads paper. Also contact any free magazines in your area to see if they need help with distribution.

Yellow Pages, Thompson Local and other directories are delivered in the UK by Deya Limited. More on delivery Jobs with Deya

Courier Driving and Motorcycle Courier

If you live in a big City then there can be opportunities to work as a courier. You'll need to be fast and reliable and own your own bike or car. Contact courier companies direct or check out the motorbike weekly and monthly magazines. Most of the work tends to be during business hours so it's not generally an easy job to carry out on a part-time basis although it might suit if you're working shifts. You need to be fast, reliable and not mind working on your own all day.It's a great job when the sun is shining and if you love biking but has it's own share of hazards and discomforts. (To name but a few - Too hot, too cold, too wet, saddle sore, bad back, artics turning left, anyone turning right across your path and of course car doors opening in your path!).

Over the past few years, bicycle couriers have been more in evidence as roads become ever more congested. Read about one persons experience as a bicycle courier.

Driving Instructor

Driving instruction fits in well as a work-from-home job. To train you'll need to have held a full UK driving licence for a minimum of three and a half years, have less than six penalty points and not have been disqualified from driving within the past four years.

You need to pass some stiff exams:

- a theory test

- a driving ability assessment

- a test of instructional ability

and have a criminal record check as part of the process to ensure that you are a 'fit and proper person' to become an instructor.

The DSA (Driving Standards Agency) has full details on how to become a driving instructor on its website. Once you've passed the exams you can register as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and work from home on a self-employed, employed or franchise basis.

Earnings for a full-time instructor can be up to £30K per annum and much less pro-rata as even if you teach driving part-time, the fixed costs such as paying for the car and insurance remain the same.

Limo Driver

Limo driving is another driving job that fits well around a daytime job as the highest demand is at nights and weekends. You'll need to be presentable, friendly, calm and reliable and have a full, clean driving licence. Some companies also require a PSV licence. Contact your local limo company to enquire about vacancies.

Man with a Van

The ever popular man with a van is there to help customers with all kinds of jobs from removals to collecting and delivering large purchases and getting rid of rubbish. If you have a van and you're fit and friendly, then this could be the ideal part time income for you. Note that if you're disposing of waste on a commercial basis, you'll need to talk to your local authority about a licence. You'll also need an assistant for some jobs.

Mini Cab and Taxi Driving

The rules for mini cab and taxi driving vary hugely around the country from the rigorous 'knowledge' of the London Black Cab driver to less demanding local requirements but generally speaking, you'll need to have held a full licence for at least three years, undergo a criminal record check and, in the case of owner -driving, own a modern saloon car. Highest demand again is at nights and weekends, you'll need to be able to deal tactfully with drunk and agressive people! Contact private hire companies in your area or check with your local authority.

An interesting variation on taxi driving is scooterman who supply a service for drivers who are over the limit but want to take their own car home. The scooter man turns up with a folding motorbike which he puts in the customers boot before driving the customer and his or her car home. The scooter man then takes his motorbike out of the boot unfolds it and returns to base. Franchise and employment opportunities at Scooterman.

Motorcycle Courier

See above under Courier Driving.

Pizza and Food Delivery

Highest demand is at nights and weekends again so it's great part-time work. Some companies supply mopeds or scooters or you can use your own vehicle. Find work by contacting take-aways and restaurants in your area. Opportunities are still around as even during a recession, people will order take-aways in preference to a night out.

Restoring Cars and Bikes

This can be a good way of combining a hobby with an income. If you are into tinkering with old vehicles then you can turn a profit if you buy at the right price and don't spend too much on the restoration. You could also look at buying and selling second-hand pedal bikes, there is a good demand for these especially in areas with large populations of students.

Rickshaw Service

If you're a keen cyclist, how about operating a rickshaw service - you'll need to be very fit but it can be an enjoyable way to work in the open air and meet new people. There are a wide range of vehicles available, some with electric assist for those steep hills. You can also sell advertising on the vehicles for extra income. These go well in tourist areas, you could even combine them with a guided tour if you have enough breath!

Taxi Driving

See above under mini cab and taxi driving.

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Insurance

Don't forget that if you're using your vehicle for any kind of commercial use, you'll need the appropriate insurance cover. Contact your insurance company or a reputable insurance broker.

Remember - it's illegal to use your vehicle for hire or reward without the appropriate cover and ordinary domestic policies do not provide this.

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