Oops, our mistake! 🎄 Yule need to check our new opening hours for the holiday period 🎄

As we head towards the close of what has been a challenging, difficult and unprecedented year, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past 12 months. No one could have seen what was coming this time last year when we were gearing up for our Christmas festivities and New Year celebrations. That all said, we have all stood together and faced the year head on, shoulder to shoulder and we are coming out stronger with a true and warmer appreciation of those around us.

As we come out of lockdown 2, we’re going to have to get used to regional tier restrictions for some time to come. We will all continue with our mask wearing and remaining socially distanced – the new normal as is being hailed. The shops are starting selling their goods again, the construction will continue and hospitality will start it’s recovery again – but what do they all have in common? Delivery drivers – YOU - are at the centre point of all these and many more industries who RELY on delivery drivers EVERY day.

We salute you and thank you for the truly extraordinary job that you do to keep businesses on the road and the wheels turning. Keeping supermarkets stocked, delivering essential medical supplies and supporting British businesses in this time of great difficulty is beyond words. We are so proud to have you on our team and so, from all of us at Driver Require, we would like to say a massive Thank You to all the workers who supported us and our clients through 2020 and wish you and your families all the best for 2021.

As we started writing this last issue of the Extra Mile for 2020, we wondered If we could sum up the year in just one word, and if so, what that would be?

Unprecedented? Hellacious? Abnormal? Undefinable?

Well, what a year it has been. From a global pandemic, protests and riots, online learning and lockdown, describing 2020 in just a word or two seems like a daunting task. 2020 might just be undefinable — and that’s OK. “Unprecedented” seems like the obvious adjective to describe most notable events of the last 11 months. With terms such as quarantine, furlough, social distancing and Zoom parties, it seems like our everyday language will forever be changed by the words and phrases that have crept into our conversations this year. Some other most common words and phrases include super-spreader, mask-up, support bubbles, keyworkers, furlough, Black Lives Matter.

Even Oxford Languages have concluded that this is a year which cannot be neatly accommodated in one single word, so here are a few that we think capture 2020:

Our Stevenage office has nominated Jason Willis as our November Driver of the Month. "Jason has not been a part of Stevenage’s team for long, however, in that time he has proved himself absolutely invaluable. He prefers to drive Class 1 but will drive just about any vehicle we ask him to and has no issues travelling between clients and jobs. He has a very professional approach to his work and is making a great impression with every client we place him in. Keep up the good work Jason!”

Thank you Jason, from us all at Driver Require.

On January 1st 2021 the UK’s new immigration system goes live once freedom of movement with the European Union (EU) has ended. People who wish to gain entry to the UK and work will only be able to do so if they meet the criteria and have enough ‘points’. Under these criteria, drivers will not qualify as “skilled workers”. This is very unfortunate and disappointing to us and to the industry as you provide such a vital service and are classed as key workers. We will of course let you know if this should change so you can pass this information on to any friends or family members (non-dependant) who may want to come to the UK and work in the same industry as yourself. For details of the system and qualifying criteria, go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-immigration-system-what-you-need-to-know

Don’t forget either that if you need to gain settled status the time is ticking – make sure you don’t miss the deadline of 30th June 2021 to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK.

Read this for more information… What is the EU settlement scheme?

If you are an EU citizen, you and your family members need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue living in the UK.

The EU Settlement Scheme allows you and your family to get the immigration status you will need to continue to live, work and study in the UK. This status means that you continue to be eligible for :

public services, such as healthcare and schools
public funds and pensions
British citizenship, if you want to apply and meet the requirements

The EU Settlement Scheme is open and you have until 30th June 2021 to apply BUT please do not leave it till next year to get the ball rolling – as with any applications there is always a rush towards the end date. Get ahead of the crowd and get your applications in now!
This leaflet is informative:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/862459/EU_Settlement_Scheme_leaflet.pdf

Application guidance can also be found on GOV.UK and you can start your application at :-
https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families

It is FREE to apply so please don’t be misled by any offers to help with you with your application for a fee.

With Winter just round the corner with its frosty nights, snow, ice, gritter lorries out and low sun the time is here to do our Winter car checks to ensure that our cars are up for the challenge. The last thing you would want is to fail a shift due to car troubles.
Here are some top tips :-

1)     Get your car serviced
2)     Check the battery
3)     Top up engine coolant with anti-freeze
4)     Check the condition of your tyres
5)     Clean your lights
6)     Wash your windscreen and wipers
7)     Prepare for longer journeys
8)     Carry a winter car breakdown kit
9)     Check your insurance cover

More details on these can be found here …
https://www.confused.com/on-the-road/maintenance/prepare-your-car-for-winter-maintenance-tips