HGV shift marketplace questions, answered

Drivano is a UK-only software marketplace that connects self-employed HGV contractors with businesses that need shift cover. It provides workflows for direct shift engagements, compliance records, contracts, timesheets, invoices, payment tracking, and ratings. Drivano does not employ or supply the contractors.

1. A hirer posts a shift with the rate, hours, vehicle, location, and requirements.

2. Eligible drivers apply.

3. The hirer accepts an applicant and a Contract for Services is generated.

4. The driver completes the shift and submits a timesheet.

5. The hirer approves it, the contractor sends an invoice, and the hirer pays the contractor directly.

Yes. Right to Work in the UK is required.

No. Drivano provides software and introductions. The hirer selects the contractor and they contract directly for each confirmed shift. Rules applying to online work-finding services may still apply to the Platform.

You must have: Valid HGV entitlement (Class 1 / Class 2 / 7.5t as applicable), Driver CPC, Digital tachograph card, Right to Work in the UK, Self-employed status (sole trader or limited company), and any insurance you're required to hold (if applicable to your operating setup).

Yes. Drivano is for self-employed contractors only. PAYE work is not offered through Drivano.

Drivano collects and reviews identity, Right to Work, driving licence, Driver CPC, digital tachograph card, and relevant certification records such as ADR, HIAB, or Moffett. Drivers are asked to keep expiring records current.

Drivano doesn't impose a blanket points cap. Hirers set their own acceptance requirements per shift (e.g., no DD/DR, max points, minimum experience). Licence status and endorsements are visible to support informed decisions.

Yes, but cancellations close to shift start may impact your rating and access to future work. Repeated late cancellations can lead to suspension.

Failing to attend and/or failing to check in within the defined tolerance window for that shift (shown at booking) without agreed cover or approved cancellation.

Yes. No-shows can result in temporary or permanent suspension.

You're responsible for your own tax and National Insurance obligations.

Log in -> Post a Shift -> enter: Rate, hours, start/end time, location, Vehicle type and duties, Required qualifications (ADR/HIAB/Moffett etc.), Site rules (induction needs, PPE, start tolerance), and Any acceptance rules (e.g., endorsements limits, experience).

Drivano collects and reviews identity, Right to Work, licence entitlement, Driver CPC, digital tachograph card, and relevant certification records. The recorded review status is shown on driver profiles and retained in the platform audit trail.

Yes. You review applicants and accept the one you want. Your acceptance creates the Contract for Services for that shift.

Use ratings + favourites/shortlists (if enabled) and post recurring shifts. You still contract per shift unless you separately arrange something off-platform.

Hirers pay a platform fee/subscription (and any optional usage fees if applicable to your plan). Prices exclude VAT. If Drivano becomes VAT registered, VAT will be added where required.

After timesheet approval, the contractor reviews and generates their invoice in Drivano, then sends it to you directly. Drivano stores the invoice number and tracks payment status, but does not receive the contractor payment.

You can report it in the platform immediately. We'll help source a replacement where possible and log the incident for audit/rating purposes.

Yes. Ratings help maintain quality and reliability.

Yes. Timesheets are required for payment. Drivers submit hours worked and confirm the agreed rate.

Hirers should approve/reject within 48 hours of submission to keep payments flowing. If not actioned, the timesheet is escalated to Drivano support for review (to avoid silent delays).

For the standard weekly cycle, a complete timesheet must be submitted by Sunday at 19:00 UK time. Once approved and invoiced, payment is normally due the following Friday. The hirer pays the contractor directly.

Hirers can reject with a reason and submit a correction request. Disputes and outcomes are logged in the audit trail. Drivano can mediate based on submitted evidence (messages, timestamps, check-in/out where available).

No. Contractors do not pay to use Drivano, and Drivano does not deduct commission from the contractor's invoice. Hirers pay Drivano separately for their software subscription.

Yes, but cancellations close to shift start may impact the driver's rating and access to future work. Repeated late cancellations can lead to suspension.

If a hirer cancels a confirmed shift within 12 hours of the scheduled start time, the hirer must pay the Minimum Hours Payment stated in the Contract for Services for that shift (min billable hours x agreed hourly rate). This also applies if the driver attends and is stood down.

Yes - it may be waived for documented site closures/force majeure, safety-critical incidents, or if the driver fails an objective compliance requirement. It is NOT waived for lower work volumes, customer changes, or preference changes.

The contractor includes any agreed Minimum Hours Payment in the relevant timesheet or invoice. The hirer pays the contractor directly. Unresolved non-payment may lead to account restrictions.

You can report it in the platform; repeated no-shows lead to enforcement action. Drivano will attempt to source a replacement where possible.

Verification, ratings, check-in/out (if enabled), and enforcement: repeated issues lead to suspension/removal.

If a Contractor cannot attend, they can nominate another eligible Drivano Contractor. The nominee accepts first, the Hirer reviews the existing compliance record against the shift requirements, and the nominee then accepts a new direct shift contract before the booking transfers.

Only for objective reasons (e.g., substitute lacks required licence/qualification, fails site compliance, safety restriction, or cannot arrive in tolerance). Rejections require a reason and are stored in the audit trail.

The response window is shown in the request. If there's no response, the request is escalated to support to avoid disruption.

The substitute first accepts the nomination, the hirer makes the final approval decision, and the substitute accepts a new direct shift contract. Only then does the booking transfer. The hirer pays the substitute directly against the substitute's invoice.

Drivano supports self-employed drivers operating as sole traders or through limited companies. The correct tax and employment-status treatment depends on the actual engagement, so each hirer remains responsible for assessing its obligations.

No. Employment status depends on the real working arrangement, not just the contract label. Drivano records assignment terms, substitution activity, and engagement events to help hirers keep evidence, but it does not provide a legal status guarantee.

If the off-payroll rules apply, the responsible client must assess status with reasonable care and issue any required SDS. Drivano keeps signed terms, assignment details, replacement records, and engagement logs to support that process, but does not make or guarantee the determination.

You'll have an assignment-by-assignment record: contract terms + assignment details + substitution activity + engagement logs. In other words: evidence of what actually happened, not vague assurances.

Drivano keeps assignment terms, acceptance records, substitution activity, and engagement events together. This gives hirers a consistent evidence trail to support their own employment-status process.

No. Drivano is built for self-employed contractors only.

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Yes - via account settings.

In-app chat or email support@drivano.co.uk.