Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Make £100 a month with ads on your car
Reading Time: 5 minutesYou can have ads on your car, just like taxis and buses do.
Unbelievable? Not really.
If you’re someone who drives around a lot, then loads of people see your car. It makes sense for an advertiser to splash their logo across your bonnet. They’re going to get a lot of eyeballs on that space!
The concept has been widely used in both the US and Europe, where advertisers such as Gillette and the Transformers movie have worked with Moscow based StickerRide.
So, if you don’t mind driving around with ‘Vimto’ or something similar spread across your car, you could make around £100 a month for very little effort.
- What’s involved in getting ads on your car?
- How much can you make from ads on your car?
- Can anyone do it?
What’s involved in getting ads on your car?
First things first, you’ve got to get the ads on your car.
The company that you sign up to will do this by professionally applying an adhesive vinyl wrap to all or part of your vehicle. Special transparent vinyl is used on the windows, so it won’t interfere with your driving visibility – phew!
Such ‘vehicle wraps’ can be added and removed easily without spoiling the paintwork, providing it is of original factory standard. Every decal is applied using specialist technology, which prevents bubbles from forming underneath the newly-placed vinyl. The adhesive is also very strong and is rain and UV ray resistant. These wraps typically come in three forms: panel, partial and full wraps. Full insurance is provided against any damage to the paintwork of your vehicle caused by the advert’s placement, so you don’t even need to worry if something does happen.
You may even get freebies from the advertisers such as samples and discounts. Most car wrapping companies will also pay you if you refer other people to them.
So, it’s a win-win situation!
Some car wrapping companies will then require you to drive a certain amount each month before paying you.
Others won’t ask you to change your driving habits, but will match your driving routine to their advertisers’ needs.
Most companies accept vehicles of all sizes, from large vans to small hatchbacks or even flashy convertibles. All the adverts are custom made to fit your car and the specifications of their clients.
Saying this, many advertisers prefer cars that are newer or in good condition. You will also be required to keep the outside of your car clean while the advert is on it – you should report any damage to the ads or your car immediately.
Also, you’re free to turn down any branding allocated to your vehicle that you would not feel comfortable advertising.
Find out more about making and saving money with your car by reading our car guides.
the ideal ‘vehicle wrap’ driver
In order to be considered for a wrap, most companies have the following requirements:
- Be over the age of 18 at least (some companies request 20 years and over)
- Hold a clean driver’s licence
- Have a current MOT and road tax for the vehicle
- Have valid insurance for the duration of the contract
- Hold no convictions for drink driving, manslaughter or dangerous driving causing death.
Remember, you will be expected to always drive responsibly. An erratic, speeding driver is probably not going to create the best impression for the advertiser!
You can still become part of the scheme if you happen to drive a company car, providing your company gives you permission of course.
Car wrap companies can also offer corporate packages if you have a fleet of cars, vans or trucks that you are interested in registering.
Still interested? If you meet the above requirements and think you can handle a little artwork on your car, then read on to find out just how much money you can make from a vehicle wrap.
How much can you make from ads on your car?
The rate of pay varies according to the company you go with and how much of your car you’re willing to get wrapped.
Over in the US, Carvertise, the award-winning marketing firm, matches brands with high-mileage car owners – typically those owners who drive at least 30 miles a day. Drivers are normally paid $100 a month, although this can increase to $200 for the more specialist of campaigns.
Then there’s adverttu which claims to pay up to £150 a month for ads on cars (though there are limited reviews for this company).
StickerRide is another company that connects drivers to advertisers and even calculates potential driver earnings before the registration process is complete. Like other companies, their operator will check the campaign request and approve your application (dependent on criteria). You can increase your earnings by taking part in flashmobs and quests too; however, you need to launch the app before you begin driving.
Drive a lot in the US? Then, Wrapify may be the perfect pick for you. They approximate driving earnings on their site as anything from $196 to $452, depending on the type of wrap coverage that is applied.*
Drivers are paid monthly, so it’s a nice way to supplement your income; however, varying payment models exist across companies, so remember to check payment terms before you register. Plus, there’s a chance to get freebies or samples from the advertisers you are working with to boot!
Can anyone do it?
Well now, there’s the rub.
In a word – no.
Obviously a lot of people want to do this – and there’s nothing to stop you signing up – but the advertising companies are often looking for a specific type of car and driver. They could be looking out for someone who:
- Drives a LOT (such as a travelling salesperson)
- Has a really cool or expensive car
- Drives in a certain area (maybe the South East only or the North West only)
- Or lives within a commuter postcode.
They also look into other factors such as where the car spends most of its time and its total mileage.
So don’t be surprised if you sign up and then never hear anything, as a lot of factors are at play. Don’t let it put you off as it’s worth a try but just be realistic. If, like me, you have a tired-looking Citroen C1 and you only pootle about town every now and then, you’re not going to be top of the list, but there may well be a campaign out there just for you.
And, while you’re waiting to hear back, read our 10 real-world tips for cheaper driving.
*There are numerous car wrapping companies out there, be wary of scam artists, and always check company practices.
Have you had ads on your car?
Do you think it’s a good idea or have you had a bad experience with it?
Let us know about your vehicle wrapping experience in the comments below.
You can go with Halo Cars. Our LED monitors to display creative, captivating video ads that convey the brand and promotional content as cars drive through relevant locations.
Hey, is this offered in the UK? Thanks
I drive a landrover discovery all over theuk promoting the charity i work for we attend bike rallies fairs carnivals also use a swift challenger caravan as our mobile display unit
I drive a landrover discovery all over the uk promoting at trade bike charity events seen by 1000s of people weekly have been looking for sponsorship as i work for a veterans charity
Hello
I drive up and down the M6 between Manchester Airport and Birmingham every day of the week( 40K miles per year minimum) would i be able to Do this ?
I’d say so but you’ll only really know by applying to the company.
A great idea to make some money.
Hi I m taxi driver in Coventry and I work day shift I work Coventry train station and I am interested for advertising
Check with your City licensing as most are against advertising on Taxis and Private hire vehicles.
What are legal steps which I’ve to do to take advertising on my car?
Hi I drive almost 220 miles a day from Heathrow to Stanstead and then Chelmsford everyday and I m interested in wrap on my ford transit van long week base …..regards
Hi
Can you contact me regarding possibility of advertising on my Peugeot Partner Tepee. My car is a wheelchair access vehicle.
Regards
The vast majority of the get paid to wrap your car sites are scams. I did a lot of research on this topic and the only company I was able to come up with that was legitimate was Advercars, but they’ve been inactive for years. If you’re really insistent upon making money this way, you’re going to have to go directly to the companies you want to advertise for.