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.
People can also make money by joining delivery websites such as movesavers or anyvan or shiply.
Helpful info. Lucky me I found your web site by accident, and I’m shocked
why this twist of fate did not took place earlier! I bookmarked it.
Hi there.
I have a Mr2 roadster is this car to oldto be considered for this type of work. Very new to thisso any questions tben please ask me
Kind regards
Mike
I registered with Use That Space 2 months ago and did not even receive the welcome pack that was supposed to be sent within a few days. I chased it up and still had nothing back.
Hi Rachel, they no longer operate, check their social media they have not been around for a while
Hi Justin, thank you. Are there any companies that are still doing this? I’m a bit concerned about the amount of information you have to register if it’s not even going to get you on a waiting list.
Underwraps advertising is still running and doing well. They match clients ads with vehicles and pay an average of £100 per month to car owners. They would be a good one to sign up with.
I have a VW T5 07 reg Private plate, long wheel base Van/ People Carrier 17 ft long. Big Alloy wheels black glass in the rear the van is in Silver and is Lightly customised We have Portuguese water dogs that we walk every day by the river. We Live in central Oxford on a Main Rd OX41NH and we Travel to Poole to our 42 ft Sailing yacht Moored in Poole harbour Happy to advertise on both … 🙂 Dogs on the vanand Sailing graphics on our 42 ft sailing yacht.
Hi my names mike I ride a yamaha ybr 125 just wondering if any of these companys advertise in motorcycles
I got vw crafter we do delivery so it’s running all over uk is there’s any sponsor.. Body condition is not very good is there’s any sponsor out there..?
I drive a 2000 plate black focus and do roughly a thousand miles every month driving around Dover, Folkestone and Canterbury, I also work in a very busy ferry port where the car would be parked so it would be a free advert to nearly 20 thousand people a day, anyone interested?
Ok – another update “Use that Space’ do not require a tie in from you when registering – don’t know whathappens if you are offered advertising – but at least no tie in just to register online!
Same applies to registering with “Money4Space” (Lion Media)but the tie in is 3 yrs (we are getting lower….) Thier clause 2.2 states: 2.2 Registration on the Lion Media UK LTD Database Lion Media UK LTD intends to establish a database of Advertisees who desire to carry a Advertisement on their vehicle. By executing this Agreement, the Advertisee agrees to be registered on the Lion Media UK LTD database of potential drivers and vehicles for a term of three years from the date that the Advertisee submits the completed Registration Form to Lion Media UK LTD. The Advertisee agrees not to… Read more »
Ok – same goes for registering with ‘Comm-motion’ online too – except you are tied in with them ‘exclusively’ for 5 years… Their clause 1.2 states: ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. 1.2 Registration on the Database. The Company intends to establish a database of Owners who desire to carry a Display under an Advertising Campaign. By executing this Agreement, the Owner agrees to be registered on the Company’s database of potential drivers and vehicles for a term of five (5) years from the date that the Owner executes the Form. The Owner agrees not to register on another similar vehicle advertisement advertisership, or… Read more »