Pearl1910:
Obinoral and Glithronix, u guys are something else. I have repented, u guys should stop tempting me na, abeg. I don laugh tire.

Pearl1910:


"With your full chest" u get D drift? See ur chest na oh gwod ...I couldn't resist the urge. God help me. Focus focus!!!

pope191:


Glithronix you’ve been evicted from the nairaland brothers house. You have 2 mins to leave this space.

Ordinary buga, you don run apologize. If everyone keep apologizing like this. Where are we going to get violence to keep this place functioning? You are a very stingy person, ordinary violence, you can’t share.

Conner44:

pope191:


“I couldn’t resist the urge”. Are you pondering what I’m pondering. Ohk!

izzou:


If you are driving it yourself, then you may succeed

If you want to give it out on rentals, you may cry hot tears.

Local government papers is as important as Vehicle papers. Always put your ears on the ground. They fit release new one this week, and if you no get am, dem go chop you

As a guy with just one Sienna, you will be indirectly working for Agberos. Lagos to Warri park in Iyana Ipaja, agbero dey collect pass 12k on dues for one Sienna per trip. Do the maths.

Lastly, business is dull. It would take a miracle to do 3 trips in a week (Park to Park). People no dey travel like that.

I wish you God's speed

Conner44:


Interstate transportation business is nice but you need to be prepared to do everything necessary to make your vehicle and passengers secure and safe at every point on each trip.

The vehicle you choose to use also depends on the distance you wish to cover. Some vehicles are better suited for short inter-city trips like from Lagos to benin or Ibadan (Toyota Previa, Mazda MPV etc) and others required for longer hauls (Sienna, Hiace etc). The basic mode of the business is very similar no matter the distances so far as it’s interstate travel.

First things first, your vehicle and its particulars/documentation has to be updated and complete no matter what. If you plan to have just one vehicle in the business which you will be managing yourself (and can be flexible enough to switch the use of the vehicle from business to personal at any time) you can settle for regular blue vehicle license plates but if you know you want to have one or more vehicles and use them strictly for business you’d best get the red commercial license plates. Both have their advantages or disadvantages on the highway.

Wether you’re using blue or red plates your vehicle licenses should always be updated, hackney permits intact, various state ‘park & garage’ emblems fully paid for and the driver must possess a valid license. As a highway driver your ‘legalized’ enemies on the roads are the FRSC officials, VIO inspectors and various state government agberos.

The road safety and Vio guys mostly look out for the same things to penalize you as a highway driver. Apart from checking all your vehicles documentation and their validity (they don’t care for emblems) they will also look out for your passenger/cargo manifest. If you are caught hauling human or cargo without a manifest it is a very bad situation. Try to print receipts and manifests for your passengers and cargos to be recorded and signed then a copy given to the driver to hold on him per trip. The other material things they check are your regular emergency apparatus, tyre condition and your rearward visibility (in case you’re hauling much cargo, never allow the height of the stacked goods reach that of your rear view mirror to block your view from seeing behind your vehicle) , it is also a nice offence they use in collecting money from a carefree/greedy driver. Don’t drive with a cracked windshield. If you are using a blue private plate number they can also ask you for some ‘Roja’ since you’re not supposed to be using your vehicle commercially, in this case just squeeze anything into their hands and continue your journey. It usually comes up after they have checked you and seen all your paperwork and vehicles condition is in order.

For the various individual state agberos (council men), those ones are a bit trickier to handle because they are not usually ‘gentlemanly’ in their own doings (in fact, the only state I know that their own council members ball is in cross river state. Those ones drive air conditioned flashy sedans on their rounds and dress very formally that you won’t even believe they are agberos ) theses guys can ‘cramp’ you at anywhere so far you have a red commercial plate number and are hauling on any journey. How to escape their own wahala is simply to have their states full emblems and these emblems are to be renewed annually. If you are caught picking up, dropping off passengers/cargo or even just sitting still and buying fuel at a filling station they can corner you and request you show them your emblems. If you don’t have it or it’s expired you can have your vehicle impounded and pay a hefty fine that would cost approximately what their emblem does. These guys are usually not in uniform so it’s hard to point them out on the roads. They can come out of nowhere and they could be looking like ‘hemp craving’ unkept looking youth or gentlemanly depending on the state you encounter them. Different states have different emblems both in design and prices (which can cost as low as N25k and as high as N40k in some states) The major states where they carry this their emblem matter on their heads well-well to generate revenue that I’m aware of down south are Lagos, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Abia, Cross-River and Rivers states. If you’re serious in your highway business and don’t need problems you should purchase emblems for all these states depending on the routes you choose to ply. All states have their respective emblems but some don’t take their drive for it as seriously as others. Different states also have their own versions of LASTMA as we know them here in Lagos. If you park wrongly or commit blunders on their roads and you happen to have a red commercial number plate they will pursue you with all their might and catch you. Their own fees too can cut your heart out so be mindful of where you drop or pick passengers on your routes. If you have a red number plate you will be forced to pay tolls to pass some roads, like here in Lagos if you’re entering a big market like tradefair you must pay a gate fee wether you are hauling or empty so keep that in mind.

The police and army checkpoints are always on the roads. As for the police they are not usually an issue except you’re hauling contraband. Are you carrying bales of used clothes? Foreign rice? Etc . . . You will part with at least N500 per item that they ‘see’ in your boot during their stop and search operations. Apart from hauling contraband and having your vehicle’s particulars in order they will beg for ‘roja’ and decide to waste you and your passengers time if you deny them or play wise. They can tell your passengers to disembark and open their luggage one by one to waste your time and rile you all up. Sometimes they find unlabeled medication and interesting gadgets in passengers bags that can turn a stand-off into something else so it’s better you ‘roja’ on time if necessary. The army on the other hand don’t have any problems. If you know you’re hauling cargo and passing through their checkpoints just hold their N200 as your gate fee or their boys will cause issues for you and if you shine eyes for them too much they will call their oga aowa sitting in the shade to come and discipline you properly. So hauling cargo? Passing army checkpoints? Pay them their N200 jejely and go your way. The police and army will actually give you change if you don’t have small cash unlike road safety and vio guys. Those ones charge the highest as their ‘Bleep-up’ fee on the highways and you won’t be able to leverage well because they can actually impound your vehicle.

Then when it comes to your vehicle itself, highway driving is usually easier on your vehicles mechanical systems. Your main worry should be its cosmetic appearance both in and out. Before any trip guage your fluids and tyres. It is normal to change your engine oil after every 5th trip (go and come is calculated as a trip) and your gearbox/axle fluids should be replaced when due. The main wear and tear item on highway maintenance is your tyres. They degrade rapidly and a leave you stranded if you don’t keep a keep eye on their condition everyday. A useful rule is to always strive to buy commercial grade tyres and never use tubes no matter what (you can keep one in your boot just incase) and also stay away from winter graded tyres as they wear out faster while being much noisier on the roads. Regular replacement parts are your shocks, tie rods and bushings so try to buy oem replacements whenever you can for longevity. Your oxygen sensors and engine thermostat should be in order even if your fans are running directly from battery to help conserve fuel. Using air conditioning on highway journeys don’t use much extra fuel, if you do a journey of 500 kilometers with N35k fuel then with steady aircon you will do the same journey with N36k highest so don’t be hesitant to use it for yourself or your passengers comfort.

When it comes to loading and offloading, it is a generally good idea to have a sound vehicle and then register it with a company having a well known network of parks/pits (Tracas, Christian Praise, Ben flo etc) because you would just need to locate their parks at any city you get to and then take your turn to wait for your turn to ‘pit’ and load. Sometimes it can take days or even weeks depending on the season. In these type of companies you pay a registration fee for yourself and vehicle then you pay a small fraction of your seat ticketing fee to them every time you load. You would be mandated to brand your vehicle to reflect their company and also adhere to their own policies. Their advantage is that they are more networked and spread in many states so no matter where you decide to travel to you will always find an office where you will be welcomed to park and load.

On the other hand, if you’re using your own vehicle for highway haulage and you don’t wish to join with any company you can make acquaintances with some independent pit management in parks. They will give you a space/turn to pit your vehicle and load passengers from their space. You will usually not need to register formally with them. All they will require mostly is the complete ticket money for one seat (a standard fee for using their pit) , pay for the boys that shadow passengers for you (usually N500 per head) and you will pay the union/park loading fee before you leave on the trip. Remember these payments can vary depending on familiarity, location and negotiation. If you didn’t have a fully loaded vehicle and still want to proceed with your trip you will still have to pay the full price, some people decide to offload their passengers and reschedule their trip if they see another driver willing to awitch places on the que. The only people that like to embark on trips with few passengers are guys driving company vehicles (GUO, Young shall grow etc) because they can pick passengers along the way and pocket the extra cash for themselves. Private/independent divers don’t have that luxury because you pay in full for any trip you decide to embark on even if it’s just only 3 passengers you see.

Picking passengers along the way is not usually profitable all the time except seasonally and it will depend squarely on what side of the trip you are taking off from. Like for example from the first week in December you can pick passengers from Lagos toll gate along ijebu-ode going to benin/delta/east for as much as N10-N13k per head and settle any loaders you see at the bus stops the price for a seat. But if you were returning from the east at that same moment you will pick passengers from Onitsha-asaba toll gates coming to the west for as little as N5k on some good days, some times you can even see grown people pricing you N3k to carry them from delta to Lagos with full morale so picking passengers along the road is something not very profitable depending on the season and divide you are on.

I think I have covered all your inquiries. Sorry for the long post guys, there’s no thread for trailer or highway drivers on nairaland yet so near with my Cho-Cho-Cho this evening

obinoral1179:
please we have seen two dashboard from two top drivers, the age group or conference league of limca car sales and data analysis should post their July earnings or forever remain silent and those that sell car to send 10k for pot soup should post theirs too.....it's time for evidence not always talk and talk..

donbrowser:


Let me tell you a short story. When I was studying in school, I had a friend that I used to advice about getting an employable skill instead of masters, she studied guidance and counseling (educational psychology) while I studied computer science. I studied a course that gives a wide range of opportunities to become a software developer, database manager, graphics designer, website developer application software developer etc. I decided to settle for digital marketing because I funded the major part of my education myself.

Today she's stuck with her masters in a school teaching kids because she doesn't have skills but certificates but I'm here with 2 jobs and lots of side hustles without a masters.

I return all glory to God.
Everything is not about bad government, if you open jobs portal today, there will be vacancies there but the question is can you do the job?

Dangote recently employed about 11,000 youths from India, do you know why?

Good morning to you

Conner44:


Nice point above. But is that the main reason why you believe that schools will now switch to regarding the resume of a digital market over that of a guidance counselor in our society today?

donbrowser:


Peter Obi's supporters are the wisest and that's why they leave Anambra that he made a Dubai out of to Hustle in Lagos that f00lish Tinubu's supporters thrive in

Viking07:
My target this week is 2.5m. I need money for flight ticket.

Felicity001:
The only person I know has the right to speak against me is readadream, yes I say this with all humility and sincerity of heart because when I bought him the car he's currently using I'd just started learning the trade so I didn't really know most things.

There where a lot of things I never knew then, like behaviours or people in a particular area when you're going to buy a car, documentation and a lot of other stuffs like that... I was still learning.

I never knew the car had a very bad ac system, Readadream spent over 150k revamping the ac system.

Then the back axle was also bad that it was eating up the back driver's side tire... I never knew that cheap cars means great trouble otherwise I would have priced down that car to say 600/700k so he could have at least have like 300/400k to fix the ac which was the major thing I saw b4 buying the car.

I also couldn't attend his wedding even though he sent me his invitation... For some reason I didn't know how I managed to forget the date... Till today I'm still looking for a way to make up things with that gentle calm and handsome young man.

But together we tackled all the challenges that came up with the car till it became stable.

Readadream doesn't own me a dime! He paid me our agreed charges of 50k immidately delivered his car to him and even when I was still driving some times when I'm in lekki I call him he will leave whatever he's doing to meet me up for a hangout. Most times he foots the bill for out drinks, we discuss, joke and share ideas and encourage ourselves.

But within myself I know I own him a lot, yet this guy still holds me to a very high esteem. Never a time has he ever insulted or make an attempt to throw shades at me.

Even when the greedy fasashi who think he can eat his cake and have it back was having issues with his car he contacted Readadream complaining here and there. Why didn't he contact me? He too knows he couldn't because he knew he messed up.

The car I sourced and sold to fashasi is even far better off than the one I bought for Readadream because fashashi's was 8 months older experience couple with asking him to come with his mechanic which he did.

No wonder God will continue to bless some people than others.
May God continue to bless Readadream and his family.

Josephase:
You always sell cars with issues!!!

obinoral1179:
Dm sir

obinoral1179:
Dm sir

Felicity001:


You're truly f00lish now IC...

If them born APC well let them sign the bill for restructuring with true federalism let's see where Lagos state will be in just 4 years. Just 4... We go see weather you no go run back to your Osun state.

dav1002:


Thank God you first me talk am
Play on!
Play on!

Feli go sell the lemon car then recommend black bishop to fix am

Maybe na why blackbishop dey always tackle am cos after Felicity refer bishop to the client to help revamp the lemon limcas sold to them, car go still dey give issues. Client go come choke bishop say he no Sabi work not knowing that the car initially was a Lemon 😂

dapotemi:


If this is true,then they might be working together...They will first finish you by selling to you a limca lemon, them completely finish you by recommending a team member to HELP fix it up...You will think they are helping you but deep down ehn . ...On NL, be careful with every Kobo you dispense ....

Felicity001:
This is a new month and happy New Month to all my well wishes.

May this month be good to you all that wish me good. Esee!


Blackbishop! Blackbishop!! Blackbishop!!!
How many times I call you?
You know you're also a service provider... We are both in the auto business together you know that right?
Don't think you're catching cruise ooh not every you make jokes with... Among everyone here you aline knows me to some very large extent.
At all at all even if I no senior you info use 10yrs ontop your head... I sabi you reach house, I know how many customers I don refer to your shop and I know how many times I've referred you here on NL... And other NL thread... Since I started my auto business you've haven't referred anybody to me neither have you returned any favour. I'm not asking for any either.

Even before the past Salah I still called you with my credit and you spoke with the owner of my street where I currently live (not stay)... He was a customer I referred to you.

In customer relations, just 1 referral can bring you 100s of customers.

Blackbishop be very careful, this is the very last time I will sound this to you. Pls avoid me henceforth me and you no be mate in any aspect. If you think you can spoil my brand I'll tell you I joined hands in making you what your currently are today. Please stay off my back.

My last warning to you!

YeyeGbami:


If you get indrive, you fit find trip towards Ikeja from lekki. So you won’t blow empty. If you no sabi mainland at all no accept trip wey go carry you go interior.

Where in ota and where in lekki?

tbred:


Thank you, from Admiralty way in Lekki, and pick up is ShopRite.

Pearl1910:
I make 25 - 35k Net of fuel and commission a day. So any driver that comes to tell me horse dung should just be ready to drop the keys.
My rentals remains fixed fuel hike or not. If u no do again come drop key.

As for you saying "Ehailing is dead","u r just barely making your fuel money back" blablabla... I sympathize with u, my advise is drop the car and look for something else to do. No stress yourself, No stress your partner, No stress us for this thread.
They say if u no get evidence/proof, u go explain tire. So na only evidence I go dey post now to motivate people that really want to do the business.
Below is my activity for just 4 days. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Not including offlines and few Indrive trips.
I used 15k fuel daily so subract 60k from the Net, and that leaves me with 145k in 4days.
Bolt is now 20%, I don't know if Bolt has hidden charges but all the money I made is accounted for, either in cash, money in bank or expended. Funny how nobody has said anything about this reduction, but if they increased it by a fraction of a percentage guys will notice it and announce that bolt is now charging 26.8%

If I was on d road today, I will still make minimum 30k profit. Nothing except God can stop that from happening.
If I can do it, u can do it too.