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.
£200 per month for me with advertiseonmycar.org.uk – really good website, sent them a question and they got back straight away. I can recommend their site/services just like everyone else, the other firms are all front – don’t bother. I told advertise my car I only wanted certain adverts, they are cool with that, just waiting for mine to be ready for placement. £200 a month – i do a decent amount of mileage and have a good car. I for one will be telling every friend and family member i have to registered with them as it’s easy money… Read more »
just registered my car, really simple and had a reply straight away. tried a few others and heard nothing!
Thanks guys, looking forward to working with you.
I’m a student living in Bristol, signed up to advertiseonmycar following a post on this site. Fair play,£250 per month, I do relatively high mileage and think that helped with my slightly older ex mum and dad car… Ford focus.
Happy to say, registration was quick and slick, I had a welcome email, importantly, I was told how much I would,could,earn up front and I was impressed with the process. Happy days, this money will pay for every night out I have per month, bang tidy…
Hi everyone, I tried comm motion, rubbish, never heard back from them and a poor website. Sharing some love, I registered with advertise on my car ltd, advertiseonmycar.org.uk, really easy website, better still, it’s not a full wrap, just the doors, I will get paid , £250 a month as they tell you once you register. Apparently, from their email, they are working with some serious brands in the uk and I’m more than happy to have them on my precious car.
I live in North East Scotland in Elgin and run a busy taxi in local area and have regular runs between Aberdeen And Inverness, car does an average of 900 to 1000 miles per week.
Looking for an advertiser that requires some very good high profile advertising from a car that’s never off the road, anyone know anybody that’s interested
Hi Roger, thanks for registering. Glad you liked the immeidate e-mail and rate you could earn per month. We really do try and work with you to be honest and open throughout. Not sure about other companies and don’t like to comment but ours is most certainly established and we’ve got some great advertisers. Our materials are second to none and we work with a national branch of graphics companies with over 70 stores nationwide. Your car is certainly saf with us. Tell you friends and any problems give our offices a call or contact us via the website advertiseonmycar.org.uk… Read more »
Paid to travel. What a blinding idea!
Hi my car is a VW Passat TDI in Silver immaculate 2002 it even has a private registration number plate and i do around 15000miles a year i drive along the m5/4 every month and shope in Sainsburys and Tesco regularly. I complete 18miles a year 6 days a week for work. Any sponsors out there?
Hi Scott,
We are currently looking to build our database at pro-motor,
You can find out more about us at
pro-motor.co.uk
Ryan
Pro-Motor
I went on pro motor, rubbish, BEWARE, they are a scam, they are just trying to get your details to sell on your data clearly, you don’t get any info from them, no timescales, no figures, they are not a registered business, just some students in a bedroom, they will probably sell the data on, beware.
I signed up with Pro-Motor. Scoured the site, and looked through their terms I see that they are bound by a privacy policy to not share my details on. Besides, who would want to know what car I drive? If anyone does want that info I’m more concerned about the DVLA who are open about selling those details
Thank you, Patrick.
Hi Mr Smith, Ryan here from Pro-Motor. I’m sorry that you feel that way about us, but can assure you that we are not a scam, and I fail to see why we would be a scam. I can say with complete honesty that scamming people has never entered my mind. As a driver myself (and as you put it “just some student”), I noticed the increasing cost of motoring, and have found it very difficult to keep my car on the road. Pro-Motor is my attempt at helping as many drivers as possible to keep their car on the… Read more »
Hi if anyone is interested in advertising on my car please email me I drive all over so will get seen alot thank you Lacey
Hi, i have a VW golf mk4 which is in very good condition, and driven all over London and essex. Was wondering if i can get it wrapped cheers.
I’m a professional sportsman looking to get advertising on my car.
Cheers
James
I run a bussines -a burger van in central London in one off the Homebaces. You can contact me and put your advert on my burger van! [email protected]