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Vehicle & Equipment Standards

Effective Date: 8 May 2026 · Version 1.0

This document sets out the vehicle, equipment, and insurance requirements that all couriers must meet to operate within the Vyete Courier Programme. These standards protect couriers, customers, shops, and the public, and are binding under the Courier Distribution Agreement.

1. General Requirements — All Transport Modes

Regardless of transport mode, all couriers must ensure their vehicle or equipment:

  • Is roadworthy and in a condition that does not pose a risk to the courier, cargo, or the public.
  • Complies with all applicable local vehicle and road safety regulations.
  • Is covered by the appropriate class of insurance for courier or commercial use (see Section 6).
  • Has passed any required periodic safety inspection within the past 12 months.
  • Is operated by a holder of the required licence for that vehicle class.

2. Pedal Cycles and E-Bikes

2.1 Mechanical Condition

  • Frame and fork structurally sound; no cracks or critical welds showing stress.
  • Brakes (front and rear) fully functional and capable of stopping within the legal stopping distance.
  • Tyres in good condition with a minimum of 1.0mm tread; no exposed cords or sidewall damage.
  • Lights: front white light and rear red light operative and charged for any operation during hours of darkness or poor visibility.
  • Bell or audible warning device fitted and operational.

2.2 E-Bike Specific

  • Motor output and maximum speed must comply with local e-bike classification (typically ≤ 250W motor, ≤ 25 km/h motor-assisted speed for Europe; check local rules).
  • Battery in good health; no swelling, leaking, or irregular charging behaviour.
  • All electrical connections properly insulated.

2.3 Cargo Capacity

  • Total payload (rider + cargo) must not exceed the manufacturer's recommended maximum.
  • Cargo bags and racks must be securely fitted and not interfere with steering, braking, or wheel rotation.
  • Recommended minimum cargo bag capacity: 20 litres; insulated bag required for food deliveries.

3. Motorcycles and Mopeds

3.1 Roadworthiness

  • Valid vehicle licence (motorbike), road tax, and insurance.
  • Tyres: minimum 1.6mm tread on both front and rear; no cuts, bulges, or uneven wear.
  • Brakes, lights, horn, and mirrors all operational.
  • Exhaust system intact; no illegal modifications.

3.2 Protective Equipment

Couriers operating motorcycles or mopeds must wear:

  • A helmet meeting the applicable national safety standard (e.g., ECE 22.06 or equivalent). Open-face helmets are permitted for speeds up to 50 km/h.
  • Closed-toe footwear (boots recommended).
  • High-visibility vest or jacket during hours of darkness or poor visibility (required in many jurisdictions; recommended in all).
  • Gloves (strongly recommended, mandatory where required by local regulation).

3.3 Cargo

  • Top box or delivery bag securely mounted; not exceeding the bike's rated payload.
  • Insulated delivery bag required for hot food and temperature-sensitive goods.

4. Cars and Vans

4.1 Vehicle Condition

  • Valid vehicle licence, road tax, MOT (or local equivalent inspection), and commercial insurance.
  • All lights, wipers, horn, mirrors, seat belts, and tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread) operational.
  • Air conditioning or climate control operative for temperature-controlled deliveries.

4.2 Cargo Area

  • Cargo area clean and free from loose objects that could damage packages.
  • No animals present during deliveries.
  • Packages must be restrained to prevent movement during transit. Rope, nets, or proprietary load restraints must be used for loads that could shift.

4.3 Van-Specific

  • Van couriers carrying goods valued above a stated threshold (communicated in the run brief) must use a locked cargo area.
  • For multi-drop runs with more than 20 consignments, a route optimisation tool must be used (Vyete's courier app provides this automatically).

5. Cold Chain and Temperature-Sensitive Deliveries

Couriers accepting runs flagged as cold chain or temperature-sensitive must:

  • Possess an insulated bag or box capable of maintaining the required temperature range for the duration of the run.
  • Pre-cool the insulated container as instructed in the run brief before collection.
  • Not leave cold-chain items in a vehicle exposed to direct sunlight or high ambient temperatures.
  • Record the temperature at collection and delivery if digital temperature monitoring is provided with the consignment.
  • Report any temperature excursion immediately via the courier app.

Temperature requirements by category:

| Category | Required Range | |---|---| | Fresh grocery | 0°C to 8°C | | Frozen goods | −18°C or below | | Pharmaceutical | Per product labelling (typically 2°C–8°C or 15°C–25°C) | | Hot food | ≥ 63°C at delivery (use insulated hot bags) |

6. Insurance Requirements

All couriers must maintain adequate insurance for courier and commercial use. Standard personal motor insurance is insufficient for paid delivery work in most jurisdictions. Vyete requires:

| Transport Mode | Minimum Insurance | |---|---| | Pedal cycle | Public liability insurance (minimum equivalent of 1,000,000 local currency) | | E-bike | As pedal cycle; third-party liability where motorised vehicle regulations apply | | Motorcycle / moped | Third-party motor insurance for hire and reward / commercial use; public liability | | Car / van | Comprehensive motor insurance noting "use for hire and reward" or "courier use"; goods-in-transit cover recommended |

Couriers must upload current insurance certificates to Courier Dashboard → Documents and keep them up to date. Coverage must not lapse while the courier is active on the programme.

7. Branding and Identification

7.1 Vyete-Issued Equipment

Where Vyete provides branded equipment (bags, jackets, app stickers), couriers must:

  • Use the equipment in good condition when on active runs.
  • Not modify, deface, or use the equipment for non-Vyete activities.
  • Return equipment in reasonable condition within 14 days of leaving the programme.

7.2 Vehicle Branding

Vehicle signage or branding is optional unless required for a specific corporate or fleet contract. Couriers must not apply Vyete branding to their vehicle without Vyete's written approval.

8. Inspections and Audits

Vyete reserves the right to conduct random vehicle or equipment inspections. Couriers will be given at least 24 hours' notice. Failure to present a vehicle or equipment for inspection without reasonable cause may result in temporary suspension from the programme.

9. Non-Compliance

Couriers found operating with non-compliant vehicles or equipment may be:

  • Suspended from accepting new runs until compliance is confirmed.
  • Required to complete a re-inspection before reinstatement.
  • Removed from the programme where a serious safety risk is identified.

10. Contact

Vehicle compliance queries: [email protected]

Insurance documentation: [email protected]