Vehicle Requirements for Helpers

Your vehicle is your work tool on ReciGo. This complete guide explains all legal requirements, insurance recommendations, and what type of vehicle you need based on the jobs you want to do.

🚗 Accepted Vehicle Types

Permitted Vehicles

ReciGo accepts the following vehicle types:

🏍️ Motorcycle / Scooter

Capacity: Very small objects Typical jobs:

• Documents and envelopes
• Small objects (<5kg)
• Short urban distances

Advantages:

• Fast in city
• Low fuel consumption
• Easy parking

Limitations:

• Very few available jobs
• Only very small objects
• Not suitable for recycling

Estimated income: €50-150/month (occasional)

🚗 Small Car (Compact)

Examples: Fiat 500, VW Polo, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris Trunk capacity: 250-350 liters Typical jobs:

• Small/medium boxes
• Small appliances (microwave, toaster)
• Paper/cardboard recycling
• Large purchases

Advantages:

• Fuel efficient
• Easy to maneuver
• Sufficient for many jobs

Limitations:

• Furniture doesn't fit
• Limited for moves
• Maximum 2-3 large boxes

Estimated income: €200-500/month (part-time)

🚙 Medium/Large Car (Sedan/SUV)

Examples: VW Golf, Ford Focus, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 Trunk capacity: 400-600 liters Typical jobs:

• Medium appliances (washer, small fridge)
• Small furniture (chairs, small tables)
• Room moves
• Various recycling

Advantages:

• Versatile (80% of jobs)
• Good balance capacity/consumption
• Fold-down rear seats

Limitations:

• Large sofas/wardrobes don't fit
• Limited for complete moves

Estimated income: €400-1,000/month (part-time)

🚐 Small Van

Examples: Ford Transit Connect, Mercedes Citan, RAM ProMaster City Capacity: 3-4 m³ Typical jobs:

• Medium furniture
• Large appliances
• 1-2 room moves
• Bulky recycling

Advantages:

• Access to better-paid jobs
• Wide rear doors
• Sufficient height for tall objects

Limitations:

• Higher consumption than car
• Harder to park
• May require tolls

Estimated income: €800-2,000/month (part-time)

🚚 Large Van

Examples: Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, RAM ProMaster Capacity: 8-15 m³ Typical jobs:

• Complete moves
• Large furniture (sofas, wardrobes)
• Large recycling volumes
• Debris

Advantages:

• Best-paid jobs (€80-200)
• Less competition
• Business customers

Limitations:

• High fuel consumption
• Hard to park in city
• May require commercial license (>3.5t)

Estimated income: €1,500-4,000/month (full-time)

📋 Mandatory Legal Requirements

Valid Driver's License

Minimum requirements:

• ✅ Standard license (cars up to 3.5t)
• ✅ Valid (not expired)
• ✅ Issued in your country or recognized internationally
• ✅ No administrative suspension

Special permits:

• Van >3.5t: May require commercial license
• Trailer >750kg: May require additional endorsement
• Goods transport: Generally not needed (not commercial transport)

Vehicle Insurance

Required by law:

• ✅ Liability insurance (legal minimum)
• ✅ Policy in force
• ✅ Vehicle in your name or authorized to drive

Highly recommended:

• 🔶 Comprehensive insurance
• 🔶 Transported goods coverage
• 🔶 Roadside assistance

Vehicle Inspection

Requirements:

• ✅ Vehicle inspection current (not expired)
• ✅ Vehicle in adequate technical condition
• ✅ No serious defects

Inspection frequency (varies by country):

• Vehicles <4 years: May not require
• Vehicles 4-10 years: Every 2 years
• Vehicles >10 years: Annual

Vehicle Documentation

Always carry:

• 📄 Registration
• 📄 Technical card
• 📄 Insurance policy
• 📄 Insurance payment receipt (last payment)
• 📄 Inspection certificate (if applicable)

🛡️ Insurance: Complete Guide

Insurance Types

Liability Insurance (Required)

Covers:

• ✅ Damage to other vehicles
• ✅ Injury to people
• ✅ Property damage

Does NOT cover:

• ❌ Damage to your vehicle
• ❌ Theft of your vehicle
• ❌ Transported objects

Price: €300-600/year Sufficient?: Only if your vehicle is worth <€3,000

Extended Liability

Covers:

• ✅ Everything from basic liability
• ✅ Vehicle theft
• ✅ Fire
• ✅ Windows
• ✅ Roadside assistance

Does NOT cover:

• ❌ Own damage from accident
• ❌ Transported objects

Price: €400-800/year Sufficient?: Reasonable intermediate option

Comprehensive Insurance

Covers:

• ✅ Everything above
• ✅ Damage to your vehicle (even if your fault)
• ✅ Vandalism
• ✅ Weather events

Price: €600-1,500/year Sufficient?: Recommended for active helpers

Goods Coverage

What is it? Additional insurance covering objects you transport.

Do I need it?

• Yes if transporting high-value objects (>€500)
• Yes if doing moves frequently
• No if only recycling or low-value objects

Price: €50-200/year additional

Alternative: ReciGo has basic insurance included (up to €500 per job)

How to Inform Your Insurer

Step 1: Call your insurer

"Hi, I occasionally use my vehicle to transport items 
for individuals through a digital platform. Is this 
covered by my current policy?"

Step 2: Possible responses

Response A: "Yes, it's covered"

• ✅ Perfect, request written confirmation

Response B: "You need to add commercial coverage"

• 🔶 Ask additional cost
• 🔶 Evaluate if it's worth it

Response C: "We don't cover commercial use"

• ❌ Change insurers
• ❌ Find one that does cover it

Step 3: Document

• Save email/letter confirmation
• Update your policy if necessary

🔧 Vehicle Condition and Maintenance

Minimum Condition Requirements

Your vehicle must be:

• ✅ Clean (interior and exterior)
• ✅ Without strong odors
• ✅ Cargo space empty and organized
• ✅ Tires in good condition
• ✅ Lights working
• ✅ Brakes in good condition

Recommended Maintenance

Weekly:

• Clean interior (vacuum, remove trash)
• Check tires (pressure, wear)
• Clean windows

Monthly:

• Wash exterior
• Check levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid)
• Deep clean cargo area

Annual:

• Complete mechanical check
• Oil change
• Inspection (if due)

📦 Recommended Equipment

Basic (Essential)

• 🧤 Work gloves (€5-10)
• 📦 Blankets or bubble wrap (€15-30)
• 🔦 Flashlight (€10-20)
• 🧹 Small broom and dustpan (€8-15)
• 🪢 Tie-down straps or ropes (€10-20)

Total investment: €50-100

Intermediate (Very Useful)

• 🛒 Folding hand truck (€30-60)
• 🧰 Basic toolbox (€20-40)
• 🦺 Reflective vest (€5-10)
• 📱 Phone mount for GPS (€10-20)
• 🔋 Car phone charger (€10-15)

Total investment: €75-145

Advanced (Professional)

• 🚚 Loading ramp (€80-150)
• 📦 Reusable plastic boxes (€40-80)
• 🧰 Complete tool set (€50-100)
• 📷 Dashcam (€50-150)
• 🧯 Fire extinguisher (€20-40)

Total investment: €240-520

💰 Operating Costs

Profitability Calculation

Example: Medium car (Golf, Focus)

Fixed monthly costs:

• Insurance: €50/month
• Inspection: €5/month (€60/year)
• Maintenance: €30/month
• Total fixed: €85/month

Variable costs per job:

• Fuel: €3-10 (depending on distance)
• Wear: €2-5
• Total variable: €5-15/job

Break-even point:

• With 6-10 jobs/month you cover fixed costs
• From job #11 onwards is net profit

Profitability example:

20 jobs/month × €30 average = €600 gross
- ReciGo commission (15%): -€90
- Fixed costs: -€85
- Variable (20×€8): -€160
────────────────────────────────
NET PROFIT: €265/month

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Articles

• Getting Started as Helper
• Optimizing Your Profile
• How to Accept and Complete Jobs
• Helper Commissions Explained

Last updated: January 31, 2026

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