# AIM Transport Partners — Starting Blueprint

First concept edition • 30 October 2026
Practical business preparation from AIM Freight Ltd. Stephen Inns CMILT has operated in transport since 1999.

This is an educational starting checklist, not a promise of work, income or profit, and not personalised legal, tax, finance or insurance advice.

## 1. Define what you are building
- Decide whether you are exploring, preparing to launch or already operating.
- Write down your available working days, geographical area and home commitments.
- Define the customer need and vehicle types you are considering.
- Set a minimum amount you need the business to retain for your pay, while allowing for tax and savings.

## 2. Test a complete working month
- Estimate realistic revenue, including quieter days rather than assuming full utilisation.
- Count every mile: paid driving, empty positioning and returning home.
- Include fuel, vehicle payments, insurance, maintenance, tyres, parking, tolls, phone, accounts and platform fees.
- Plan for unpaid quoting, loading, waiting, administration, holidays and breakdowns.
- Keep VAT treatment consistent and discuss the appropriate approach with an accountant.
- Separate profit from cash: customers may pay after your bills fall due.
- Estimate a cash buffer. Decide what would cause you to pause or change the plan.

## 3. Choose a vehicle for the work
- Compare usable payload, internal dimensions, loading access and vehicle condition.
- If considering a tail lift, allow for its weight, maintenance and examination requirements.
- Obtain an independent inspection and check history before purchase.
- Compare total costs, deposit, mileage limits and early termination charges for any finance or rental proposal.
- Do not buy a vehicle solely on an assurance of work that is not contracted.

## 4. Prepare for professional advice
Accountant: ask about structure, bookkeeping, records, invoicing, tax, VAT and cash-flow planning. Check fees and the scope of service directly.

Authorised insurance broker: describe the vehicle, work, goods, operating area and subcontract arrangements accurately. Ask about hire-and-reward cover, goods in transit, liability cover, exclusions and excesses. Obtain advice on the cover appropriate to your actual work.

Check the licences and compliance requirements for the particular vehicle, weight, operating model and countries involved before starting. Do not assume UK van rules cover international work.

## 5. Create your operating routine
- Document customer and operator terms: price, load details, timings, waiting, cancellations, payment and responsibilities.
- Check load weight, dimensions, securing and suitability before accepting a job.
- Record collection, delivery, proof of delivery and customer updates.
- Invoice promptly, track due dates and follow up late payments.
- Have a breakdown and incident process. Know whom to contact and what evidence to keep.

## 6. Review your first 90 days
- Each week, compare forecast with actual miles, costs, time, invoicing and cash received.
- Identify customers, routes and job types that produce a worthwhile return.
- Revisit your minimum acceptable rate using real costs.
- Change one thing at a time before committing to another vehicle or bigger fixed costs.

## Questions to bring to Stephen
1. What am I overlooking in my start-up budget?
2. Does this vehicle shortlist suit the work and payload I am planning?
3. What would make this job unprofitable?
4. How much cash might I need while waiting for customers to pay?
5. Which business process should I improve first?

## Work Partner membership
One flat subscription: £250 per vehicle per month for daily work sourcing and practical business support, with no monthly job-count cap or higher subscription tier. No VAT added at checkout.

Job rates and payment terms are agreed separately before acceptance. AIM may retain a margin on work it arranges. Membership does not guarantee work, revenue or profit.

Cancel anytime, with no minimum term. Cancellation stops the next renewal; service continues until the end of the paid monthly period. Online payments are not yet enabled. Vehicle, fuel, insurance, accountancy and specialist adviser costs are separate.

Initial enquiries are free. Daily work sourcing is a paid service per vehicle, subject to operator approval and final terms. No subscription is created by enquiring.

Contact: stephen.aimfreight@gmail.com • 07790 777687 • www.aimfreight.co.uk