Riders and Drivers Associates was set up in 2004 to provide an identity and resource for the thousands of self-employed courier riders and drivers who previously had only themselves to rely on for support and assistance. It is a branch of The Despatch Association*, the trade association for the courier industry.

Conditions for motorcycle and van driver couriers have deteriorated dramatically over the last few years. New taxes such as congesting charging, rising operating costs in insurance and fuel especially, debilitating and often unannounced road repairs, the costly need to keep pace with the latest technological developments - these are just some of the factors that leave self-employed riders and drivers increasingly out-of-pocket and up-against-it just trying to make a living.

And yet more and more are choosing to become couriers. Why? Because it is a needed service. This makes it all the more unacceptable that riders and drivers have no one to speak up for them and why Riders and Drivers Associates was created.

By joining RDA, you get:

• a list of recommended insurance brokers
• regular newsletters keeping you informed about the industry
• a model letter for appealing incorrectly issued parking tickets
• to promote yourself as belonging to a national association that stands for quality
• a sense of belonging and a voice
• notification of occasional special deals and offers

Membership costs £58.75 incl. VAT a year.

To join, just complete the RDA Membership Application Form and return it with your remittance, along with a Letterhead if you have one, to the RDA address on the form.

Become a Riders and Drivers Associate now and help ensure your future.

* The Despatch Association has represented courier companies since 1985. Its 'Terms and Conditions of Business' are registered with the Office of Fair Trading and it authored The Courier Code, the code of practice recognised by The Department for Transport. Our mission is to safeguard and preserve the courier industry, to be the representative body of the courier industry to government and to promote the image of the industry. Our aim is to support our members while raising standards in the industry.