Know the empty leg before you quote the outward job
Empty miles often start at quoting. If you price an outward delivery assuming a mythical return that does not exist, the job only pays when luck appears on the day. Prefer quoting the outward movement on its own merits, then look for return work with a time buffer.
Match work to the vehicle you actually have on the road
A transporter truck, a trade plate run and a multi-car compound job have different backload shapes. Driven cars cannot pick up a second vehicle. A loaded transporter can sometimes add a space — only if height, weight and insurance allow it.
- Write down the empty origin, destination and latest useful collect time
- Only hunt work inside a realistic detour
- Keep a buffer if the first collection often overruns
- Assign the returning driver (or crew) before you accept the backload
Make spare capacity visible
A return that only exists in the driver’s head cannot be quoted. If you have leftover space or an empty run, list it as return or subcontract work with real postcodes and windows. Other operators — and dealers with vehicles on that path — can only use capacity they can see.
Reducing empty miles is operational discipline. It is not a published VMove statistic, and it is not guaranteed on every route.
Related on VMove
Use VMove return jobs and listed spare capacity when you have a known empty route. Do not treat every dealer movement as a backload.
Common questions
Should I underquote the first job hoping for a backload?
No. Price the committed movement. Treat the backload as extra if — and only if — the first job still completes on time.
Where do I look for return work on VMove?
Use the transporter flow for open movements and return jobs. The public backload page explains the use case; the work itself lives in the platform after you register.
Continue with all vehicle movement guides.