<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0001140361-03-004640
<TYPE>3
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>1
<PERIOD>20031126
<FILING-DATE>20031202
<ISSUER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>VELOCITY EXPRESS CORP
<CIK>0001002902
<ASSIGNED-SIC>4513
<IRS-NUMBER>870355929
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0629
</COMPANY-DATA>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>7803 GLENROY ROAD
<STREET2>FOUR PARAMOUNT PLAZA STE 200
<CITY>MINNEAPOLIS
<STATE>MN
<ZIP>55439
<PHONE>612-492-2400
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>7803 GLENROY ROAD
<STREET2>SUITE 200
<CITY>MINNEAPOLIS
<STATE>MN
<ZIP>55439
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>UNITED SHIPPING & TECHNOLOGY INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19990512
</FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>U SHIP INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19960313
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</ISSUER>
<REPORTING-OWNER>
<OWNER-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>BET ASSOCIATES LP
<CIK>0001063711
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>DE
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1231
</OWNER-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>3
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>000-28452
<FILM-NUMBER>031033544
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>3101 PHILMONT AVENUE
<CITY>HUNTINGTON VALLEY
<STATE>PA
<ZIP>19006
<PHONE>2159635060
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>3101 PHILMONT AVENUE
<CITY>HUNTINGDON
<STATE>PA
<ZIP>19006
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</REPORTING-OWNER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-11-26</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001002902</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VELOCITY EXPRESS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>VEXP</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001063711</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BET ASSOCIATES LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>3103 PHILMONT AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HUNTINGDON VALLEY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19006</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>0</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<derivativeTable>
<derivativeHolding>
<securityTitle>
<value>Series I Convertible Preferred Stock</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice>
<value>0.15</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<exerciseDate>
<value>1988-08-08</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate>
<value>1988-08-08</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity>
<underlyingSecurityTitle>
<value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares>
<value>4166660</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value></value>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeHolding>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F1">Conversion of Series I Convertible Preferred Stock into Common Stock requires stockholder approval.</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">None.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<remarks>The derivative security is not yet convertible and will not be convertible within sixty (60) days.</remarks>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>Bruce E. Toll, as sole member of BRU Holdings Co., LLC, General Partner of BET Associates, L.P.</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-01</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
