<?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>

