How to become a food delivery driver
To become a food delivery driver in the UK, you’ll need a valid driving licence, your own transport, hire and reward insurance cover, and to sign up for one of the UK’s popular delivery services like Uber Eats or Deliveroo.
Whether this becomes your full-time profession or a side hustle to earn extra money, becoming a food courier or driver can be a lucrative business.
Find out all there is to know in SimplyQuote’s latest guide to becoming your own boss (with your own schedule) today!
What does it take to be a food delivery driver in the UK?
Becoming a food delivery driver – or food courier – in the UK isn’t as quick and easy as you might assume. Here are a few essential requirements you need to know before hitting the streets:
- Be 18+ years old.
- Have a valid driving licence for the type of vehicle you drive (e.g. scooter, car, van).
- Have the required safety gear for operating scooters, mopeds, or motorbikes (e.g. helmets)
- Have the appropriate vehicle insurance cover for delivering food (along with a Motor Insurance Certificate).
- Set up a food courier account with the relevant platform/s (e.g. Uber Eats).
- Own a smartphone with reliable internet connectivity.
- Be able to legally live and work in the United Kingdom.
- Have a clean driving record and pass the background screening checks.
Once you’ve ticked these off your list, it’s time to decide which food delivery platform you want to partner with.
Bonus read: How To Get An Insurance Certificate For Fast Food Delivery Work.
Looking for cheap food delivery insurance? Get your quote today!
Get QuotesHow do I choose the right food delivery platform?
Let’s take a closer look at the best food delivery platforms in the UK so you can make a more informed decision:
- Just Eat Takeaway – this Danish startup is the most popular UK online food ordering and delivery platform. It held an impressive 67% UK market share in 2023, generating a staggering 245 million orders from 18 million active customers!
- Deliveroo – this UK-based company came in second place, with a 58% market share and a 2.7% revenue increase (£2 billion) in 2023.
- Uber Eats – this American startup came in third place with 48% of UK online food delivery consumers opting for its services in 2023.
- Stuart – founded in 2015, it offers all types of delivery services, from retail parcels to food.
- Bolt Food – not as widely known as the previous examples, this five-year-old company now operates in multiple locations across Europe and Africa.
The application process
The application process as a food courier is generally straightforward and quite similar across various platforms.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Choose your delivery platform. As mentioned above, popular options in the UK include Just Eat, Deliveroo and Uber Eats. Each company might have slightly different requirements and registration processes.
- Download the company’s app via your mobile phone (App or Google Play Store) and set up your food courier account. You’ll need to provide a few basic details such as your name, age, location, and mode of transport.
- Provide the required documents. This usually includes your UK driving licence, proof to legally work in the UK, previous experience (if applicable), bank account details, information about your own vehicle and potentially a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background check.
- Complete any online training modules. Each delivery platform has a unique onboarding process. They might cover topics like food and road safety, customer service, and how to use their mobile phone delivery app.
- You’re ready to hit the road, start delivering and get paid!
Note: Most companies will provide protective clothing and/or uniforms, branded delivery bags and round-the-clock support. However, you will likely be liable for these expenses if you operate as an independent contractor. Do confirm these finer details when enquiring about the job.
Once you’ve picked the platform you want, the next step is to decide on your mode of transport as a food courier.
What type of delivery vehicle should you choose to deliver food?
The type of vehicle you choose is essential for travelling between multiple locations quickly and efficiently. Luckily, when you sign up as a food courier in the UK, you can generally use any type of transportation.
Here’s a quick breakdown of factors vs ideal vehicle:
| Factor | Ideal Vehicle(s) |
|---|---|
| Frequent Deliveries | Car, Scooter, Motorcycle |
| Occasional Deliveries | Bicycle, Scooter, Car |
| Cities | Bicycle, Scooter |
| Suburban/Rural Areas | Car, Van |
| High Fitness Level | Bicycle |
| Comfort and Weather Protection | Car, Van, Scooter |
| Limited Parking | Bicycle, Scooter, Motorcycle |
Let’s take a closer look:
Bicycles and E-bikes
Best for: Short, inner-city deliveries.
- Bicycles are the cheapest option but have a limited range and delivery capacity.
- E-bikes provide pedal-assisted power to cover longer distances.
Scooters, mopeds and motorbikes
Best for: Navigating heavy traffic in urban areas.
- More economical to buy and run than cars.
- Scooters with attached storage boxes can hold insulated food bags and allow hands-free delivery straight to the customer’s door.
Cars
Best for: Most comfortable and safest option for food delivery.
- Cover wider areas.
- Keeps food hotter for longer.
- Have higher maintenance and running costs compared to other options on our list.
Vans and trucks
Best for: Large food deliveries (e.g. catering services).
- You can operate vans and small trucks (up to 3.5 tonnes) – Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter vans – with your standard UK driving licence.
- However, you’ll need a specific Category C1 Licence to drive vans weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes.
Expert insight: Read about the different vehicle licence categories on the government website.
What influences my choice of delivery vehicle?
Let’s look at a couple of factors that will influence the choice of delivery vehicle you decide to use.
Food delivery frequency
- Frequent: If you plan on delivering food frequently throughout the year, a car or small van might be the most practical option. They offer weather protection and allow you to carry more deliveries at once.
- Occasional: Seasonal or part-time delivery drivers, travelling short distances could consider scooters, mopeds, bicycles (or their own car!) as a low-cost option. These are perfect for navigating busy city streets when out delivering food.
Your local area
- Urban: Opting for scooters or bicycles in densely populated cities with heavy peak-hour traffic may be your best bet. These agile options allow you to weave through congested areas with ease.
- Rural: Van or car drivers get from A to B quicker than a food courier on a bicycle, especially in the countryside. These vehicles allow you to travel further and carry more deliveries in rural areas.
Other factors
- Running costs: Factor in fuel, maintenance and insurance costs to find an option that suits your budget.
- Storage: Consider where you’ll store or park your vehicle when not in use.
What type of insurance do you need as a food delivery driver?
It’s a legal requirement to have the correct vehicle insurance to drive on UK roads, whether you are using a car, scooter, or van, for personal or business purposes.
By law, you must have at least third-party (TPO) cover. This protects you against third-party claims should you injure someone or damage their property while on duty.
To recap, you’ll need:
- A valid UK driving licence
- Food delivery or hire and reward insurance (not excluding food delivery)
- Certificate of Motor Insurance
- You’ll also need standard social, domestic and pleasure (SD&P) insurance if you use a personal vehicle for fast food deliveries. Standard car insurance does not cover food deliveries.
Bonus read: What Insurance Do I Need For Uber Eats?
Types of food courier insurance in the UK
There are three main types of food delivery insurance available, namely:
- Pay-as-you-go – a flexible option for part-time/casual delivery drivers not exceeding 20 hours per week. As the name suggests, you’ll only pay when out on delivery.
- 30-day – a short-term insurance option for seasonal delivery drivers that is adjusted around your delivery schedule. It is charged in monthly instalments.
- Annual – long-term cover for full-time food delivery drivers. It generally includes SD&P insurance. You can pay in one upfront (annual) payment or monthly instalments.
Now that we’ve covered the nitty gritty details, let’s take a quick glance at what it means to be a successful food courier.
How to be a successful food delivery driver?
Become a successful food courier by following these steps:
Master the app
Become familiar with the ins and outs of the delivery app you’re using. This includes navigating the interface efficiently, understanding how to accept and manage deliveries, and how to use GPS effectively to find optimal routes.
Customer care counts
Be polite and professional in all your interactions with customers. A friendly smile, positive attitude and good communication skills can go a long way in earning good ratings (and potentially higher tips!).
Maths skills
Cash handling can be a major part of the job and incorrect working out of change can leave a bitter taste in your customers’ mouth.
By following these tips and consistently making customer service a top priority, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful food delivery driver in the UK!
Know your local area
Familiarise yourself with your delivery area. Knowing shortcuts, high-traffic zones and parking options can significantly improve your delivery efficiency.
Time is money
Develop excellent time management skills. Prioritise deliveries based on distance and estimated times to ensure prompt customer service.
Final thoughts
Craving freedom, flexibility and the chance to earn good money? Becoming a food courier in the UK could be your perfect recipe for success!
This guide has equipped you with the knowledge to navigate the application process, choose the ideal vehicle and develop the skills to build a lucrative career on your own terms.
Remember, success hinges on efficiency, customer care, and knowing your local delivery routes. Use SimplyQuote’s free online comparison tool to find the best food courier insurance deals from top-class UK insurers that align with your budget and needs.
Happy delivering!
Frequently Asked Questions
Earnings vary depending on how many hours you work, the platform you work for, and customer tips.
- Deliveroo drivers = £10.86 per hour
- Just Eat Takeaway drivers = £11 per hour
- Uber Eats drivers = between £7 and £14 per hour
People don’t usually tip food delivery drivers in the UK because it’s not expected like it would be in sit-down restaurants or eateries. Customers already pay an additional delivery fee. However, it’s entirely up to them if they want to tip you via the driver app.
Here’s a rough estimation of food delivery insurance costs in the UK:
- Pay-as-you-go insurance = £0.80 per hour
- Monthly policy = £110 – £150 per month
- Annual policy = £650 – £1,200 per year