Is it worth becoming a self-employed courier in 2024?
Working for yourself as a self-employed courier can be worth it. The job has many benefits as you can set your own hours, enjoy a stable work-life balance and make good money.
However, with the flexibility comes a lot of challenges, including dealing with your own expenses, managing your own time and getting the right insurance.
Read on as SimplyQuote uncovers the benefits and downsides of working as a self-employed courier driver and how to ensure it is worth it.
How much do self-employed couriers earn?
The amount a self-employed courier driver will earn varies based:
- Location
- How often deliveries are made
- The type of packages being delivered
- Rates charged
However, on average, a self-employed delivery driver can earn over £1,200 a week.
To be a successful self-employed courier, you need to build up a loyal customer base and a good reputation to get repeat work.
How to maximise your income as a self-employed courier
Let’s discuss how self-employed drivers can boost their income, especially when first starting out:
- Use a courier network: Courier networks, like Courier Exchange, can help you find work and start building your customer base. You can build relationships with loyal customers and get your services out there.
- Focus on your reputation: You want to offer consistent, good and reliable services. Always deliver your packages on time, handle them with care, and proactively communicate with your clients. This will ensure you are remembered and contacted the next time a previous customer needs a package delivered.
- Work on your skills: There are plenty of skills you can develop to transform you into a better courier driver. This includes driving courses, social media marketing, staying on top of industry trends and customer communications. The better you are at the job, the more you’ll earn.
- Network with other couriers: Attend industry events where you can network with other drivers and courier companies. If they’re overloaded with work, they might offer you a temporary job to do some deliveries for them.
Looking for self-employed courier Insurance? Get your quote today!
Get QuotesWhat are the advantages and disadvantages of being a self-employed delivery driver?
Although there are many benefits of self-employment, there are also a couple of challenges that you should consider when deciding whether it is worth it.
What are the advantages of being a self-employed courier?
The advantages of being self-employed as a courier driver include:
- Flexible schedule: You can decide when and for how long you want to work, allowing you to establish a healthy work-life balance. Taking time off for family commitments or hobbies is easy.
- Good earning potential: You’re able to make a comfortable living if you’re willing to put in the hours. Self-employed couriers can make over £1,000 a week, making it a great option for someone looking for flexible work with good earning potential.
- Becoming your own boss: You are completely in control of your own courier company, and get to make all the decisions about when to work and who to work for.
- More time off: As you don’t have any set hours or working days, you can take time off whenever you want – without having to ask a manager first!
- Extra money over busy periods: You can earn almost double your usual income over busy periods, like Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
What are the disadvantages of being a self-employed courier?
There are two sides to every coin, and you should be aware of the challenges of being a self-employed courier before deciding whether it is worth it:
- You’re responsible for all the costs: As your own boss, you have to purchase and maintain your own vehicle, take out your own courier insurance, and pay for your own fuel. These expenses can quickly add up, especially if you don’t have a lot of customers yet.
- No job security: You don’t have guaranteed income each week/month. You have to find your own work through networks or delivery platforms, which can vary based on customer demand. If there’s no work, you don’t get paid.
- No employee benefits: Self-employment means you don’t get to enjoy employee benefits as you would if you worked for a courier business. You’ll have to take care of your own taxes, pension and health care.
- Physical demands: Courier jobs can be physically demanding if you have to lift and transport heavy packages. Courier drivers will also spend a lot of time behind a steering wheel or on a motorbike which can be painful if they’re not used to it.
- No paid leave: Although a courier driver can take a holiday whenever they want, they won’t be paid for the time off.
How do you overcome the challenges of working as a self-employed delivery driver?
Maintaining your delivery vehicle is crucial to avoid breakdowns and costly repairs. By limiting your mileage to local deliveries, you can reduce wear and tear on your vehicle and build a reputation with local clients.
Obtaining insurance ensures you’re legally compliant in the UK and provides financial protection for both yourself and the goods you’re transporting in case of an accident. Additionally, driving carefully reduces the risk of accidents and the need to make insurance claims, which can increase your premiums.
When doing deliveries, ensure you carry the necessary equipment, including a fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, high-vis jacket, and hazard warning triangle. Remaining professional and friendly when dealing with customers, even difficult ones, increases the likelihood of getting repeat work.
If you aim to work for a company as a self-employed courier, such as part-time for Uber Eats, carefully research different companies by asking around and reading reviews. Reflect on what you want from this job, whether it’s some extra cash working as a food delivery driver or a full-time gig delivering parcels for Amazon, and consider if you prefer working locally or delivering across the country.
Continuously improve by taking training courses on driving skills, navigation, social media management for marketing yourself, and communication skills. Understand the risks involved with becoming a courier driver, such as being involved in a road accident, lifting heavy items and getting injured, or dealing with disgruntled customers. Knowing these risks helps you be prepared for them.
In conclusion: Is it worth becoming a self-employed courier driver?
Yes, when you weigh up the pros, cons and earning potential, it is definitely worth it to become a self-employed courier.
Despite no solid income, once you build up your customer base, you can earn well if you’re willing to put in the hours. The flexibility is also a major benefit, especially if you have to schedule your work around other commitments.
Being your own boss comes with responsibilities, though, like getting your own courier insurance. Fortunately, SimplyQuote has made it simple by allowing you to quickly compare courier insurance quotes from the UK’s leading insurance providers – free, online, and with no commitments!
Frequently Asked Questions
Self-employed delivery drivers need courier insurance to legally work in the UK. They will also need a social, domestic & pleasure (SD&P) policy when using their vehicle for personal use.
A courier driver should get hire and reward insurance (a type of courier insurance) which covers:
- Public liability insurance
- Goods in transit insurance
- Personal accident cover
If you want to set your own hours but work for a reliable, well-paying company, consider these options:
- Uber Eats: £7 – £14 per hour
- CitySprint: £20 per hour
- Deliveroo: £14.20 per hour
- Hermes Europe: £9.95 – £12.64 per hour
- Yodel: £18 – £20 per hour
- DPD: £9.50 – £16.31 per hour
If you want to work as a self-employed courier, the easiest way is to first work for a courier company. This may seem contradictory, but you will be able to gain knowledge of the industry and how it works before you go off on your own.
From there, you can source your own clients either through a courier network or by marketing yourself.