Being a delivery rider can be a great, flexible way to earn some extra money while spending more time on your bike.   

However, before you start delivery riding it’s important to make sure you have a solid understanding of the skills you’ll need to succeed, the pros and cons of the role and how much you can expect to earn.  

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to working as a delivery rider, packed with the key information you’ll need to get started, as well as advice on choosing the right delivery app for you.   

So, without further ado, let’s get into it!  

The key responsibilities of a delivery rider include:  

You’ll be offered orders through your delivery app of choice, which you’ll need to accept.   

As a rider, you’ll need to locate the restaurant, present your order confirmation and collect the packaged order.  

Using the delivery app’s navigation, you’ll need to deliver the order to the customer’s address in a timely manner.   

You may need to communicate with customers to resolve any issues with the delivery or clarify details.   

If delivering age-restricted items like alcohol, you’ll need to check the customer’s ID to verify their age.   

Delivery riders are responsible for keeping their vehicle running smoothly, and handling any repair costs.   

There are a few key skills you'll want to build up as a delivery rider. These include:

You’ll have to make deliveries quickly and efficiently, often in busy traffic, so you’ll need to feel confident on your bike.   

When managing multiple deliveries at once, you’ll need good organisational and time management skills to take on as many deliveries as you can and maximise your potential earnings.   

Although the app you use will have navigation tools to help you get to the customer’s address, knowing your way around can help you get there more efficiently and help you feel more confident on your bike.   

When managing multiple deliveries at once, you’ll need good organisational and time management skills to take on as many deliveries as you can and maximise your potential earnings.   

Although the app you use will have navigation tools to help you get to the customer’s address, knowing your way around can help you get there more efficiently and help you feel more confident on your bike.   

You’ll be regularly communicating with restaurants and customers, so building up good communication and customer service skills can make things easier for you and increase your likelihood of getting tips.   

To become a delivery rider through an app like Deliveroo, JustEat or UberEats, you’ll need to apply directly through their websites. This application will check your eligibility, and you may potentially need to undergo a background check.   

The requirements for delivery riding can vary depending on the app, but you’ll typically need:   

• Access to a motorcycle or scooter.  
• A valid CBT or motorcycle licence.  
• To be at least eighteen years old.  
• Suitable delivery rider insurance.   

There’s a few different delivery riding apps out there – JustEat, Deliveroo and UberEats being the most prominent ones – and while they share many similarities, there are key differences that could impact the amount of money you can make...  

The most popular delivery apps for riders tend to be Deliveroo, JustEat and UberEats.   

Out of these three, there’s no definitive answer about which is the best, but depending on your lifestyle one may be significantly better suited to you than another. 

App presence in your area  –  Some restaurants will only use one delivery app, so it’s a good idea to try out multiple delivery apps to figure out which is the most prominent in your town or city.   

Flexibility – Delivery apps typically allow you work as and when, but JustEat sets a schedule based on rider availability. This can reduce competition between riders and ensure they’re able to meet customer demand, so may be worth considering if you know your availability in advance.   

Earning potential – While pay on any delivery app is variable, UberEats’ Surge Pricing (allowing you to earn more in busier periods) means you may be able to earn slightly more with them compared to other delivery apps.   

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a delivery rider is between £19,000 and £29,000 a year. However, this can depend on a range of factors, including the hours you work, the amount of tips you’re receiving and the cost of running your vehicle.   

You’ll keep 100% of the tips you make on any delivery – so brushing up on your customer service skills can give your earnings a significant boost!  

You’ll also be paid a delivery fee per order, but the amount of time you’ll be paid for depends on the app. For example, UberEats will pay a pick up fee, drop off fee and standard rate per mile (variable depending on location). Meanwhile, Deliveroo will pay you a fee of between £2.90 and £6 per delivery, which is calculated based on a range of factors.   

As peak delivery times are evenings and weekends, delivery riding is great to do part time. While you should still be able to take orders outside of peak times they will be fewer and further between, so your earnings will be lower for those times.   

Whether or not delivery riding is a good fit for you is hugely dependent on a range of different factors. These are some of the key considerations to take into account.

Being a delivery rider definitely comes with its perks. Here are a few:  

As a delivery rider, you’ll be able to work the hours that best suit you, making it a great job to do alongside education, another job or any other obligations.   

Some apps (such as JustEat) may require you to give your availability in advance, while others will allow you more freedom in choosing when you work – meaning you’ll be able to fit the job around your life and schedule.   

If you’ve got a little free time in the evenings, delivery work could be a great way to boost your earnings The opportunity to set your own hours also makes this a lot more flexible than a part time job, if you need something that works alongside other responsibilities.  

If you’re someone who loves spending long hours on their bike, then delivery riding might be perfect for you. Plus, spending more time outdoors can improve your mood, boost your immune system and even reduce symptoms of depression.   

As a delivery rider, you’ll need to be in constant communication with restaurants and customers. You’ll be greeting customers, handling complaints and coordinating deliveries with restaurants and (in the case of larger deliveries) other riders.   

These interactions can help you build up your customer service skills, giving you valuable experience for any future work.  

However, you’ll have the opportunity to work on more than just your communication skills. You’ll also develop skills like time management, navigation, organisation and the ability to work independently – all of which are transferrable skills useful to a wide range of careers.   

Becoming an independent contractor for a delivery riding app is a relatively straightforward process. Typically, it will take a few days for your initial application to be processed (although this may be longer in busier periods). Once you’ve been approved, you’ll need to order your kit and complete a training session. This whole process should take around two weeks, although it can take up to two months.   

While being a delivery rider can be a great way to earn some extra cash, there are also some drawbacks that you need to take into consideration. These include:   

When delivering through an app like UberEats, Deliveroo or JustEat, you will need to cover the costs of your bike. This includes expenses like fuel, vehicle maintenance and your MOT, as well as delivery rider insurance, income tax and phone costs.   

These costs can cut into your earnings significantly, with some riders reporting that there have been times where they’ve earned as little as £2 an hour after expenses.   

The amount you can earn as a delivery rider will depend wholly on the amount of people actually placing deliveries.   

Typically, people tend to use delivery apps more in the colder months, when the weather is worse and going to a restaurant feels a bit less appealing. This means that in the summer and on sunnier days people are less likely to be order food, so you might earn less money during that time.   

As you’ll be using your bike a lot more as a delivery rider, it’ll likely need more frequent maintenance. You can read our guide to DIY motorcycle maintenance to help you save a little bit of money when keeping your bike running smoothly.   

As a delivery rider, you’ll be moving constantly, and need to rely on core, arm and leg strength to maintain balance and control your bike. You’ll also have to carry heavy deliveries and walk up flights of stairs when delivering to an apartment – which can add up over the course of a shift and end up feeling quite strenuous.   

While you will be communicating with restaurants and customers, most of the time you’ll be working on your own. If you want to feel more connected to other delivery riders, you can join online forums or local delivery riding groups.  

When delivering for an app such as JustEat, UberEats or Deliveroo, you will be classed as self-employed and therefore have to file your own taxes if earning above £1000. If you’ve never filed a tax return before, you’ll need to register for self-assessment by the 5th of October, and keep records so you can fill in your tax return correctly.   

While your earnings as a delivery rider will never be predictable, there are strategies you can use to try and increase your earnings.   

When deciding which deliveries to accept, it’s best to go for the ones you can complete quickly. This means choosing shorter delivery distances, picking up multiple orders from the same restaurant and avoiding traffic-heavy routes and restaurants with slow processing (which you’ll be able to pick up through trial and error). Plus, getting to customers faster may increase the amount of tips you receive.  

As a delivery rider, you can use multiple delivery apps at the same time to help you increase the number of orders you can take on.   

However, it’s best to not accept multiple deliveries from different apps at the same time, as doing so can delay your delivery speed and may lead to your account being suspended. You’ll also want to check the terms and conditions of the delivery app you’re using before multi-apping to ensure it’s allowed on that platform.   

Typically, peak hours for delivery apps tend to be meal times, and Friday and Saturday nights. Working during these times means you’re likely to be offered more deliveries and spend less time waiting around.   

 So, there you have it. I hope you found this delivery riding article helpful.   

If you’re interested in becoming a delivery rider it’s important to make sure you have the correct insurance – so don’t forget that you can get a specialist delivery rider insurance quotation direct with Lexham!