What is Deliveroo and how do you become a Deliveroo cyclist or a driver?
Deliveroo is a British online (website and app) food delivery business in which people can order takeaway meals from selected restaurants that normally do not offer delivery services. The meal is delivered to the customer door within 30 minutes by a cyclist, scooter or motorbike rider. With around 20,000 self-employed couriers in 2017, the riders choose the area and date/time they want to work at, it all depends on their availability. For those who are looking for a flexible new job alternative or making extra money, becoming a Deliveroo rider can be a good and profitable option.
Things you will need to start riding.
- Proof of right to work in the UK
- Registering as a self-employed for HMRC
- A smartphone – iPhone (4S and above) or Android (4.3 and above)
- A scooter, motorbike or bicycle with the necessary safety equipment that includes phone holders, protective clothing, helmets and lights
What else you should know about working for Deliveroo.
- How to start riding?
Once you apply at Deliveroo’s website and download the app on your smartphone, you will be able to select the area where you would like to work. When it is done, you can check the orders made at the selected restaurants, pick them up and deliver to the addresses provided. The Deliverro’s app shows maps to help you find the routes.
- What equipment will you need?
To start working, you will need your own scooter, motorbike or bike and a smartphone.
The company requires you to buy the complete gear, which includes your Deliveroo backpack, fluorescent jacket, bike lights, helmets and phone holder, the delivery box and “branded stickers”.
- How much money can you make?
You will work as a self-employed rider with two options of payment – per hour or per order (new payment system). The amount earned depends on how much and in which days and times you work.
In June 2017, the company offered 3,000 of the riders the option of taking payment per delivery, reaching between £3.75 and £4 per trip, depending on the location in the UK. This option means earning an average of £12 per hour worked, compared with £9.50 for those who use the first hourly basis payment system plus £1 per delivery.
Attention: as a self-employed deliverer, you would need to fill out a tax return each year, declaring your earnings and paying Income Tax. Remember that your bike maintenance costs are tax-deductible, make sure to save all the receipts for later use.
- Which costs will you have?
You will have to pay a £150 deposit for the company gear that is deducted from your payment but will get it back when you leave the job.
As the bike will be your tool and way to earn money, it is recommendable to get a bike insurance to avoid any unexpected problems.
The bike maintenance cost is also completely yours, be aware that it can be more frequent as you move more. If you are planning to use as a scooter or a motorbike for the job then you have to factor in the petrol and maintenance costs. If you don’t have your own scooter then you can leases a scooter from Deliveroo to drivers for £250 per month
Tips for first shift with Deliveroo
Here is video: Tips For First Shift With Deliveroo by Deliveroo Rider who has many more informative videos on YouTube about becoming Deliveroo rider.
If you are planning to become a Deliveroo driver or you already work for Deliveroo please comment below with your questions or advice.
I am in between jobs myself. I am looking for any bit of work I can do so this sounds promising. I recently moved to a new area for a new job that fell through, Thankfully I have a savings set aside but I still need something until I find permanent work. I am going to look into this. I heard you can earn decent wages through this company.
Funny that I am reading this, I actually just got my own scooter. I am still in school but looking for work to pick up on soon. While I do still have a car, I hardly use it and my scooter has already proven to be a good investment for getting around, especially at my University. When I read about the upfront cost I thought this was a scam but since they indeed give it back, it seems worth it. It isn’t like one of the door to door scams where you invest a ton of money and are out 200 pounds or something. I am going to look more into this and maybe apply tomorrow!