Become a courier

Start a courier business. Build the operation as the work grows.

A practical route from your first self-employed delivery to a more organised courier business using Drive It for operations and Deliverate as an additional marketplace for suitable work.

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Step by step

From first job to growing courier business

1. Decide what you will carry

Choose the type of courier work that suits your vehicle, lifting ability and availability. Furniture, bulky items, same-day work and business deliveries can all have different requirements.

2. Set up the business properly

Choose an appropriate self-employed or business structure, keep records and check the tax, insurance, licensing and regulatory requirements that apply to the work you plan to do.

3. Prepare the driver and vehicle documents

Drive It onboarding requires the relevant driving, vehicle and insurance evidence, including appropriate commercial or Hire & Reward cover and Goods in Transit insurance for the work where required.

4. Start with customers you can win yourself

Local businesses, repeat private customers and referrals can become the base of a courier business. Keep ownership of those relationships and add every job to one workflow.

5. Make the service look professional

Use booking records, route planning, customer tracking and digital proof of delivery so customers receive a more organised experience from quote to completion.

6. Add marketplace work

Once approved, use Deliverate to review suitable customer delivery requests. Treat marketplace work as an additional channel rather than assuming it will provide a guaranteed income.

7. Grow without losing control

As work increases, use routes, driver-network cover and clearer job records to take on more deliveries without returning to scattered messages and spreadsheets.

The operating stack

The tools become more useful as the business grows

Booking software: keep your own customer jobs in one place.

Route planning: organise the working day instead of managing every stop individually.

Tracking: give customers supported delivery visibility rather than repeated status calls.

Digital POD: keep recipient details, photos and signatures with the job.

Marketplace: use Deliverate as another route to suitable work while keeping your direct customers.

Important

Build a real business, not a promise of earnings

Drive It and Deliverate do not guarantee jobs, customers or earnings. A courier business still needs suitable insurance, compliant working practices, sensible pricing, reliable service and its own customer acquisition.

This guide is operational information, not tax, legal or insurance advice. Check the requirements that apply to your business, vehicle and the goods you carry.

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