How To Become a Deliveroo Driver

This side hustle at a glance

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast – How to Become a Deliveroo Driver.

Transcript available below.

Among the many side hustles available today in the UK, being a driver for food delivery apps remains a popular option. You have plenty of control over your time and the amount of effort you put into this job. In addition, the only major skill set you need is the ability to drive. 

Alongside Just Eat and Uber Eats, Deliveroo is one of the most well-known food delivery companies, with their drivers standing out thanks to their egg-blue uniforms. More than that, Deliveroo is one of the most trusted services in the industry, especially in the UK. It’s no wonder that many people want to become a Deliveroo delivery driver.

How do you become a food delivery courier? What are the things you need to have and the skills you must possess to qualify as a rider? This blog post will dive deeper into the process of becoming a Deliveroo delivery driver. Read on to learn more.

table of contents

• What Is Deliveroo?
• How Can You Work With Deliveroo?
• How Much Do Deliveroo Drivers Earn?
• Booking Work Slots With Deliveroo
• Requirements for Becoming a Deliveroo Delivery Driver in the UK
• How To Apply To Be a Deliveroo Delivery Driver
• Deliveroo Start-Up Costs
• Tax Considerations
• Working as a Deliveroo Driver: Pros and Cons
• FAQs
• Final Thoughts
• Real-world Insight
  

Deliveroo is a food delivery service that began in 2013. The company is based in London, but it has since spread to other territories like Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Using the Deliveroo mobile app or website, a customer can order food from a wide range of local restaurants, fast food chains, and eateries. A recent update also allows you to shop for groceries.



Drivers serve as the middlemen between the customer and the business. They pick up the food or grocery items and deliver them right to the buyer’s doorstep. For this service, the driver earns compensation.

You will need to work as an “independent contractor” if you want to become a Deliveroo delivery driver. In other words, you won’t be an official employee. You will be a self-employed individual who manages your own time and where you work. There are work slots, but we will discuss that in a bit.



In a way, Deliveroo simply works as a platform where you can find delivery opportunities. Still, you will need to pass an application process and meet the proper requirements to begin using the app. 

Since Deliveroo doesn’t publicly publish their rates for drivers, we can look at reviews from previous drivers. Data from Indeed indicates that you could earn an average of £14 per hour, and the range starts from £6 and maxes out at £19.

Since you’re an independent contractor, Deliveroo will pay you on a per-drop basis. You will only earn for every delivery you make. Past drivers say that the average rate is either £3 or £4 per drop. You will need to make four to five drops each per hour to reach the average.

✅ Check out our in-depth comparison of food delivery driver earnings in the UK across top platforms like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats. Find out which app offers the best hourly rates, benefits, and opportunities to maximise your income. 

One way to increase your delivery opportunities is by being smart when booking work slots. Work slots are how couriers reserve a certain time frame where they can make deliveries. 

Deliveroo has limited slots for each time period and location, so you will need to pre-register once the slots open. Your current statistics would govern your booking time. The higher your rating, the earlier you can reserve a slot. This model gives you the most flexibility, and it also helps you reserve peak hours, resulting in more drops.

key takeaway

To work with Deliveroo you must be aged 18 and have proof of right to work in the UK.

You can apply to be a Deliveroo driver (rider) via their website at https://riders.deliveroo.co.uk/en/apply.

Here are the steps you may need to follow before you can become a fully fledged Deliveroo delivery rider.

• Create Your Account: Download the app and create your rider account. 
• Start the Application Process: On the app or website, you can start the application process by clicking “Apply Now.” You will need to answer a few questions and submit the required documents.
• Deliveroo Will Verify Your Documents: Be patient. This step can take a few days to a week. In some cases and in certain locations, you may be required to undergo a background check.
• Training: Some locations also require training. You will need to attend these sessions, so you’ll be equipped with the skills for the courier role. 
• Approval: Once you’re done with all the necessary steps and Deliveroo accepts you, you can begin accepting orders.
  

As an independent contractor, you will need to handle the start-up costs of being a Deliveroo delivery rider. These include the following.

Petrol

Deliveroo doesn’t provide a fuel allowance, so you will need to shoulder this expense throughout.

Insurance

You will need coverage for your vehicle. This is a general requirement for anyone owning a car or motorcycle. 

Branded Uniform and Gear

These are one-time expenses for the branded Deliveroo delivery items. 

Other Driving Gear



You will handle expenses for thermal packs, smartphone docks, and other equipment.

If you become an independent contractor with Deliveroo, it's important to remember that you'll be classed as self-employed and be responsible for managing your own taxes.

Unlike traditional employment where income tax is automatically deducted, as a self-employed individual, you'll need to keep detailed records of your earnings and expenses. You will need to complete an annual Self Assessment tax return with HM Revenue and Customs, and pay Income Tax and National Insurance contributions accordingly.

It's advisable to set aside a percentage of your earnings to cover these tax obligations.

Consulting a Chartered Accountant can provide you with personalised advice and help you understand the tax implications more thoroughly.

✅ Read our comprehensive guide on side hustles and your tax obligations.

Being a Deliveroo courier has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Based on reviews from past drivers and available public information, here are some of what you can expect. 

Pros

• Higher average hourly income compared to other food delivery apps (see our detailed comparison of Deliveroo vs Just Eat vs Ubers Eats here)
• Control over your schedules
• Intuitive and easy-to-use app
• A steady stream of customers due to Deliveroo’s popularity 

Cons

• Low drop rates during slow hours and days
• Lack of substantial employment perks for independent (self-employed) contractors
• Responsible for paying your own tax and national insurance.
• Pressure from the rating system
  

Becoming a Deliveroo delivery driver is a great way to earn extra money, especially if you have lots of free time.

You’ll enjoy the flexible hours, excellent driver rates, and ability to reserve work slots. If you’re planning to apply, use the guide we shared above as a reference. For more details, please contact us today.

Before you go... becoming a Deliveroo delivery driver is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to food delivery side hustles in the UK. Much like ordering from a full menu, there are several other apps and opportunities to explore. Don't limit yourself to just one platform; diversifying could be the key to maximising your income.

Interested? Then you won't want to miss our next article, where we delve into the nitty-gritty of becoming a food delivery driver across multiple platforms. Get ready to find your perfect delivery fit and elevate your earning potential. Stay tuned!

BECOME A FOOD DELIVERY DRIVER

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk

One-Minute Podcast – How to Become a Deliveroo Driver

Welcome to the Sidehustles.co.uk One Minute Podcast. In the next 60 seconds, we're sharing a real-world insight from our network of seasoned side hustlers. This quick tip is designed to offer you practical advice that you can apply immediately in your side hustle journey.

Today, we're talking about becoming a Deliveroo delivery driver as a side hustle in the UK. One tip that can make a significant difference is smartly booking your work slots. Deliveroo operates on a limited-slot system, so time slots for deliveries get quickly taken up. Your ability to book these slots is based on your driver rating. The higher your rating, the earlier you can book. By maintaining a high rating, you can secure the most lucrative time slots, such as peak lunch and dinner hours, which means more deliveries and higher earnings for you. This can lead to a more profitable and efficient experience.

That's your one-minute real-world insight. Stay tuned for more!

https://deliveroo.co.uk/about-us 

https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-court-appeal-confirms-deliveroo-riders-are-self-employed-2021-06-24/ 

https://uk.indeed.com/cmp/Deliveroo/salaries 

https://riders.deliveroo.co.uk/en/support/new-riders/how-do-i-get-paid 

https://www.quora.com/How-do-you-maximize-Deliveroo-earnings 

https://riders.deliveroo.co.uk/en/apply