Deliveroo
What is Deliveroo
Deliveroo delivers local restaurant and takeaway food to homes and businesses across towns and cities throughout the UK. Customers can order food from a wide range of chains and independent restaurants through an app or Deliveroo’s website.
Becoming a delivery driver/rider for Deliveroo: how does it work?
Deliveroo’s delivery drivers/ riders transport food in cars, on bicycles, cargo bikes, and scooters.
As a Deliveroo driver, you will be self-employed. This means that you can choose when you want to work, making it a great way to earn money in your spare time. You are able to manage your own deliveries via the Deliveroo Rider app, which is free to download from Google Play and the App Store.
Here’s how it works:
1. Log in to the Deliveroo Riders app and view local delivery opportunities. You will be able to see how much money you’ll receive for making the delivery before you accept the job.
2. Once you’ve accepted a delivery, the app will direct you to the restaurant. Once there, you’ll need to show the collection details to a member of staff.
3. Order collected? Great! The final stage is to deliver the food to the customer. Again, the app will suggest routes to the customer’s location.
Customers pay for their orders via the Deliveroo website/app, so you do not have to worry about dealing with cash.
What do I need to become a delivery driver/rider with Deliveroo?
To apply to become a delivery driver/rider with Deliveroo, you must:
- Be over the age of 18.
- Be able to provide proof of your self-employed right-to-work in the UK.
- Have access to your own licensed and insured car, bike, cargo bike, or scooter.
- Have appropriate safety equipment, such as a helmet; and
- Own a smartphone with iOS 13.6 / Android 6 or above.
Deliveroo provides its staff with free, visible, and breathable uniforms, although it’s not a mandatory requirement to wear them. As long as your kit meets safety requirements, you can wear what you like while making deliveries.
What are the benefits of working as a delivery driver/rider for Deliveroo?
There are a number of perks and benefits available to those working as a delivery driver/ rider for Deliveroo. Some of the possible benefits that you could be eligible for include:
- 25% off your bill at Pizza Express.
- A free hot or cold drink from Caffe Nero every day.
- 4p per litre off fuel at Shell.
- Access to over 700 free online courses through OpenClassrooms.
Once you’ve completed your first delivery on the Deliveroo Rider app, you’ll be sent an email which will include instructions on how to activate your account and access your perks.
How much money could I make as a delivery driver/rider for Deliveroo?
According to Indeed, the average salary for a delivery driver/rider working for Deliveroo is £14.78 per hour, although this will vary depending on several factors, including the area you work in and when you choose to work (for example, evenings and weekends may be busier).
You will be paid weekly (every Tuesday). If you’d like your money sooner, you can request it via the app for a 50p fee.
Can I keep my tips as a Deliveroo driver/rider?
Deliveroo drivers/riders are entitled to keep 100% of their tips, although you will have to pay tax on these. We will cover this in more detail further down the page.
Apply to work for Deliveroo
Wondering how to apply to work for Deliveroo? You can start here.
Uber Eats
What is Uber Eats?
Originally solely serving London, Uber Eats launched in the UK in 2016. Manchester was the second UK city to have an Uber Eats presence, with the company branching out up north in February 2017.
Now, Uber Eats offers food deliveries to over 500 locations in the UK.
Becoming a delivery driver/rider for Uber Eats: how does it work?
It can take a couple of weeks for your Uber Eats application to be cleared, so it’s important to provide relevant documentation and complete the required checks as soon as you can to avoid unnecessary delays.
1. When you sign up to become a delivery driver/rider with Uber Eats, you’ll need to select the type of vehicle you’d like to use for your deliveries. This could be either a car, a motorbike, or a bicycle.
2. Provide the relevant documentation relating to your vehicle via the app or by signing into your Uber partners dashboard.
3. Next, you’ll be sent an email which will ask you to complete a background check. This will include a basic disclosure and right-to-work check.
What do I need to become a delivery driver/rider with Uber Eats?
The eligibility criteria to become an Uber Eats delivery driver/rider will vary depending on the type of transport you plan to use. We’ve broken down the requirements for each vehicle type below.
To be eligible to apply to make deliveries by car, you must be over the age of 18 and able to provide the following:
- A photo of the front and back of a current UK/EU driving licence;
- Your car insurance certificate, which must cover food delivery, or hire and reward not excluding food delivery;
- A DVLA electronic counterpart check code (for UK driving licences); and
- A bank statement issued within the last 3 months.
To be eligible to apply to make deliveries by any model of motorbike, you must be over the age of 18 and able to provide the following:
- A photo of the front and back of a current UK/EU driving licence, and your CBT certificate if you have a provisional licence;
- Your insurance certificate, which must cover food delivery, or hire and reward not excluding food delivery.
- A DVLA electronic counterpart check code (for UK driving licences); and
- A bank statement issued within the last 3 months.
To be eligible to apply to make deliveries by bike, you must be over the age of 18 and able to provide the following:
- Either a passport, a UK or EU driving licence, or an EU citizen/identity card; and
- A bank statement issued within the last 3 months.
What are the benefits of working as a delivery driver/rider for Uber Eats?
With Uber Eats, you’ll earn points every time you complete a delivery, with the possibility to earn more points depending on the time of day you work.
- All deliveries: 1 point
- Deliveries between 12pm and 2pm: two points
- Deliveries between 5pm and 9pm: four points
It’s worth noting that points reset after each calendar month, so if you’ve been working hard to save your rewards, be sure to make use of them before they expire!
Rewards include subsidised gym membership, free weekly goodies at Krispy Kreme, weekly freebies and discounts at Frankie & Benny’s, and tuition coverage for you or an eligible family member to study a short course through the Open University.
What’s more, if you keep your customer satisfaction rating above 95%, you’ll gain access to more rewards.
How much money could I make as a delivery driver/rider for Uber Eats?
As an Uber Eats delivery driver/rider, you can expect to earn an average of between £7 and £14 an hour. As is generally the case with this line of work, the money you make will depend on where you’re based and the hours you work. Uber has a policy where your wages will be topped up to meet the National Living Wage, which you can read more about here.
With Uber Eats, you keep 100% of the tips you receive.
Apply to work for Uber Eats
You can find out more about Uber Eats and take the next steps towards becoming a food delivery driver/rider here.
Just Eat
What is Just Eat?
Just Eat, a food delivery service, is perhaps best known for its catchy slogan: ‘Did somebody say JUST EAT?!’ and has featured a range of impressive celebrities in its advert campaigns, including Snoop Dogg and Katy Perry.
Becoming a delivery driver/rider for Just Eat: how does it work?
Applying to deliver with Just Eat is straightforward and can be done directly through their website.
You’ll just need to make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria in the section below, and after a successful background and right to work check, you’ll be on your way!
In order to pick up jobs, you’ll need to submit your availability via the app before midnight every Wednesday. The following day, you’ll be sent an email with your delivery schedule for the upcoming week.
Sometimes, during busy periods, it might be possible for you to accept delivery jobs within your ‘zone’ outside of your schedule; these are called ‘open runs.’
What do I need to become a delivery driver/rider with Just Eat?
To apply to work as a delivery driver/rider with Just Eat, you must:
- Be over the age of 18;
- Have a bank account;
- Have a fully insured and licensed car, bike, or moped; and
- Have an Apple or Android smartphone with data.
When you sign up, you may also be asked to provide your passport and proof of your right to work in the UK.
What are the benefits of working as a delivery driver/rider for Just Eat?
Drivers/riders can take advantage of Onsi, who partner with Just Eat to provide exclusive discounts and benefits. While available offers are subject to change, they could include discounts on food shopping or money off your restaurant bill.
How much money could I make as a delivery driver/rider for Just Eat?
Again, it’s important to remember that the amount of money you could potentially earn through delivery driving/riding will depend on how many deliveries you complete, as well as the delivery distance and time.
According to Glassdoor, Just Eat couriers earn an average of £11 an hour. As with Deliveroo and Uber Eats, any tips you make while delivering with Just Eat are yours to keep, although you will need to pay tax on them.
As a Just Eat delivery driver/rider, you’ll be paid via bank transfer every Tuesday, and this payment will include your earnings and tips from the previous Monday up until Sunday. Remember, you’ll still be charged tax and other necessary deductions as a self-employed worker. Please see further down the page for more information.
Apply to work for Just Eat
Want to find out more and apply to deliver with Just Eat? Click here.
Overview: Deliveroo vs Uber Eats vs Just Eat
| Deliveroo | Uber Eats | Just Eat |
|---|---|---|
| Average earnings of £14.78 per hour. | Average earnings of between £7 and £14 an hour. Wages will be topped up to meet the National Living Wage. | Average earnings of £11 per hour. |
| Keep 100% of tips received. | Keep 100% of tips received. | Keep 100% of tips received. |
| Money is paid out every Tuesday. You can request your earnings sooner, although you’ll incur a 50p fee. | Your Uber Eats earnings are automatically paid out at 4am every Monday. If you’d like to access your money before automatic payout, you could do so for a fee of 50p. You can find out more about faster payouts here. | Earnings and tips acquired between the following Monday and Sunday are sent to you via bank transfer every Tuesday. |
| Drivers/riders can choose to make deliveries via bike, cargo bike, scooter, or car. Transport must be licensed and insured. | Drivers/riders can choose to make deliveries via bike, motorbike, or car. Transport must be licensed and insured. | Drivers/riders can choose to make deliveries via bike, moped, or car. Transport must be licensed and insured. |
| Free accident cover. | Insurance protection through Allianz Partners, covering you from the minute you accept a food delivery to 15 minutes after you’ve completed the job. | Just Eat does not provide insurance or accident cover. |
| Uniform supplied, but not mandatory. | No specific uniform requirements. | No specific uniform requirements. Just Eat-branded thermal food bags can be bought at the time of application. Alternatively, you can use your own bags, but you must supply a photo of them when you sign up. |
Perks could include:
|
Benefits will be based on points, and could include:
|
Just Eat partner with Onsi, who offer various perks, which could include restaurant and supermarket discounts. |
Which is best to work for: Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Just Eat?
There isn’t really a correct answer to this question; everyone’s experiences will be completely different, based on factors such as the area of work and the number of deliveries available.
Bear in mind that workers look for different things from their employer; an employee might apply to work for Uber Eats so they can make use of free online courses and upskill, while a Deliveroo worker might appreciate the free accident cover.
So, what’s the ‘best’ delivery driver company for one person might not suit someone else.
When deciding whether to apply for a delivery driver/rider role with either Deliveroo, Uber Eats, or Just Eat, you should research each company and suss out which appeals best to your work ethic and personal preferences.
Of course, money is a driving factor behind any job, so this should also be taken into consideration!
Is delivery driving/riding a good way to make money?
Applying to become a driver/rider for a food delivery service could be a good side hustle to make some extra money in your spare time. As long as you hold a valid licence and are fully insured, you could use your own car, bike, or scooter to make deliveries.
As a self-employed worker, you can choose your own hours, which could suit those who are taking on deliveries in addition to another job or studying at university.
On the other hand, it’s important to remember that self-employed workers will not receive the same sick pay or holiday rights as an employed worker.
In addition to this, earnings are typically inconsistent, so this type of work might not be suitable as a full-time position if you have bills to pay.
You’ll also be responsible for keeping a record of your earnings and completing a self-assessment tax return – we’ll discuss this in more detail in the section below.
Do I need to pay tax if I’m a food delivery driver/ rider?
If you earn more than £1,000 over the course of the tax year, you will need to pay tax on your earnings. A tax year starts on April 6 and ends on April 5 the following year. As a self-employed worker, you’ll be responsible for declaring your earnings to HMRC by completing a self-assessment tax return.
You can find out more about self-assessment tax returns and download the relevant forms here.
Do you pay tax on tips as a self-employed food delivery driver?
As a self-employed worker, you will need to pay tax and National Insurance on any tips you receive, whether they’re paid electronically or in cash. You must declare any tips you receive to HMRC under ‘other taxable income’ when you complete your self-assessment tax return.
Worried about money?
If you’re struggling with money, please know that free, confidential help and support is available through charities and organisations such as StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.