If you have a car and the time to spare, then you can make some money as a delivery or private hire driver in the modern economy. It’s up to you how much time you set aside, but if you’re up for the work it can represent a decent boost to your earnings.
Of course, your chances of earning well are going to be affected – for better or worse – by how prepared you are for the gig. Below, we will look at what you need to do – and have – before you can hit the road for cash…
You’ll need a clean licence
Perhaps most importantly of all, drivers who hope to make money taking people or deliveries between destinations will need to prove that they are responsible road users. Having a licence with zero points on it will be, if not essential, then at least very much desired.
Different companies will have different policies on this, but you should be aware of the question – and ideally be able to point to recent best behaviour.
A reliable satnav is essential
It’s great if you know your city like the back of your hand, and know a few short cuts that most people aren’t aware of, but having a reliable satnav (or GPS, as it’s known in the US) is vital.
You can define your delivery radius with most companies, but it’s important to know that you could be asked to deliver at either end of that radius and you’ll need to be able to find your way around small estates and side roads in reasonable time – a late delivery can hurt your earnings.
Keep your car clean and tidy
Whether it’s fast food or members of the public, the other occupants of your car need to be protected and reach the other end of the drive in good shape. This was essential prior to the pandemic, and it’s even more so now.
Calling on industrial cleaning contractors to deep clean your car every once in a while is a good idea, but you should also hoover it out at least once a day and run it through a car wash on a regular basis.
An up-to-date, fully charged mobile phone
The people requesting your service are doing so via a mobile app, for the most part – and you, as a driver, will also be dependent on your mobile. Your phone is how you will be alerted to delivery opportunities, and how you will know where to go, what (or whom) to pick up and when.
You may also need to call your potential customer for instruction on where to leave an item, or to let them know you’re waiting outside. If you’re going to be working a lot of hours in a day, make sure your phone is well-charged and that you have a back-up powerbank with you.
As long as you’re well-prepared, using your car to help you make some cash is something that is well worth looking into.
It can take some time to figure out your own best schedule, but once you’ve done that it’s a pretty simple process.
