Quick Answer
To become a delivery driver in 2026 you need to be 18+, have the right to work, pass a background check, and have a vehicle — a bike, scooter, motorbike, or car (plus licence and insurance for motor vehicles). Sign-up is online and takes minutes; verification takes hours to a few days. Earnings are paid per drop plus distance, with tips, commonly grossing US$12–22/hr in busy meal windows. Bikes and scooters keep the most per hour in dense cities; cars win for suburban and large orders.
What You Need to Qualify
Requirements vary slightly by country and by the type of delivery, but the core checklist is consistent:
- Minimum age — usually 18 (sometimes 19+ for motor vehicles or alcohol delivery).
- Legal right to work in the country you’re delivering in.
- A clean background check — most platforms run an identity and criminal-record check.
- A vehicle: bicycle, e-bike, scooter, motorbike, or car. Heavy or parcel delivery may need a van.
- For motor vehicles: a valid driving licence, vehicle registration, and appropriate insurance.
- A smartphone that can run the driver app and accept GPS navigation.
- A bank account for payouts.
Car vs Bike vs Scooter: Which Earns More?
| Vehicle | Best for | Running cost | Net kept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bicycle / e-bike | Dense city centres, short hops | Very low | ~80% of gross |
| Scooter / moped | City + inner suburbs, all weather | Low | ~75% of gross |
| Motorbike | Mixed range, fast pickups | Low–medium | ~70–75% |
| Car | Suburbs, large/multi orders, rain | Higher (fuel + parking) | ~65% of gross |
In congested centres, a bike or scooter often beats a car on hourly net because it avoids parking and traffic. A car earns its keep on longer suburban routes and bad-weather days.
How Delivery Earnings Actually Work
Unlike a salary, delivery pay is per-task. Most platforms pay a base fee per drop, a distance component, and let you keep 100% of tips. The big variable is order density: in a busy meal window you might complete three or four drops an hour; in a dead afternoon, one.
The drivers who earn most do three things: they work the peak meal windows (lunch 11:30–14:00, dinner 18:00–21:00), they batch nearby orders, and they minimise unpaid repositioning. For a full breakdown of how to model gross versus net once fuel and vehicle wear are subtracted, see our driver earnings guide — the same arithmetic applies.
Step-by-Step: How to Sign Up
- 1Choose a platform that operates in your city and check its vehicle options.
- 2Create an account and upload your documents: ID, licence (if driving a motor vehicle), insurance, and vehicle details.
- 3Pass the background and identity check — keep your phone handy for verification steps.
- 4Add your bank details so payouts can land.
- 5Complete any short onboarding or safety module the platform requires.
- 6Go online during a peak meal window and accept your first batch of orders.
GeraRide delivery lets you deliver food, parcels, and last-mile orders on the same driver account you use for passenger rides — so you can switch between rides and deliveries to fill quiet hours and maximise earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you need to become a delivery driver?
Be 18+, have the right to work, pass a background check, and have a vehicle (bike, scooter, motorbike, or car). Motor vehicles also need a licence, insurance, and registration.
How much do delivery drivers make?
Pay is per drop plus distance, with tips. Gross commonly runs US$12–22/hr in busy meal windows. After costs you keep roughly 65–80% — more on a bike, less in a car.
Do I need my own insurance to deliver?
For motor-vehicle delivery, yes — usually a policy that covers commercial or hire-and-reward use. Requirements vary by country, so check the platform’s rules before your first shift.
Can I deliver and do passenger rides on the same account?
On GeraRide, yes. You can switch between rides and deliveries to fill quiet hours, which raises your effective hourly earnings.