Delivery driver jobs in the UK come in three main forms: employed van drivers paid by the hour, self-employed couriers paid per parcel or per route, and app-based gig drivers and riders paid per delivery. For most van work, a full UK car licence (category B) is enough, as long as the van weighs no more than 3,500kg.
The big decision is not the vehicle. It is whether you work as an employee or as self-employed, because that decides your guaranteed pay, your costs and your rights. This guide sets out the differences clearly. See live roles on our jobs page.
What delivery drivers do day to day
Parcel and multi-drop van drivers
You load your van at a depot in the morning, follow a planned route on a handheld device or app, and deliver anywhere from dozens to well over a hundred parcels in a day. Each stop involves parking, finding the address, a photo or signature, and moving on. It is physical, time-pressured work.
Supermarket and grocery delivery
You deliver booked shopping orders in time slots, often in temperature-controlled vans. Customers are usually home, so there is more lifting and carrying into kitchens, and less time spent looking for safe places.
Food and takeaway delivery
You collect orders from restaurants via an app and deliver them by car, scooter, motorbike or bike. Most of this work is self-employed and paid per delivery.
Same-day and specialist courier work
You move urgent documents, medical samples, parts or pallets between businesses. This often pays better per job but can involve long distances and unpredictable hours.
Licences: what you can legally drive
| Licence | What it covers | Typical delivery work |
|---|---|---|
| Category B (car licence) | Vehicles up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM), up to 8 passenger seats. Zero-emission vehicles up to 4,250kg. | Cars, small vans, Transit-size and most Luton vans |
| Category C1 | Vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg MAM, with a trailer up to 750kg | 7.5-tonne lorries, larger removal and furniture vehicles |
| Category C | Vehicles over 3,500kg (HGV) | Rigid lorries and trunking |
The weight that counts is the vehicle’s maximum authorised mass, shown on its plate or in the handbook, not how heavy it feels. A large Luton van can be plated above 3,500kg, so check before you drive one on a car licence. If you passed your test before 1 January 1997, you may already have C1 entitlement. Check your licence online on GOV.UK.
Driving vehicles over 3,500kg professionally also usually requires a Driver CPC qualification. Most entry-level van work does not.
For full details see GOV.UK’s guide to driving licence categories.
What employers and contractors usually ask for
- A full UK licence held for at least one or two years. Some insurers set higher minimums.
- A limited number of penalty points. Many firms accept up to six, though this varies.
- Right to work in the UK.
- For some routes, a basic DBS check or a credit check.
- A minimum age, often 21 or over, due to insurance rules.
Employed vs self-employed delivery work
| Employed driver | Self-employed courier | |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | Hourly rate or salary | Per parcel, per drop, per route or per day |
| Minimum wage | Guaranteed | Not guaranteed |
| Holiday and sick pay | Yes | No |
| Vehicle | Usually provided | Your own, or rented from the contractor |
| Fuel, insurance, repairs | Paid by employer | Paid by you |
| Tax | PAYE | Self Assessment |
Employed drivers
Supermarkets, wholesalers, some parcel carriers and local businesses employ drivers directly or through agencies. You get a van, fuel card, set shifts, payslips, paid holiday and sick pay. If you work through an agency, you are entitled to equal basic pay and conditions after 12 weeks in the same role.
Self-employed couriers
Many parcel networks use self-employed couriers, either directly or through delivery service partners. You might be paid a day rate for a route or a fixed amount per parcel. The headline figure can look attractive, but it is not your take-home pay.
Before you sign, work out your real hourly rate:
- Take the expected weekly income.
- Subtract fuel, insurance, van rental or finance, repairs, phone and any deductions such as uniform, scanner or damage charges.
- Set aside money for tax and National Insurance.
- Divide what is left by the real hours you will work, including loading, queuing at the depot and returns.
If that figure falls below the minimum wage, the deal is worse than an employed job with none of the security.
Gig apps
Food and grocery apps let you log on when you choose. The courts have taken different views on gig work depending on the facts. In 2021 the Supreme Court found Uber drivers were workers, while in 2023 it found Deliveroo riders were not, largely because riders could send a substitute. Each app’s terms matter, so read them before you start.
Insurance for self-employed drivers
- Hire and reward insurance: standard car or van insurance, including “business use” cover, does not cover delivering goods for payment. Courier work needs a policy that specifically includes hire and reward, often called courier insurance. Driving without the right cover can invalidate your insurance.
- Goods in transit insurance: covers the parcels you carry against loss, theft or damage. Many contractors require it.
- Public liability insurance: covers injury or damage to people or property while you are working, such as on a customer’s driveway.
Some gig apps include insurance while you are on a delivery. Check exactly what is covered and when.
Tax for self-employed drivers
If your self-employed income is more than £1,000 in a tax year, you must register for Self Assessment. From 6 April 2027, sole traders with qualifying income above £30,000 will need to use Making Tax Digital, keeping digital records and sending quarterly updates. Keep receipts for fuel, insurance and repairs, and track your mileage from day one.
Delivery driver pay in 2026
Employed and agency drivers must be paid at least the legal minimum for every hour worked:
| Age or category | From 1 April 2026 | From 1 April 2027 (confirmed) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 and over (National Living Wage) | £12.71 | £13.21 |
| 18 to 20 | £10.85 | £11.27 |
| 16 to 17 | £8.00 | £8.31 |
Employed van driver jobs are commonly advertised above the National Living Wage, with more for 7.5-tonne and HGV work, nights and weekends. Pay varies widely by region, employer and vehicle type, and the peak season from November to January usually brings extra hours. Self-employed pay depends entirely on your rates, routes and costs.
How to apply for delivery driver jobs
- Check your licence categories and points on GOV.UK, and generate a check code if an employer asks to see your record.
- Decide on employed or self-employed using the cost calculation above.
- Search local roles. See live listings for delivery driver jobs in Leeds, London, Manchester, Sheffield and Peterborough.
- Ask the right questions: how many drops a day, route length, start time, how pay is calculated and what deductions apply.
- Expect a short assessment drive for employed roles, plus a licence and right-to-work check.
CV tips for driving roles
- Put your licence categories, years held and points near the top.
- List vehicles you have driven, such as small van, Luton or 7.5t.
- Mention local knowledge of the areas you cover.
- Show reliability with numbers, like “delivered 120+ parcels a day with a 99% first-time success rate”.
- Add customer service experience. Delivery is a customer-facing job.
Spotting fake delivery driver adverts
- Upfront fees to “register” or join a route. Under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003, agencies cannot charge you for finding you work.
- Deposits to secure a van paid by bank transfer before you have seen a contract or the vehicle.
- Earnings claims that ignore costs, such as “earn £1,000 a week” without mentioning fuel, rental and deductions.
- Requests to buy a scanner, uniform or insurance from them as a condition of starting.
- Accounts for rent on gig apps. Renting someone else’s delivery app account breaks the platform’s rules, gets around right-to-work checks and can leave you without valid insurance.
See our guide to avoiding scams on classified ads for more checks.
Delivery driver checklist
- Licence categories and points checked on GOV.UK
- Van plated weight within your licence limit
- Right to work proof ready
- Employed or self-employed decision made with real costs worked out
- Self-employed: hire and reward and goods in transit insurance in place
- Self-employed: registered for Self Assessment and tracking mileage
- Written contract showing pay, deductions and notice terms
- No upfront fees or deposits paid to unverified contacts
Need drivers for your business? You can post a job on NextDealUK for free.
FAQs
Can I drive a delivery van on a normal car licence?
Yes, if the van’s maximum authorised mass is 3,500kg or less (4,250kg for some zero-emission vans). Anything heavier needs a C1 or higher category.
Do I need special insurance to be a courier?
Yes. If you deliver goods for payment in your own vehicle, you need hire and reward cover. Goods in transit and public liability insurance are also commonly required.
Are self-employed delivery drivers entitled to minimum wage?
Genuinely self-employed couriers are not. However, your legal status depends on how you actually work, not the label in your contract. If you are controlled like an employee, you may be a worker with minimum wage and holiday rights.
Do I need a van to become a delivery driver?
No. Employed drivers are normally given a vehicle, and some self-employed schemes rent vans to couriers. Food delivery apps also accept cars, scooters and bikes.
