Written by, Bojana Atanasovska
Updated September, 7, 2022
Deliveroo can be a solid side hustle for anyone with a driving licence who likes working flexible hours.
But, how much do Deliveroo drivers make and how can you become one?
Stick around to find out.
A Deliveroo driver can earn between £7 – £12 an hour. The food delivery company pays drivers per delivery, so a driver’s hourly wage will vary depending on how many deliveries you can complete.
In the past, Deliveroo drivers gave drivers two options: they could either opt for a base Deliveroo driver wage of £7 an hour plus minor bonuses for each drop (£1 or £2) or go for a strict charge per drop option (around £3 – £4.50).
As of 2021, Deliveroo pays drivers based on the number of deliveries.
Several factors determine a driver’s Deliveroo salary, but the company mainly looks at the driving distance and number of orders. It’s similar to how Just Eat drivers’ payout but quite different from Uber drivers where they’re paid a regular hourly salary.
If the locations are all within a reasonable distance, Deliveroo’s system can combine more orders from the same restaurant. These routes are highly profitable.
Deliveroo usually tasks bike riders with shorter routes to make sure that the delivery gets to the customer as fast as possible. At night, or when the weather is bad and there aren’t a lot of bikers at work, Deliveroo drivers get both the shorter and the longer routes.
This would imply that, in most cases, Deliveroo drivers earn more than the riders, due to the mileage they drive in a week.
Regardless, both riders and drivers are compensated for every delivery they make. Deliveroo informs the riders of the shipping fee of the route for every order and before they accept it. The company promises that riders keep 100% of the tips, which are paid along with the rest of the fees.
Here’s how much Deliveroo drivers can make in an hour and during the day (depending on the number of drops per hour).
Hourly Deliveroo wage
Hourly Deliveries | Hourly Wage |
0 | £0 |
1 | £3 – £4,50 |
2 | £6 – £9 |
3 | £9 – £13,50 |
4 | £12 – £18 |
5 | £15 – £22,50 |
Daily Deliveroo wage
Working Hours | 1 delivery/h | 2 deliveries/h | 3 deliveries/h | 5 deliveries/h |
2h | £7.50 | £15 | £22.50 | £37.50 |
3h | £11.25 | £22.50 | £33.75 | £56.25 |
4h | £15 | £30 | £45 | £75 |
5h | £18.75 | £37.50 | £56.25 | £93.75 |
6h | £22.50 | £45 | £67.50 | £112.50 |
8h | £30 | £60 | £90 | £150 |
10h | £37.50 | £75 | £112.50 | £187.50 |
Note: Deliveroo’s pay isn’t fixed. Drivers are paid based on the number of deliveries they make. That means quieter days may result in making significantly less.
While Deliveroo pay is undoubtedly decent (especially during peak hours), there are a few other expenses that potential drivers have to consider, including:
Deliveroo requires all of its drivers to have “Social, Domestic & Pleasure’ and ‘Hire & Reward’ insurance. Most drivers get their insurance from Deliveroo’s insurance partner, Zego. The company offers on-the-go insurance and syncs with Deliveroo’s app, ensuring that you’re insured whenever you’re online.
Deliveroo does not cover drivers’ fuel expenses, which means that will have to come out of your pocket as a delivery driver. Your everyday pick-ups may result in higher fuel bills and parking fees.
When you start working as a courier/delivery driver, you’ll drive a lot more than usual. The average UK driver travels approximately 20 miles a day; you’ll likely exceed this within 3/4 hours of commencing your shift.
Wear and tear is quite pricey, and some parts on your vehicle (oil, brakes, etc.) might need replacement sooner rather than later. If you ever decide to sell/trade your vehicle, always remember the cost of the mileage; it will invariably be worth far less with all the extra miles.
The process of becoming a Deliveroo driver is simple, but you’ll have to meet a few requirements. Here are the necessary steps for becoming a Deliveroo driver:
This means:
Visit Deliveroo’s website, select the nearest location to you from the list of locations, and fill out the form. Deliveroo will ask for your work permit and a current driver’s license and other necessary documentation.
Once you submit the application, Deliveroo will review it and inform you, via email, if you’ve been accepted, which might take a couple of days. Make sure you agree with all of their terms and conditions before accepting the offer.
You must have an iOS 11.0 or Android 6.0 operating system to install the app. To sign in, you’re going to need to put in your phone number and a security code. Once you’re in, you can browse available orders in-app.
You’ll also get notifications even if you are not online so that you don’t miss an order. You can also use the app’s map to find restaurants and even follow a suggested path to make your dropoff.
Each month, Deliveroo riders receive payment sheets where they can track their earnings. These tools give you an insight into your bonuses and reward and can help you save on some of your expenses.
Deliveroo pays riders on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. You can use the “cash-out” feature on the app to withdraw your money earlier but, you’ll have to pay a fee of $0.75.
Your money might take more than a day to be processed by your bank, but if you have to wait more than three days, it’s best to reach out to their customer support team.
With around 15,000 drivers in the UK with another 20,000 around the world, Deliveroo is a great opportunity for some people to earn a little extra money on the side. While the company has faced its fair share of criticism over how much it pays its drivers, Deliveroo offers flexible hours, drivers have the option to reject an order and can earn a solid wage in the busy hours.
The process is straightforward but Deliveroo requires all applicants to meet certain requirements, such as having proper insurance and a work permit. You can find more in the “Make sure you’re qualified” section.
No, you don’t. If you get the job position, you’re going to get their branded core kit, but you don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.
If you liked the answer to the question “How much do Deliveroo drivers make?” and believe that you’ll enjoy driving around your city, or if you’re a student looking for a little extra cash, Deliveroo is a good pick.
Bojana is my name and writing is my game. I am a content writer from Bitola who is always interested in the latest research in almost all areas of life. I have a Bachelor’s degree in English literature and a perfectionist character, both of which help me find the most accurate data and information available. Although I have my head stuck in studies and reports most of the time, I still have a bit of free time during which I enjoy knitting and watching classic 90’s Disney movies.