Now that many operations have transitioned online, especially for shopping and deliveries, the demand for self-employed courier drivers has increased.
Maybe you want to earn money, yet you have other time-consuming commitments in your everyday life, or you merely need to have a flexible and practical job. Regardless of your reason, being a self-employed courier driver can be a great idea in 2021.
Aside from the benefits, you don’t have to be worried about the start-up capital that you will need to start with this brand-new career. That’s because there are many online finance platforms nowadays that offer loans for drivers.
Requirements for Self-Employed Courier Drivers
However, before you make your move to be a driver, keep in mind that it is not a job that everyone can easily get into. Before applying for a courier role for a company or organization, here are what you will need to be qualified for the position
- Personal vehicle appropriate for the job.
You cannot be a courier driver if you don’t have a vehicle to use for the job. The first thing you need to do is get a bike, a car, or a van – depending on what is required and appropriate for your role.
If you do deliveries, especially in bulk, it is more practical to use a van instead of a car. After all, it has a bigger capacity that can allow you to bring more deliveries, resulting in better income opportunities.
Your vehicle should also be reliable enough, which means that it should pass inspections, may it be for emissions, safety, or system conditions. In the end, for a driving career, you will naturally need a vehicle that can keep up with the constant driving operations.
- Vehicle maintenance and insurance.
Once you have a vehicle for the job, it should be fully insured and regularly maintained. So this means that there will be ongoing expenses while you are on the job.
Routinely maintaining your vehicle is crucial to making sure that it’s safe, dependable, and fuel-efficient. Also, while the SD&P insurance is a prerequisite, it will be wise to consider insurances that can cover you legally as a self-employed courier driver.
These additional costs, when built up, can be quite heavy on your pocket. However, with the abundance of finance platforms nowadays, you can easily apply for loans for drivers Most will only require you to go through a simple online application process, and then you’re good to go.
- Essential documents for job applications.
It is a given that if you are going to apply for a professional job, whatever it may be, you will need the essential documents for it. Depending on the company looking to hire you, here are some of the official papers you might need to qualify.
A birth certificate or a passport is necessary to check that you are eligible to apply for jobs and that you are a US citizen. You will also need a certificate of good conduct to prove that you are free of any criminal records.
Other requirements may include your Social Security Number or SSN and a recent Proof of Address. And since you are applying to be a courier driver, you will have to prepare your valid driver’s license card.
- Driving qualifications and outstanding initiative.
Having a driver’s license won’t be adequate to prove that your skills and experience are up to par for a courier driver. You need to be proficient enough to hit the roads safely and quickly to arrive at your destination on time.
- Respect for clients and good communication skills.
Although it is not considered an official requirement to qualify for the job, knowing how to deal with customers politely is important. After all, you won’t only spend all of your time driving, but you also have to communicate when making the deliveries.
On the topic of conversing with clients, it also helps to be wise with mobile phone plans, as it will mainly be used to connect with them. So look for deals that can be advantageous to you, considering both the costs and the use of service.
The Bottom Line
Becoming a self-employed courier driver is a rewarding experience, especially if you enjoy driving around. Contact existing courier companies to see which ones are willing to take you in on a self-employed capacity. It also helps to think of a business name and have a few business cards made. You don’t need to make a lot, but being able to offer potential companies and clients a formal business introduction makes you look more professional. With the tips mentioned above, you’re well on your way to becoming a self-employed courier driver in 2021.
