Guide to being a courier

The overnight courier service has grown significantly during the coronavirus pandemic. With people tied to their homes, online shopping and delivery are often the only ways to get hold of the essentials.

Courier delivery is not just safety for many. They also help generate income for new couriers who are unable to do their normal jobs or have been laid off.

What is the courier doing?

Courier services typically involve collecting goods from a depot, warehouse, or storage facility and delivering them to multiple delivery locations. This includes parcels, parcels, letters and newspapers.

Delivery points are usually located in the surrounding area. A distinction is made between courier services and moving services.

Shipping involves transporting larger items over longer distances with pre-planned pick-up and drop-off points. This can be heavy electrical equipment, refrigeration shops, vehicles, etc. This also includes moving furniture and homes, which some have mistakenly referred to as courier services.

Take-away food delivery is also not considered a courier service. As with courier delivery, you will be paid for the delivery of the goods. However, timely delivery of hot food carries a higher risk than courier service due to tighter deadlines. You need special home delivery insurance.

Now that we know what a courier does, let's see how to be a courier.

First steps as a courier

carrier choice

The more items you can transport, the more deliveries you can make. This is why you need a van if you want to work full time as a courier. Storage space is key for couriers!

A van with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of up to 3.5 tonnes is sufficient for most international courier services. The total weight allowed refers to the weight of the fully loaded van, so 3.5 tonnes includes the item you are carrying. Consider a standard Ford Transit, Vauxhall Vivaro, or Peugeot Partner. This will give you enough storage capacity to transport a lot of supplies each day.

Make sure the van is serviced, has a valid MOT and is taxed before asking for an insurance quote.

courier license

The main advantage of complying with the 3.5 ton limit is that you can drive the van with a regular driver's license (category B). While upgrading your van to 7.5 tonnes GVW can be useful for larger payloads, it requires additional qualifications.

Additional safety tips for courier travel in winter

Install winter tires.

Make sure the liquid level is refilled before every trip, including washing the windshield.

Make sure you have a defrosting spray, an ice scraper, and extra warm clothing.

Bring snacks and extra supplies, including a hot drink bottle, in case of an emergency.