Delivery or Driver Job: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Accept the Work

First, understand the kinds of work

• Platform delivery work (food, parcels, groceries): you usually use your own vehicle and phone, and are paid per order or per slot, subject to the platform's terms.
• Salaried delivery or driver job: a shop, wholesaler or company hires you for fixed hours and a fixed monthly pay.
• Driving someone's vehicle (car driver, tempo, pickup): you drive a vehicle owned by an employer or a family, often for fixed pay.
• The questions below apply to all three, but some matter more for one kind than another.

The ten questions

• 1. Who is the employer, and where is the proof?: Ask for the company or shop name, address and a contact person. Meet at the actual office or shop if you can. Be careful if everything is on chat and the person refuses to meet.
• 2. How exactly am I paid?: Per order, per hour, per day or monthly? On which date? Through bank transfer or cash? Ask what happens if you get fewer orders on a day.
• 3. Who pays for fuel, vehicle maintenance and phone data?: If you use your own vehicle, ask whether these costs are covered, partly covered or yours alone.
• 4. Is there any joining fee, deposit or uniform charge?: Some employers charge for a bag or uniform. Ask for the amount in writing and whether it is refundable. Anyone asking for a "registration fee" before work should be treated with caution; see our guide on fake job offers.
• 5. What papers are needed?: Typically a valid driving licence, vehicle RC, insurance and ID. Requirements for commercial vehicles can differ from those for personal vehicles, so check with your RTO or the employer what licence the work needs. If you ride a bike you bought second-hand, make sure the RC is in your name (see bike RC transfer).
• 6. What insurance covers me?: Ask if there is any accident cover through the employer or platform, and what is covered. Check that your own vehicle insurance is valid, and ask whether your policy allows commercial use, because some personal policies may not.
• 7. What are the working hours, breaks and weekly off?: Long shifts without breaks affect safety. Ask about peak hours, night work and holidays.
• 8. How are fines, damages and returns handled?: Ask who pays if a traffic challan, a damaged parcel, a customer complaint or a failed cash-on-delivery collection occurs. Get the answer in writing.
• 9. Is cash handled, and how?: Cash on delivery involves daily responsibility. Ask how cash is deposited, how shortages are treated and whether you get a record.
• 10. How can I leave, and what happens to my pending pay?: Ask about notice period, final settlement and any returnable items.

A simple monthly worksheet

• Before accepting, fill out a table like this with your own numbers from the employer's answers.
• Money in — Expected pay for a realistic month, not the best month
• Fuel — Distance per day times days times fuel cost
• Maintenance — Servicing, tyres, repairs, set aside monthly
• Phone and data — Monthly plan cost
• Insurance and documents — Yearly cost divided by 12
• Fines or deductions — Any stated deductions
• Money left — Money in minus all costs
• If the "money left" line looks too small for the hours and risk, negotiate or look at other options. If it looks fine, you can accept with open eyes. We do not quote figures here, since pay and costs differ by employer, city and time.

Safety practices

• Do not ride or drive while tired, and keep headlights, brakes and tyres in good order.
• Keep a copy of your papers on your phone, and the original licence with you while driving.
• Share your live location with someone at home during night shifts if you are comfortable.
• Do not take parcels that you are asked to carry "to a friend" without knowing what is inside.

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Safety tips

• Meet in a public, well-lit place and, where possible, take someone with you.
• Inspect the item before you pay and check it matches the listing.
• Never pay in advance, share OTPs, or move payment outside the agreed meeting.
• Keep contact through the listing page — contact details are privacy-gated in the app.
• Report suspicious sellers instead of continuing the conversation.

Frequently asked questions

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