Going self-employed

Going self-employed as a courier driver?

A grounded place to begin getting your rates, mileage and money admin organised before you commit to the first round or your first direct client.

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Instant digital downloads · UK-focused templates and guides · Not a substitute for professional advice.

The work is one thing. The setup is another.

Driving the rounds is the easy part. Once you're an owner-driver you're not just doing the drops, you're working out whether per-drop, per-mile or a day rate actually pays once fuel and van running costs come off, deciding when network work is worth it versus chasing better-paid direct clients, tracking your mileage, and chasing the money you're owed. LaunchKit is a set of UK-focused, downloadable templates and guides designed to help you think through that setup side and get organised from day one. It's a practical starting point, not a substitute for professional advice.

  • Pricing per-drop, per-mile or a day rate so it still pays after fuel and the van's running costs
  • Working out whether the network rate is worth it or whether you'd be better off finding direct local clients
  • Keeping on top of mileage and van costs so you actually know what each round is making you
  • Quoting same-day and ad-hoc jobs for local shops and e-commerce sellers without guessing the number
  • Getting paid on time by networks and direct clients while you're already out doing the next run

What to sort first

Your get-set-up checklist

  1. 1

    Work out your real cost per mile

    Before you agree any rate, know what fuel, van running costs and mileage actually cost you so a drop or a day rate genuinely pays.

  2. 2

    Decide how you'll price work

    Set your per-drop, per-mile and day-rate numbers, and be clear on where network rates sit versus what you'd charge a direct client.

  3. 3

    Set up quotes and invoices

    Have tidy quote and invoice templates ready so you can price same-day and ad-hoc jobs and bill clients without it eating your evenings.

  4. 4

    Track mileage and van costs

    Get a simple way to log your mileage and running costs so you know what each round makes and tax time isn't a scramble.

  5. 5

    Sort how you'll get paid

    Agree payment terms with direct clients and keep on top of what networks owe you so you're not waiting weeks for the money.

  6. 6

    Check your cover for paid delivery work

    Make sure you've got the right cover for delivery work, like hire-and-reward and goods-in-transit. It's something to look into and sort yourself before you start carrying parcels for pay.

  7. 7

    Line up your first work

    Plan how you'll find rounds and direct clients, through networks, local business outreach, Facebook and word of mouth.

Suggested starter stack

A sensible order to build up

The same tools, grouped in the order most people pick them up. You don’t need everything at once — start with the essentials, then add the rest as your business grows.

Start with

Best first step
Startup Guide£4.99

Your map for the practical setup steps before you commit to a round or your first direct client.

See what’s inside

Add next

Pricing Calculator — Premium£14.99

So your per-drop, per-mile and day rates actually pay once fuel and van costs come off.

See what’s inside
Business Documents — Premium£19.99

The quotes, invoices and job records you'll send local businesses and e-commerce sellers.

See what’s inside

Useful later

Financial Forms Bundle — Premium£19.99

To keep mileage, fuel and what each client owes you tidy across network and direct work.

See what’s inside
Social Media Content Kit£4.99

To help you get found by local shops and sellers who need reliable same-day delivery.

See what’s inside

Common questions

Before you buy anything

Do I need to buy everything before I start taking work?
No. Most courier drivers start with the startup guide to get the basics organised, then add a pricing tool and quote and invoice templates as they go. It's designed to help you build up your setup at your own pace.
Are these legal or compliance documents?
No. These are downloadable templates and guides to help you get organised and set up practically. They are not a substitute for professional advice and don't replace any insurance, licence or cover you're responsible for as a courier, including the right cover for paid delivery work, which is something to look into and sort yourself.
Can I use these if I'm already on the road?
Yes. Plenty of owner-drivers who are already running rounds pick these up to tidy up their pricing, mileage tracking and invoicing rather than starting from scratch.
How do I receive the files?
They're instant digital downloads. After purchase you can download the templates and guides straight away and start using them.
Which should I buy first?
A good practical starting point is the startup guide, followed by the pricing calculator so your per-drop and day rates cover fuel and van costs, and the business documents for your quotes and invoices. From there you can add the other tools as you need them.

Start with the right tools

Get the admin side organised so you can focus on the work. Browse the tools built for courier delivery businesses.

Start with the Startup Guide See all courier delivery tools

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