When you start out as a courier or delivery driver, you’re more or less just trying to go with the flow and keep up with the volume of orders.

But with time and experience, you quickly learn the basics and begin looking for ways to improve your delivery efficiency to maximise your earnings. If this describes you, you’re in the right place.

Keep reading to learn our top tips for a more efficient delivery process!

Efficient delivery tips: pre-delivery prep

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
Benjamin Franklin

Make a schedule

One of the perks of being a courier or delivery driver is the flexibility. You can build your life around when you earn and be your own boss.

Perhaps you have university or family obligations — or both! As a courier, you can always prioritise what’s truly important while still earning good money.

However, there’s something to be said for dedicating specific hours for deliveries. Having a plan and sticking to it means you can continue to meet your other obligations without diminishing your earning potential.

Having a set schedule will help your friends and family arrange events around your courier hours, so you don’t miss out on the fun.

And best of all, by planning your schedule around the busiest hours of the day rather than just whenever you feel like it, you can earn more money more efficiently.

Get familiar with the area

Especially if you’re new in town, it can play to your advantage to get to know the city you’ll be delivering in.

But it’s more than just knowing your way around. Every city has its own rhythms, so pay attention when you’re out exploring — you’ll soon learn which areas get congested and what time of day.

When you’re out delivering during rush hours, knowing how to avoid these areas can make all the difference when it comes to delivery efficiency.

Keep your transport in tip-top shape

Whether you use a bike, car, or something else, keeping your transport well-maintained will make a big difference to your earnings.

But it’s more than just keeping air in your tyres and fluid in your brakes.

Everything from bikes and scooters to mopeds and cars will have a recommended maintenance schedule to prolong their life. And while maintenance might seem like an unwelcome way to spend your free time and money, think of it as an investment.

By keeping your transportation in tip-top shape, you’ll not only save yourself from sky-high repair fees when something unexpectedly goes wrong but also from the loss of delivery earnings while it’s being repaired.

Keep fit and healthy

Even more important than the wellbeing of your transportation is the wellbeing of your body and mind.

We don’t have to tell you that earning as a delivery driver or courier can be a physically and mentally demanding job. Eating a nutritious diet, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of restorative sleep are great places to start.

Be sure to get out and move your body in a way that feels good for you. It could be going to the gym, jogging outside, or participating in a sport you enjoy. You could even take a walk around your city to get some exercise and find out where the traffic jams happen (see above)!

Spending time with people you love and doing things you enjoy will do wonders for your mental health. By taking care of your body and mind, you’ll improve your focus and delivery efficiency. As a result, you’ll enjoy the time spent delivering a lot more!

Prep your gear

Is there anything worse than delivering in the wrong clothing on a low battery?

Planning ahead a bit — checking the weather forecast and charging your mobile devices — can make all the difference. Be sure to dress in layers and consider investing in a power bank (again, charged in advance) — which can be worth its weight in gold when you’re out on the road.

Efficient delivery tips: during delivery

Use technology to your advantage

As we’ve already established, the right tools make all the difference. But unfortunately, not all delivery companies have the resources to invest in cutting-edge technology to optimise delivery efficiency.

As a Bolt Food courier, you’ll have access to innovative tools like our courier route planner and time allocation planner accessible directly through our easy-to-use mobile app.

It does all the heavy lifting when it comes to calculating which deliveries to pick up and then customises the most efficient route. This makes it easier than ever to maximise your delivery efficiency — and earning potential!

And speaking of earnings, with Bolt Food, you’ll receive your earnings every week — whether you’ve been out delivering orders for 100 hours or 15 minutes!

Read more about Bolt Food and how you can make extra money by being a Bolt food courier.

Sign up as a Bolt Food courier today!

How to be a more efficient courier or delivery driver

Deliver food and earn on your schedule

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