Does anyone work as a self employed courier?

[Bunnyattack]

Is there anyone on here I could ask some advice please....
If you work self employed as a package delivery driver for example for yodel or Hermes...
Do you actually make any money from it after paying for all your petrol??
What happens if you go on holiday as they seem to state that you can't have time off you have to find cover for yourself?
Does t sound realistic to me.

I'm a stay at home parent but youngest is off to nursery soon so just leave me and the baby I was hoping to do this for a few months...I can do some rounds of an evening while dh has the dc...and few hours during the day my mum has said she will help with baby while I do some deliveries.

Watch killed by my debt that was on last week he basically got into bad debt from doing the same job as parking fines and petrol costs were unmanageable

I’m a self employed courier and I love it. I pick and choose when I want to work and can cancel up to 45 min before I’m due to start with no repercussions. I get paid £13 an hour regardless of how many parcels I deliver, sometimes get paid more if they’re desperate for drivers. I pay out about £2.50 in fuel for a 4 hour shift (paid £52).
The only problem with it is that it can be hard to get the shifts, some weeks I work everyday and some weeks I can’t get anything. It’s good as a side income (I have another commitment) but it can’t be relied on to pay the bills.

I did it many years ago when there wasn't as much traffic and I loved it. If you're quick you can earn a good hourly rate.
You have to find your own cover but you'll find other couriers Will be willing to cover for you.
I made really good money but I did work very, very hard, so sometimes 14 hr days and I did lots of covering for other people, I also delivered lots of catalogues.
My sister still does it, she has had her own area for years and seems to make some decent money.

I'm not sure if I'd fancy it now as petrol is a lot more expensive and the roads are getting busier.

Saying that I know others who've also done it for years and they love it and earn a decent wage.

Give it a go for maybe a week.

Tell them you're leaving if you don't like it.

Depends who you work for. My hubby is self employed and has a really diffcult route, and also his company are awful BUT nowhere near as bad as some *cough Amazon.
I dont think these things are worth it part time.

You'll make money if u do it full time. Hubby works 5am-6pm monday to Saturday. He makes a good amount.
But he has to then hire his own van as he cant use a normal car/own vehicle.
He doesnt get paid holidays
He doesnt get paid sick days
He didnt get paid paternity
He has to pay his own courier insurance (around 3k a year/280 a month)

After all his outgoings he has enough for mortgage/bills/a tiny bit for a few groceries. Its a squeeze but its manageable only because he does it full time and he does 13 hours a day.

Itll keep us ticking over whilst im on Mat leave.

The one I am applying for is you get paid per package you deliver...so obviously there's a minimum amount but you can take on more.
I did start to think there must be other local couriers who would take on your holiday work..so thankyou for confirming that because I was worried about it even though it's only once or twice a year I need to think ahead.