Transport and delivery

Food delivery rider (Uber Eats, Mr D)

Deliver food and groceries through delivery apps on a motorbike, scooter or car, choosing your hours.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

See how this fits you, freeAbout 6 minutes, no sign-up.

Is this for you?

Best for

Over-18s with a licence for a motorbike or car who want flexible hours and know their area.

In South Africa: Metros and big towns.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 15 hours a week · age 18+

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

No reliable SA figure yet

Pay per delivery is set by the app and changes; we do not model monthly income.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R500 to R15 000
Every month
Fuel, data, maintenance, bike rental if you do not own one.
Payment fees
Paid by the app weekly.
Margin
Fuel and bike costs come off.

How it is paid: Pay per delivery set by the app, plus tips. Our viability score for it: 55 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Ask two riders what they make after fuel
    • Check your licence and bike meet the app's requirements
    • Success signal: a week where you clearly beat your costs

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Gather documents: ID, licence, licence disc, inspection report
    • Fit a top box
    • Apply on the app

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Ride at peak times and track earnings and fuel
    • Learn your area's busy restaurants

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Keep the shifts that pay best
    • Add local deliveries for shops in quiet hours

Approval takes a couple of weeks once documents are ready. First income usually takes 7 to 60 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Food delivery riding: from your licence and documents to your first paid week on the app

23 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

App users ordering food and groceries.

Fast deliveries.

Is there demand?

Uber Eats lists its SA requirements for motorbike and scooter couriers: 18 or older, ID, a Code A or A1 licence, licence disc, inspection report, top box and screening. Pay per delivery is set by the app and not published in a form we can verify.

Uber EatsMr DGrocery apps through delivery partners

Getting customers

The app assigns deliveries.

Work handed out by an app or platformApplying for jobs or platform roles

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Road accidents: wear protective gear
  • Bike theft: lock it every time
  • Weekly bike rental that eats earnings

Competition: High in metros.

Room to grow: Time-bound.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • You need a valid licence (Code A or A1 for a motorbike).
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start food delivery rider in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R500 to R15 000. Recurring costs: Fuel, data, maintenance, bike rental if you do not own one.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 21 days, and between 7 and 60 days. Approval takes a couple of weeks once documents are ready.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

You need a valid licence (Code A or A1 for a motorbike). Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (3)

Free tools for this

Test food delivery rider (Uber eats, mr d) with your own numbersEstimate the tax on this side income

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy