What new couriers should know before their first route

Your first paid route sets the tone for everything after it, so treat the prep as part of the job. Confirm the vehicle requirements on the listing, check your insurance covers commercial use, and drive the route once in your own time if you can.

On the day, arrive early for the load-out, photograph anything that looks damaged before it goes in your vehicle, and keep proof of delivery for every stop. Dispatchers remember drivers who close out a route cleanly, and clean closeouts are how one-off runs turn into standing work.