What documents do UK delivery drivers need before starting work

It depends on the role

There is no single list that covers every delivery job. What you are asked for depends on the role, the vehicle, the employer or platform, and whether you are employed or self-employed. A van driver on a courier contract, a motorbike rider on a food app, and a cycle courier will each face different requests.

That said, most delivery drivers are asked for some combination of the same things: proof of identity, Right to Work evidence, driving licence details, a DVLA check code, sometimes a DBS certificate, and vehicle, insurance and tax details. The sections below take each in turn. Treat them as what you are commonly asked for, not a legal checklist.

Proof of identity

Employers and platforms usually start by asking who you are, typically a passport or driving licence, sometimes with a recent photo. This is a separate step from Right to Work: proving who you are is not the same as proving you can work in the UK, and many onboarding processes ask for both.

Right to Work evidence

Before employment begins, the employer must carry out a Right to Work check; it is their legal responsibility. Depending on your circumstances, that means physical documents (for example a British or Irish passport) or a share code created at the GOV.UK service Prove your right to work to an employer if you prove your right to work online. Either way, the employer completes the official check; you provide the evidence.

We cover the share code process step by step in our guide: Right to Work share code: how to get and share it with an employer.

Driving licence details

If the role involves driving, you will be asked for your licence, and the licence category needs to match the vehicle. Categories define what you can drive, so an employer putting you in a larger van will look at your categories, not just whether you hold a licence. You can view your own licence information at the GOV.UK service View or share your driving licence information.

DVLA check code

Employers, fleets and van rental companies often want to see your driving record, such as categories and penalty points, rather than just the licence card. For that they ask for a DVLA check code, which you create at GOV.UK and which lets them view your details through the official service. It lasts up to 21 days and can only be used once, so expect to generate a fresh one per request.

Full steps in our guide: How to share your DVLA check code with an employer.

DBS certificate

Not every delivery role needs one, and most standard delivery work does not legally require a DBS check. Some employers and platforms ask for a Basic DBS certificate as their own requirement. Roles that involve children or vulnerable people, or certain NHS and school contracts, may need an Enhanced check instead.

A Basic DBS check shows unspent convictions, and you can apply for one yourself through the GOV.UK service Request a basic DBS check; there is a fee, and the current cost is shown on that page. Standard and Enhanced checks are different: those must be requested by an employer, not by you.

One more distinction: DBS covers England and Wales. Scotland uses Disclosure Scotland and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI, so the right service depends on where you work.

For when a delivery role does and does not need one, read the full guide: Do delivery drivers need a DBS check?

Vehicle documents

If you deliver with your own vehicle, expect questions about it: registration details, the V5C logbook, current MOT and tax status, and whether the vehicle suits the work. Cycle and e-bike couriers have a lighter version of this, but platforms may still ask about the equipment you ride.

Insurance documents

This is the one that catches people out. Standard personal car insurance usually does not include paid delivery work on its own. Depending on the role, you may be asked for business use on your policy, hire and reward insurance, or goods in transit insurance. What is needed varies by role and platform, so speak to your insurer before you start rather than after.

Tax and self-employment details

Many delivery roles are self-employed. Platforms and contractors commonly ask for your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), National Insurance number, and bank details, and if you operate through a company, your company and VAT details. Having these to hand speeds up onboarding noticeably.

Platform and employer-specific requirements

On top of all the above, each platform or employer adds its own steps: training modules, app setup and profile photos, proof of address, sometimes references from previous work. None of it is standardised, and each one asks separately. That is why drivers end up sending the same documents again and again, every time they pick up a new contract.

Frequently asked questions