Driver guide
Delivering with Parish Larder
A friendly guide to driving for Parish Larder — written for new local drivers. What to have ready, how to get approved, how the app works run by run, and how you get paid. You choose your hours and work your own patch.
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What driving with Parish Larder means
Parish Larder connects local food producers with the customers around them. Drivers are the last mile — you pick up orders from a stall or hub and drop them to customers nearby, usually within a few miles.
For you as a driver, that means:
- You choose your hours — toggle yourself available when you want to work, off when you don’t. No fixed shifts, no minimum commitment.
- Local, familiar routes — you work your own patch, not the other side of the county. Runs are grouped so your stops are close together.
- Per-drop pay, distance bonuses, and all your tips — you keep 100% of tips. Pay lands weekly, straight to your bank through Stripe.
- A simple app that does the thinking — it lists your runs for the day, navigates you stop to stop, and records proof of delivery for you automatically.
- You’re self-employed — you work for yourself, fit it around other work, and look after your own tax (more on that below).
Before you start — what to have ready
Have these to hand before you apply — it makes approval quicker:
- Proof of right to work in the UK (passport, or share code + document)
- A UK bank account for your weekly pay (via Stripe)
- A smartphone — iPhone or Android — with room for one more app
- Your transport: bike, e-bike, scooter, car or van, with valid insurance for the way you deliver
- The email address or mobile number you want to sign in with
- A few hours a week you can commit to, even if they move around
From applying to your first delivery
Apply· 5 min
Open parishlarder.com/deliver and fill in the short application — your name, where you’re based, how you’ll deliver, and your contact details. No CV, no commitment.
TipUse the email or phone number you check most — that’s how we’ll reach you about approval and how you’ll sign in to the app.
Get approved· usually 1–2 days
We run a quick right-to-work check and a short safety briefing. Once you’re cleared, you’ll get an email or text letting you know you can sign in.
Download the app and sign in· 2 min
Install the Parish Larder Driver app from the App Store or Google Play. Enter the email or phone number you applied with and tap Send link. The magic link signs you in — there’s no password to remember.
Connect Stripe for your pay· 5 min
The app sends you to Stripe’s secure onboarding (a separate page on stripe.com) to set up your payouts. Stripe asks for:
- Who you are (name, date of birth, address)
- An ID document (passport or driving licence — a phone photo is fine)
- Your UK bank account (sort code + account number)
- A phone verification (one text message)
This is how your weekly pay reaches your bank. Parish Larder never sees your bank details — Stripe holds them.
Set your zone and go available· 2 min
In the app, set the area you want to cover, then toggle yourself Available when you’re ready to take work. Toggle off any time you want to stop — there’s no penalty.
Take your first run· when one lands
When a run is assigned to you, it appears on your home screen with the merchant, the number of stops and the route summary. Open it, then tap Start run when you set off. For each stop the app shows the address, a Navigate button, the order items to check, and any customer notes.
At each door, tap Mark delivered and take the quick photo it asks for — that’s your proof of delivery, saved automatically (see the next section).
Get paid· weekly
Your earnings — per-drop pay, distance bonuses and 100% of your tips — add up through the week and pay out to your bank via Stripe. Your in-app Earnings tab breaks down every run so you can see exactly what you made and keep your own records for tax.
On the job — how a run works
Today’s runs
Your home screen lists every run assigned to you today, in order — the merchant, the number of stops, the start time and a route summary. Tap a run to preview the full stop list and any dispatcher notes (gate codes, parking, customer preferences).
On the road
Tap Start run when you leave. Each stop card gives you:
- The customer name and address
- A Navigate button that hands off to Apple Maps or Google Maps
- The order line items, so you can double-check the bag
- Any customer notes (e.g. "leave in porch")
Marking a delivery — your proof
When you arrive, tap Mark delivered. The app prompts you to photograph where you left the parcel — porch, doorstep, or hand-to-customer. The photo is saved with your GPS location and a timestamp and attached to the order automatically.
If something goes wrong
- No-one home and they asked for hand-to-customer? Tap Report issue → Customer not in. The order stays out for delivery and the merchant is notified.
- Wrong address, damaged parcel, vehicle trouble? Tap Report issue and describe it — the dispatcher gets a push notification straight away.
- Emergency? Hold the SOS button on the home screen for two seconds. Your live location is shared with Parish Larder admins until you cancel it.
Your first week — what to expect
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | You’re approved and signed in. Set your zone, connect Stripe, and go available when you’re ready. |
| Days 2–3 | Your first runs come through. Start with quieter periods to get comfortable with the flow: start run, navigate, mark delivered. |
| Days 4–5 | You’ll know your patch well by now — which streets are quick, where parking is easy. Runs feel routine. |
| Days 6–7 | Try a busier slot (evenings and weekends tend to have more drops). Check your Earnings tab to see how the week added up. |
| End of week | Your first payout lands in your bank account via Stripe. |
The drivers who earn most are the ones who go available during the busy windows — weekday evenings and weekends — in a zone with plenty of stalls. You’ll find your rhythm within a week or two.
Things worth knowing
You’re self-employed — keep a little back for tax
You work for yourself, so you’re responsible for your own tax and National Insurance. Keep a record of what you earn (your Earnings tab itemises every run) and set a little aside. If driving is your only or main income, register as self-employed with HMRC. If it’s a side earner on top of a job, declare it as additional income. If you’re not sure, a quick word with an accountant or the HMRC helpline sorts it out.
You’re never locked in
Toggle available on when you want to work, off when you don’t. There are no fixed shifts and no penalty for taking a week off. Work around your studies, another job, or the school run — it’s yours to shape.
Look after yourself on the road
Deliver the way that’s safe for your vehicle and the weather. Never rush a drop. The SOS button is always on your home screen if you ever feel unsafe — holding it shares your live location with our team until you cancel.
We’re small and you can talk to us
Email hello@parishlarder.com. A real person reads every message, usually replying within a few hours during UK business hours. For anything urgent while you’re on a run, use Report issue in the app so the dispatcher sees it immediately.
FAQ
How do I apply?▾
What do I need to drive?▾
How are deliveries assigned?▾
When and how do I get paid?▾
Can I work part-time or evenings only?▾
Do I sort out my own tax?▾
What if I can't find the customer or something goes wrong?▾
Ready to ride?
Open parishlarder.com/deliver and fill in the short application. Got a question first? Email hello@parishlarder.com — a real person will get back to you.
Prefer the full reference? Read the driver help guide.
— The Parish Larder team