Leleyi Bassa, Abuja (FCT)2 gofers near you

There is no specific route to becoming a courier. The profession is not subject to any regulations and does not require any particular diploma. However, they must have an A or B driving licence, depending on the type of vehicle they use. If they work in a company specialising in delivery, they must at least have a CAP (vocational training certificate) as a goods delivery driver or a CAP (vocational training certificate) for the distribution of objects and customer services, both of which are prepared in two years after the third year of secondary school. Otherwise, express transport companies are required to provide a 5-day training course for their apprentice couriers.

Whether self-employed or as an employee of a delivery or express delivery company, couriers work to a tight schedule as they are paid to deliver packages as quickly as possible. When working in the city, they usually use a two-wheeler (bicycle, scooter or motorbike), more rarely a four-wheeler of less than 3.5 tonnes. Working in all weathers, whether it is windy, rainy or snowy, he knows perfectly well the best routes in his work area, whether in the city or in the suburbs. Depending on the client and the company, he can deliver all kinds of packages: important and urgent parcels, various objects (clothes, flowers, computer equipment, etc.), biological products for medical couriers, furniture in kit form, etc. For an independent bicycle courier, he carries out various daily tasks: - Information on his availability and location; - Collection of parcels; - Delivery to the requested point; - Safe driving and fast completion of the journey.

There are many reasons to use a courier. When you have a parcel to deliver, he can take care of it quickly. Otherwise, when you shop online, they deliver within a few hours or the next day, depending on the package you choose.

One can easily find a courier by visiting an online directory such as StarOfService. On this site, you just have to follow the indications on the screen to find many delivery service providers in your region or city.

The courier can offer a fixed price, a single journey or a voucher. For private individuals, it is generally the per-ride formula that is most used, and the same applies to professionals with occasional needs. Rates vary enormously: from €5 to €2,000, depending on the delivery time and destination, but also on the vehicle used: - Delivery by bicycle: from €30 for a delivery time of less than 45 minutes, from €15 between 1 and 1.5 hours, and from €5 less than 3 hours; - Delivery by motorised two-wheelers: o from €30 for a delivery time of less than 45 minutes in the city, €40 in the inner suburbs and €50 in the outer suburbs; o from €15 for a delivery time of between 1 hour and 1.5 hours in the city, €30 in the inner suburbs and €40 in the outer suburbs o from €5 for a delay of less than 3 hours, €20 in the inner suburbs and €30 in the outer suburbs; - delivery by car and truck : o from €30 for a delivery time of less than 2 hours in the city (intra-muros), €40 in the inner suburbs and €45 for a distant suburb; o from €20 for a delivery time of less than 3 hours in the city, €25 in the inner suburbs and €30 in the outer suburbs. Supplements may be applied to a journey in the event of overloading or bulky goods, a false delivery address, pick-up/delivery at a specific time or waiting for the courier during pick-up.

You can choose your courier according to the volume of the parcel to be delivered: courier by bike, motorbike or car. For an urgent parcel, a bicycle is the most suitable solution as it does not depend on traffic (no traffic jams to be expected). For fragile objects to a suburb, for example, a courier on two motorised wheels is more than recommended.

- How long have you worked as a courier? - Do you have insurance in case of breakage or loss? - Do you charge extra for delivery outside your working area? - What are your delivery terms?