Self Emplyed Motorbike Courier

lulugilmore

Hello,
My partner has been offered a job with OTL Solutions as a motorbike driver delivering car parts (and related) from Euro Car Parts to garages around Truro, Cornwall. He has a 125 Lexmoto, one year old. He has been told that he will be classed as self employed and earn between £400 to £600 a week. We've already sorted the insurance as he needed it for his training period, but don't know much else about the paperwork needed to be self employed. It's been suggested to us that he'll need to open a business bank account, but we're not sure what for; also to open a savings account for putting money away for tax? And that we will need the help of an accountant.
We are currently looking for a new place to rent; long story short we moved counties to be closer to family, neither of us have jobs and are living with friends; and we'll need to have proof of income sooner rather than later in order to get accepted. How can we do that if he'd be classed as self employed? Is the job worth it after paying £100 on top of his normal insurance, all the fuel cost, after tax and national insurance? We're already thinking it won't be long term, due to the being out on the road in all weather conditions and the long hours, but it's a good job to start us off in a new area. What are your rights as self employee?
I have so many questions and can't find the answers anywhere, any previous experience or suggestions are warmly welcome and appreciated, thank you very much.

andygb

First of all, good luck to him, because I did six months of couriering years ago, and it was the hardest job I ever did, not to mention how dangerous it could be.
You do not need to open a business account if you start a business, another account with a different name will be OK, and it will attract less charges than a business account.
You have far more than fuel to think about, when you are slogging a bike (a small bike in this case) around all day, stop/start, this all wears out parts - rear tyres, brakes, chains, sprockets.
He will need decent clothing, which will last and provide protection - do not skimp on gloves and boots.
Start making a note of all expenditure and income - an excel spreadsheet is ideal. Keep all receipts.

bugslet

I can't answer your questions specifically, but being in transport world of the four wheeled variety, there is a bit of crossover.

As andygb says it'll be hard work and my opinion of these types of schemes, is that the 'employer' is putting the risk onto to you without the optimum rewards.

however, it might be an idea as well as on here to see if there are any motorbike/motorbike courier forums about that will be able to give you wider answers.

i found a couple of repsonses straight off, more no doubt if you want to look around.

https://forum.motorcyclenews.com/topic/55086/motorcycle-courier-is-it-worth-setting-up/2

http://www.codforum.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5048

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/so-i-want-to-be-a-motorcycle-courier.18493846/

Good luck!