Gross earnings
Gross earnings are what a platform says it paid you, before your costs and before tax. It is the headline figure in the app and it is the one that makes gig driving look better paid than it is.
Last checked 12/09/2026.
Gross is the right figure for one purpose only: your turnover on the tax return. For every other purpose, including deciding whether a shift was worth doing, it overstates what you made.
What it means for your money
A driver quoted £19.81 an hour gross is not earning that. Fuel for the miles, a share of insurance, wear on the vehicle and the tax on the profit all come out of it, and what is left is commonly a quarter lower.
Watch for what a platform includes in its own gross figure, too. Some quote earnings before deducting their service fee and some after, and the two are not comparable. The statement, not the headline in the app, is the thing to read.
Where to read more
Related
Net earnings
Net earnings are what is actually left after the costs of doing the work and the tax on the profit. It is the only figure worth comparing between platforms, and no app shows it.
Earnings & profitabilityUpdated 27/08/2026
Your real hourly rate, and how to work it out
Your real hourly rate is what the platforms paid you, minus what the vehicle cost you, minus the tax on the profit, divided by every hour you were working. It is commonly a quarter below the headline figure, and it is the only number worth comparing between platforms.
Earnings & profitabilityUpdated 27/08/2026
What it really costs you per mile
Your cost per mile is fuel plus tyres, servicing, insurance, repairs and the value the car loses, divided by the miles you drive. Fuel is usually less than half of it, which is why a driver who only counts fuel thinks the work pays better than it does.
Vehicles & equipmentUpdated 27/08/2026
Handling Freenow passenger no-shows and cancellation fees
Learn how waiting times, cancellation windows, and fee claims work when a passenger fails to show up for your Freenow trip.
Practical problemsUpdated 25/10/2026
How much do Yodel drivers actually earn per week?
A realistic look at Yodel take home pay, covering parcel rates, van costs, fuel, and what drivers actually keep after expenses.
Earnings & profitabilityUpdated 17/10/2026
How Stuart Peak Pricing and Multipliers Work
Learn how Stuart peak pricing, multipliers, and boost zones work for couriers to help you maximise earnings during busy delivery hours.
Earnings & profitabilityUpdated 17/10/2026