MIVA STUDY PACK — Delivery Rider & Driver (English) Downloaded 2026-09-29. Free to pass on. Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 1: Delivery and ride work today 7 minutes read THE WORLD OF MODERN TRANSPORT WORK Today, thousands of young people across West Africa and North America earn money using transport apps on their smartphones. Whether you drive a car in Lagos, ride a motorbike in Accra, or push a pedal bike in Toronto, app-based delivery and ride-hailing have transformed how people and goods move. Before you jump into this work, you need to understand how the industry operates. It is not just about driving from point A to point B. It is about running a small transport business where you are the manager, driver, and safety officer. THREE MAIN TYPES OF TRANSPORT WORK Most app jobs fall into three main categories. Each has different costs, working hours, and physical demands. - Passenger Ride-Hailing: Platforms like Bolt, Yango, or Uber connect you with passengers needing a car trip. You need a neat four-door car, good customer service skills, and patience in heavy city traffic. - Food Delivery: Services like Glovo, Chowdeck, or Uber Eats send you to restaurants to pick up hot meals and drop them to customers. Speed and careful handling are critical so food does not spill. - Parcel and Courier Logistics: Companies or small vendors send packages, documents, or market goods across town using motorcycles or small vans. Packages are usually sturdier than food, but drop-off directions can be complex. CHOOSING THE RIGHT VEHICLE FOR YOUR BUDGET Your vehicle is your main tool. Different vehicles suit different budgets and city conditions. - Motorbikes (Okadas or dispatch bikes): Cheap on fuel and fast in congested city traffic. Ideal for food and parcel delivery. However, weather and road safety are constant challenges. - Cars: Higher comfort and passenger earnings, but fuel costs, car maintenance, and traffic delays are much higher. - Tricycles (Keke or Pragia): Great for local passenger routes or smaller parcel runs in secondary towns, though limited on express highways. - Bicycles: Very low running cost in high-density city centers, but physically demanding and limited by distance. UNDERSTANDING YOUR REAL INCOME A common mistake new drivers make is confusing total receipts with real profit. When an app balance shows 25,000 Naira, 400 Cedis, or 20,000 CFA Francs at the end of the day, that figure is your gross earnings, not your take-home pay. From that total amount, you must subtract app commission fees (often 15% to 25%), fuel costs, airtime or mobile data, washing the vehicle, and setting aside cash for oil changes and tyre repairs. Only what remains after these expenses is your actual income. [Safety Warning] Do not endanger your life to chase app bonuses or quick delivery times. Rushing through red lights or weaving dangerously between heavy trucks leads to serious crashes. No single fare is worth your physical safety. [Try this today] Visit a busy commercial area or fast-food hub during lunchtime. Spend 15 minutes observing delivery riders and drivers. Watch how they park, pick up orders, and secure packages on their bikes or in their cars. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the difference between gross earnings and real profit in transport work? A) Gross earnings are what you earn after paying for fuel and app commissions. B) Gross earnings are the total money paid before taking out costs like fuel, maintenance, and app fees. C) Real profit is the total amount displayed on the app screen at the end of the day. D) Gross earnings and real profit mean the exact same thing. Answer: B — Gross earnings show the total money collected. To get your real profit, you must subtract expenses like fuel, app commission fees, and vehicle repairs. 2. Why are motorbikes popular for food delivery in crowded cities? A) They carry more passengers than four-door cars. B) They use no fuel at all. C) They navigate through heavy traffic faster and cost less in fuel. D) They do not require any licence or maintenance. Answer: C — Motorbikes can easily maneuver through traffic jams and use much less fuel than cars, making them efficient for fast local deliveries. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 2: Licences, papers and apps 7 minutes read GETTING YOUR PAPERS RIGHT BEFORE STARTING Working legally protects you from police trouble, heavy fines, and impounded vehicles. Before you take your first ride or delivery, your documents must be fully up to date. Local road safety authorities—such as the FRSC or VIO in Nigeria, or the DVLA in Ghana—regularly inspect commercial operators. Platforms also block accounts automatically when documents expire. ESSENTIAL VEHICLE AND DRIVER DOCUMENTS Keep original copies or neat laminated copies of all mandatory papers in your vehicle or rider bag at all times. - Valid Driver's or Rider's Licence: Make sure your licence category matches your vehicle (e.g., Class A for motorcycles, Class B for passenger cars). - Vehicle Registration (Logbook): Proves that the car or motorbike is legally registered in your country. - Certificate of Roadworthiness / Vehicle Inspection: Shows that your brakes, lights, tyres, and engine pass government safety checks. - Commercial Insurance: Third-party insurance is the minimum legal requirement. Commercial rider or driver insurance protects you if you hit another road user or property while working. PASSING APP ONBOARDING AND VERIFICATION Signing up on apps like Uber, Bolt, Glovo, or Chowdeck requires uploading clear photos of your documents. Apps use automated software and manual teams to review your profile. To prevent delays or instant rejection during app registration, keep these points in mind: - Take clear, well-lit photos of documents. Ensure all four corners of the paper are visible and text is sharp. - Make sure the name on your licence matches your bank account or Mobile Money (MoMo) registered details exactly. - Upload a clear, professional photo of your face without glasses or hats for your customer profile pic. - Ensure your vehicle meets the app's minimum age and condition requirements. [Legal Warning] Operating with fake papers or an expired driving licence will get your app account permanently banned. In many regions, police will impound your vehicle and charge you in court. [Try this today] Take out all your physical vehicle documents right now. Check the expiry date on each paper. Add reminders in your phone calendar two weeks before each document expires so you can renew them on time. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is a common reason app platforms reject photo uploads of driver documents? A) The document is valid for more than one year. B) The photo is blurry, cut off at the corners, or poorly lit. C) The name on the document matches the bank account name. D) The document photo was taken during daylight hours. Answer: B — Apps reject uploads if text cannot be read clearly or if corners of official documents are cut off in the picture. 2. What minimum level of insurance cover is legally required to operate on public roads? A) No insurance is required if you drive carefully. B) Life insurance only. C) At least valid Third-Party Insurance. D) Full health insurance for passengers. Answer: C — Third-Party Insurance is the legal minimum required by law to cover damage or injury caused to other people or their property. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 3: Road safety that keeps you alive 8 minutes read WHY ROAD SAFETY MATTERS MOST When you drive a car or ride a motorcycle for delivery apps, your vehicle is your workplace. On busy roads in cities like Lagos, Accra, or Lomé, traffic can be wild. Minibuses like danfos or tro-tros stop without warning. Pedestrians step into the road. Potholes appear suddenly after heavy rain. No delivery payout or ride fare is worth your life. Apps might show countdown timers or send notifications about hot orders, but your primary job every single minute is to reach your destination safely. Speeding to earn an extra 500 Naira or 5 Cedis will cost you everything if you crash. [Safety gear saves lives] If you ride a bike or okada, never turn the key without a crash helmet locked on your head. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants, and a reflective high-vis jacket. If you drive a car, pull your seatbelt across before you drop your handbrake. Gear will not stop an accident, but it will keep you alive if one happens. DEFENSIVE DRIVING AND RIDING Defensive driving means expecting other road users to make mistakes. Never assume another driver sees you, even if you have the right of way. Assume the driver ahead will turn without signaling, or that a parked car door will swing open into your lane. Keep a safe following distance. In good weather, stay at least three seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. In rainy conditions or on loose gravel roads, double that distance to six seconds. Rubber tires lose grip quickly on wet asphalt, especially when oil leaks mix with early rain. - Beware of truck blind spots: Heavy trucks and buses have large areas on their sides and rear where the driver cannot see you in their mirrors. If you cannot see the driver's eyes in their side mirror, they cannot see you. - Watch the road surface: Avoid puddle holes. Water often hides deep holes that can snap your wheel rim or throw you off a motorbike. - Avoid middle-lane idling: At traffic lights, stay aware of mirrors. Keep your vehicle in gear so you can move if a car behind fails to stop. MANAGING YOUR PHONE WHILE MOVING Delivery and ride-hailing apps live on your smartphone. Checking maps, accepting orders, and calling customers are part of the work. However, looking down at a phone held in your lap for just two seconds at 50 km/h means traveling blindly for over 25 meters. Mount your phone firmly on your dashboard or motorcycle handlebars at eye level. Set your navigation voice directions to play aloud or into a single earbud. If you need to type a text, accept a complex order, or call a customer on WhatsApp, pull off the road into a safe spot first. [Try this today] Mount your phone in your vehicle where you can see the screen using only your eye movement, without turning your head away from the road. Practice adjusting your setup before you start your next delivery shift. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the safest thing to do when heavy rain starts while you are carrying a customer's delivery? A) Ride or drive faster to finish before the rain gets worse B) Slow down, increase your following distance, and ride smoothly C) Turn off your headlights so water does not splash into them D) Keep using your phone while driving to tell the app you are late Answer: B — Wet roads reduce grip and increase stopping distance. You should slow down and leave extra space behind other vehicles. 2. Why is it dangerous to ride close alongside large trucks or tro-tros? A) Truck drivers move too slowly for delivery work B) Trucks spill fuel continuously on the road C) Large vehicles have big blind spots where the driver cannot see you D) Truck engines pollute your delivery packages with smoke Answer: C — Large trucks have wide blind spots along their sides and rear. If you ride in those spots, the driver may steer into your lane without knowing you are there. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 4: Daily vehicle checks 7 minutes read PREVENT BREAKDOWNS BEFORE THEY HAPPEN A sudden breakdown during peak delivery hours loses you money. Worse, a mechanical failure at high speed can cause a terrible crash. A simple 5-minute vehicle inspection every morning catches small issues before they become expensive repairs or dangerous accidents. Whether you use a 125cc delivery bike, a tricycle (keke), or a small hatchback car, making daily checks a strict routine protects your daily earnings. [Brakes and tires come first] Never carry a customer or load goods if your brakes feel soft or your tires are completely worn. Failing brakes or blown tires on a busy highway can lead to severe injury. Inspect them every single day before taking your first job. THE DAILY CHECK ROUTINE Follow this simple routine every morning before starting your engine. Mechanics call this standard walk-around check: Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, and Chain/Chassis. - Tires: Look for proper air pressure (PSI). Check that tread lines are still deep enough to grip the road. Remove small stones or nails stuck in the rubber. - Brakes: Squeeze your brake levers or press your foot pedal. They should feel firm, not spongy. Test that the vehicle stops completely before hitting the main road. - Lights and Indicators: Turn on headlights, brake lights, and turn signals. Make sure lenses are clean so drivers can see your signals in daylight and at night. - Fluids and Leaks: Look under the vehicle for dripping engine oil, brake fluid, or coolant. Check oil dipsticks or fluid sight glass levels. - Chain and Cables (For Motorbikes): Check that the drive chain is clean, lubricated, and has about 2 cm of slack. Check throttle and clutch cables for fraying. - Mirrors and Horn: Adjust mirrors so you can see behind you clearly without leaning your body. Test your horn to ensure it works. SAVE YOUR CASH WITH EARLY DETECTION Replacing a worn brake pad costs a small amount of money (around 3,000 Naira or 40 Cedis). But if you ignore a worn brake pad, it destroys the steel brake disc rotor. Fixing that will cost five times as much, plus towing fees and lost income while your vehicle sits in the workshop. Keep a small toolkit, a spare tire tube or tire repair kit, a manual pump, and extra engine oil in your vehicle or delivery bag. Being able to fix a small pinhole leak yourself keeps your workday moving. [Try this today] Perform a full 5-minute pre-ride inspection on your car or bike today using the list above. Write down any minor issues—like low tire pressure or a dim bulb—and fix them before tomorrow morning. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should you do if your brake lever or brake pedal feels soft and spongy when pressed? A) Drive carefully and pump the pedal harder during deliveries B) Ignore it until the weekend when you have more free time C) Pour water over the brakes to cool them down D) Inspect fluid levels and fix the brake issue before starting work Answer: D — A spongy brake lever means there is air or a fluid leak in your braking system. You must resolve this issue before riding or driving to avoid brake failure. 2. Why is checking tire pressure every morning important for a delivery worker? A) Correct tire pressure improves fuel efficiency, grip, and tire life B) High tire pressure makes the delivery app connect to GPS faster C) It allows you to carry double the allowed package weight D) Lower tire pressure makes the vehicle go faster on highways Answer: A — Proper tire pressure keeps your vehicle safe on wet or dry roads, uses less fuel, and stops tires from wearing out too quickly. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 5: Maps and finding addresses 7 minutes read WHY MAP SKILLS MAKE YOU MONEY In delivery and ride work, time is money. Every ten minutes you spend lost looking for a street is time you could spend on your next trip. In cities like Lagos, Accra, or Lome, finding an address is not always as simple as typing a house number into an app. Some streets do not have clear signs. Some house numbers do not go in order. To earn steadily, you must learn to combine digital GPS maps with real-world landmark navigation. SETTING UP YOUR PHONE FOR NAVIGATION Before you start your vehicle, your phone must be ready. Trying to adjust your phone while moving is one of the top causes of accidents for dispatch riders and drivers. - Mount your phone on your handlebar or dashboard at eye level so you do not look down while moving. - Keep a charged power bank and phone cable with you. Map apps drain phone batteries very quickly. - Turn on voice navigation in your earbud or speaker so you can hear turns without looking at the screen. [Safety Warning] Never hold a phone in one hand while riding a motorcycle or steering a car. Holding a phone reduces your reaction time by half and can cause severe crashes. SAVING MONEY WITH OFFLINE MAPS Data bundles cost real Naira, Cedis, or CFA. Map apps consume heavy internet data if they load satellite views every minute. Also, internet network signals often drop in small towns or dense markets. You can solve this by downloading offline maps. On Google Maps or Maps.me, select your home city and download the map file over Wi-Fi or when you have cheap data. Once saved, your GPS will guide you even without an active data connection. NAVIGATING WITH LOCAL LANDMARKS In many West African neighborhoods, customers do not use street names. They describe where they are using well-known spots. You must get comfortable using local landmarks. - Major landmarks: Bus stops, filling stations, banks, markets, or big churches and mosques. - Minor landmarks: Uniquely painted houses, popular metal containers, or tailor shops. - Junctions: Knowing the names of major roundabouts or intersections helps you plan the fastest route before you start driving. When a customer gives an address, ask them for the nearest landmark or to send a live WhatsApp location pin. A live pin shows you exactly where their phone is sitting, which is far more accurate than typing a general area name into a search bar. [Try this today] Open Google Maps on your phone right now. Tap your profile picture in the top corner, select 'Offline maps', and download a map of your town. Test it later by turning off your mobile data and typing in a local destination. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Why is downloading offline maps helpful for a delivery rider? A) It makes your bike or vehicle consume less fuel. B) It allows you to navigate without using data or when network signal is weak. C) It automatically pays for your road toll fees. D) It stops customers from calling your phone while moving. Answer: B — Offline maps store map graphics on your phone storage. This saves internet data and keeps your GPS working even in low-network areas. 2. What is the safest way to follow map directions while riding a motorcycle? A) Hold the phone in your left hand near your face. B) Place the phone inside your pocket and check it at traffic lights. C) Secure the phone on a handlebar mount and use audio voice guidance. D) Keep the phone on your lap while driving. Answer: C — A handlebar mount keeps the phone in your line of sight, and audio guidance lets you keep your eyes on the road instead of staring down. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 6: Great service and good ratings 8 minutes read HOW RATINGS CONTROL YOUR DAILY INCOME Most ride and delivery platforms—such as Bolt, Uber, Glovo, or Chowdeck—use a star rating system. Customers rate you from 1 to 5 stars after every trip. High ratings mean the app gives you more order requests, high-value rides, and special bonuses. If your rating drops below a certain level (usually around 4.5 stars), the app may suspend your account, leaving you without work. PRESENTATION AND FOOD SAFETY First impressions matter. When you hand over a parcel or carry a passenger, how you look and how your vehicle smells creates an instant opinion. - Keep your delivery bag clean inside and out. Wipe down food boxes daily with a damp cloth so old food smells do not build up. - Separate hot and cold items inside your thermal bag if you carry food. Nobody likes warm soda or melted ice cream. - Keep food containers upright. Use clean towels or foam blocks inside your box so takeaway bowls do not spill during sudden stops. - Wear neat clothing and keep your helmet or vehicle interior free from smoke or bad odors. COMMUNICATION STOPS BAD REVIEWS Customers get anxious when their food or ride is late. Traffic jams, heavy rain, and vehicle trouble happen to everyone. The difference between a 1-star rating and a 5-star rating is usually how you communicate. If you are stuck in bad traffic, do not wait for the customer to get angry and call you. Send a polite text or voice note immediately. A customer who knows why you are delayed will almost always remain patient. [Try this today] Save a quick text template on your phone keyboard that says: 'Hello! I have picked up your order and I am on my way. Traffic is a bit heavy, but I am moving as fast as safe. Thank you for waiting!' You can send this in seconds. HANDLING DIFFICULT CUSTOMERS CALMLY You will eventually meet customers who are rude or stressed. Arguing with a customer on the street never ends well for a driver. Even if you win the argument, the customer will give you a 1-star rating and report you to the platform. - Remain calm and speak with a quiet, polite tone, even if the customer is shouting. - Acknowledge their problem: 'I understand you waited long, sir/madam. I am very sorry for the delay.' - Do not argue about company policy or app errors on the spot. Report any serious safety or customer abuse directly inside the app support channel after leaving. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should you do if heavy traffic makes you 15 minutes late for a food delivery? A) Turn off your phone so the customer cannot bother you. B) Drive on the sidewalk at high speed to make up time. C) Send a quick polite message to update the customer on the delay. D) Cancel the delivery and keep the food for yourself. Answer: C — Communicating early builds trust. Most customers appreciate knowing about traffic delays and will still give you a good rating. 2. How can you prevent takeaway soups or drinks from spilling inside a motorcycle delivery box? A) Ride with your box lid open. B) Pack empty spaces with clean foam or towels to keep containers upright. C) Hold the food bag on your handlebar while riding. D) Ask the restaurant to pour liquids directly into your bag. Answer: B — Securing containers with foam or towels stops them from tipping over when you brake or turn corners. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 7: Tracking what you really earn 7 minutes read GROSS MONEY IS NOT YOUR PROFIT When you finish a long day on the road, your app or cash bag might show a large number. In Lagos, you might collect 25,000 Naira. In Accra, you might take in 400 GHS. In Lomé, it could be 20,000 CFA. This total number is your gross income. It looks like a lot of money, but it does not belong entirely to you. To know what you actually earned, you must subtract all the costs required to run your vehicle and complete your trips. What remains after paying these costs is your net profit. Net profit is the only money you can safely spend on food, family, and personal living expenses. THE HIDDEN EXPENSES OF DELIVERY AND RIDE WORK Many riders and drivers run out of money suddenly because they forget to count daily and weekly expenses. To see your true earnings, you must calculate these key costs: - App commissions: Ride and food apps usually take between 15% and 25% of every job. - Fuel and oil: Petrol or diesel is usually your biggest daily operational cost. - Mobile data and airtime: You cannot receive jobs or navigate maps without active internet data. - Routine maintenance: Brake pads, engine oil, tires, tubes, and chains wear down every single kilometer. - Vehicle loans or rental fees: If you pay daily work-and-pay fees or rent a motorcycle, this must be subtracted first. - Washing and minor repairs: Keeping your car or bike clean and fixing flat tires takes cash from your pocket. A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE: KOJO’S DAILY CALCULATION Let us look at Kojo, a motorcycle delivery rider in Accra. On Friday, Kojo works for 9 hours. Here is how his numbers look at the end of the shift: - Total cash and app bookings collected (Gross): 350 GHS - App commission (20%): 70 GHS - Petrol purchased: 80 GHS - Mobile data used: 10 GHS - Daily maintenance fund set aside: 30 GHS - Net Profit (350 - 70 - 80 - 10 - 30): 160 GHS Kojo collected 350 GHS in cash and app balance, but his true profit for his hard work was 160 GHS. If Kojo had spent 300 GHS on personal items on Friday night, he would not have enough money to buy fuel or pay for his next oil change on Saturday morning. [Try this today] Get a small pocket notebook or open a private chat with yourself on WhatsApp. At the end of your shift today, write down three numbers: Total Money Collected, Total Work Expenses (fuel, app fees, data), and Net Profit. Do this for five days in a row to see your true daily wage. BUILDING THE MAINTENANCE RESERVE A single puncture, a broken clutch cable, or an engine breakdown can stop you from working for days. Professional drivers never spend all their net profit. They put away a small fixed amount every day into a separate account or mobile money wallet. If you set aside 1,000 Naira or 20 GHS every day into a repair fund, you will not panic when your tire wears out or your vehicle needs a major service. Your business pays for its own repairs without disrupting your household budget. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What is the difference between gross income and net profit? A) Gross income is money earned at night, while net profit is money earned during the day. B) Gross income is the total money collected before expenses, while net profit is what remains after all costs are paid. C) Gross income includes app tips, while net profit does not. D) There is no difference; both terms mean the exact same amount of cash. Answer: B — Gross income is the total money taken in. Net profit is what stays in your pocket after subtracting app commissions, fuel, data, maintenance, and rental fees. 2. Why is it dangerous to spend all the money you collect in cash at the end of the day? A) Because ride apps will ban your account immediately. B) Because cash degrades faster than digital money. C) Because you will not have money left to pay for petrol, app fees, or vehicle repairs tomorrow. D) Because local traffic police require you to show your full wallet. Answer: C — Much of the cash you collect belongs to app fees, fuel suppliers, and future vehicle maintenance. Spending it all leaves you unable to work tomorrow. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 8: Staying safe and planning ahead 8 minutes read SAFETY IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS ASSET In the transport trade, your health and your vehicle are your capital. If your motorcycle is damaged or you are injured in an accident, your earnings drop to zero instantly. Riding or driving aggressively to make one quick delivery fee is never worth the risk of an accident or an assault. [Safety First on Every Trip] Never prioritize a fast delivery over your personal safety. If an address looks unsafe, if a customer demands you enter an unlit alley late at night, or if a passenger becomes violent, cancel the trip immediately. Move to a well-lit, busy area and report the issue to app support or local law enforcement. MANAGING NIGHT SHIFTS AND HIGH-RISK AREAS Working at night or delivering to unfamiliar neighborhoods can yield higher fares, but it brings greater risk. Protect yourself by following these core security habits: - Avoid carrying large cash amounts: Deposit Cash on Delivery (COD) funds into your mobile money account (MoMo, Paga, or Orange Money) as soon as possible during your shift. - Keep your fuel tank at least half full: Never get stuck in an unfamiliar area late at night with an empty fuel tank. - Verify drop-off spots before arriving: Check maps before heading into dark or quiet residential zones. Stay on main roads whenever possible. - Trust your instincts: If a location or customer makes you feel uneasy, stay in your car with doors locked or stay on your motorcycle with the engine running. DEALING WITH WEATHER AND ROAD HAZARDS Heavy rains in cities like Accra, Lagos, or Abidjan quickly lead to flooded roads, slippery asphalt, and hidden potholes. When severe weather hits, slow down immediately. Rain increases your stopping distance by double or triple. If visibility becomes poor, pull over at a safe petrol station or covered location until the heavy downpour stops. Arriving 20 minutes late with an intact vehicle and a safe delivery is always better than crashing. PLANNING AHEAD FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS Riding a motorcycle or driving a taxi for 10 hours a day is physically demanding. To build a lasting career in transport, you must plan for your physical health and long-term financial security. - Take mandatory breaks: Rest for 15 minutes every 3 to 4 hours. Stretch your back and legs, and drink clean water to stay alert. - Protect your body: Always wear a heavy-duty helmet, long pants, riding shoes, and a high-visibility jacket to reduce fatigue and injuries. - Set up an emergency fund: Aim to save at least one month of living expenses in a separate bank or mobile wallet to cover sickness or unexpected vehicle breakdowns. - Plan your next career step: Use your savings and experience to purchase your own vehicle, start a small fleet, or transition into transport dispatch and logistics management. [Try this today] Before starting your next shift, share your live GPS location on WhatsApp with a family member or trusted fellow rider. Store emergency contacts and app support numbers on speed dial on your mobile phone. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What should a rider or driver do if a drop-off location feels unsafe late at night? A) Enter the dark area quickly to get the order finished fast. B) Demand double cash from the customer before approaching. C) Stay in a well-lit public spot, contact the customer, or cancel the trip if safety is threatened. D) Leave the vehicle unlocked on the street and search for the house on foot. Answer: C — Your safety always comes first. Never go into isolated or dark places if you feel unsafe. Stay in a safe, lit place, contact the customer, or cancel the order. 2. What is the safest way to manage physical cash collected from customers during a shift? A) Keep all cash visible in your shirt pocket. B) Deposit cash into a mobile money wallet or bank account periodically during the day. C) Leave the cash inside your glove box overnight. D) Give the cash to street traders for safe keeping. Answer: B — Depositing collected cash into mobile money or your bank account reduces the amount of physical money you carry, lowering the risk of loss or robbery. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 9: Build Your Professional Profile 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Set up a simple, honest professional presence online so employers and customers can find and trust you. Before someone hires you or buys from you, they often look you up. A professional profile is simply a clean, honest page that answers three questions: who are you, what can you do, and how can someone reach you? You do not need to be famous or have a computer. A phone and one good photo are enough to start. START WITH WHAT IS FREE - WhatsApp Business — free app. Add your trade, working hours, location and a short catalogue of your work or services. Many customers in West Africa will find you here first. - Google Business Profile — free. If you have a shop, workshop or stall, this puts you on Google Maps so people nearby can find you. - LinkedIn (free Basic account) — useful if you want office, NGO or company work. Add a clear photo, your trade or skill, and two or three lines about what you have done. - Local job and trade groups — Facebook and WhatsApp groups for your town or trade are where many real opportunities are shared first. You do not need all four on day one. Pick the one where your customers or employers actually are. A tailor or caterer may get more from WhatsApp Business and local groups; an IT support learner may need LinkedIn first. Add the others over time. WHAT MAKES A PROFILE TRUSTWORTHY - A real photo of you — face visible, plain background, neat clothing. No sunglasses, no filters. - Your real name, written the same way everywhere. - One honest sentence about what you do: 'I install and repair solar home systems in Hohoe.' - Proof: photos of finished work, a certificate, or a short quote from a happy customer. - A phone number or WhatsApp link that actually works. [Protect yourself] Never pay anyone who promises to 'verify' your profile or guarantee you a job for a fee. Real platforms like LinkedIn, WhatsApp Business and Google Business Profile are free to set up. Anyone asking for money to list you is likely a scammer. [Try this today] Write your one honest sentence — who you are and what you do — and save it in your notes. You will reuse it in every profile, CV and introduction from now on. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. Which of these is free to set up and puts your workshop on Google Maps? A) A paid business directory B) Google Business Profile C) A printed flyer D) A website you pay a developer for Answer: B — Google Business Profile is free and places your business on Google Maps and Search, so people nearby can find you. You only need a phone and your business details. 2. What is the most important quality of a professional profile photo? A) It was taken by a professional photographer B) It uses an attractive filter C) Your face is clearly visible and you look neat D) It shows you with expensive items Answer: C — Employers and customers want to see a real, trustworthy person. A clear, neat photo with a plain background builds more trust than any filter or expensive backdrop. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 10: Write Your Goals and Plan for Obstacles 10 min read OBJECTIVE: Turn a wish into a written goal, review it weekly, and use if-then plans to handle the obstacles that usually stop you. A goal that stays in your head is a wish. A goal written down, with a date and a next step, is a plan. Research on how people actually change their behaviour keeps finding the same thing: people who write their goals down, check them regularly, and decide in advance what to do when things go wrong are far more likely to finish what they start. WRITE IT DOWN, THE PRACTICAL WAY - One goal at a time. 'Finish the solar course by 30 November' beats five vague wishes. - Make it checkable. You should be able to say 'done' or 'not done' — not 'I tried my best'. - Give it a date. A goal without a date quietly becomes 'someday'. - Write the very next small step. Not 'get a job' but 'message two hardware shops on Saturday morning'. - Keep it where you will see it — a notebook, a note on your phone, or paper on the wall. THE WEEKLY REVIEW — 15 MINUTES THAT CHANGE EVERYTHING Pick one fixed moment each week — Sunday evening works well for many people. Ask yourself three questions: What did I finish this week? What got in my way? What is my next step for the coming week? Write the answers down. This small habit catches problems while they are still small, and it reminds you that you are moving, even when progress feels slow. IF-THEN PLANS: DECIDE BEFORE THE OBSTACLE ARRIVES Most plans fail at the same predictable moments: the data bundle runs out, a friend invites you out on study night, rain cancels the job you planned. An if-then plan is a decision you make now, so a hard moment does not require willpower later. The format is simple: 'IF [obstacle happens], THEN I will [specific action].' - IF my data finishes, THEN I will study from my downloaded offline lessons instead. - IF it rains on the day I planned to visit shops, THEN I will call them instead and visit the next day. - IF I feel too tired to study at night, THEN I will do just 10 minutes — starting is the hard part. - IF a customer delays payment, THEN I will send one polite reminder after three days, not argue. [A note on visualisation] Imagining your goal can help — but picture the steps, not just the reward. Instead of only dreaming about the certificate on your wall, picture yourself opening the lesson, answering the quiz, and messaging the customer. Picturing the process prepares you; picturing only the prize can actually relax you into doing nothing. [Try this today] Write one goal with a date, then write two if-then plans for the obstacles most likely to stop you. Keep them somewhere you will see this week. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What makes a goal 'checkable'? A) It is written in English B) You can clearly say whether it is done or not done C) Other people approve of it D) It is ambitious enough to impress people Answer: B — A checkable goal has a clear finish line: 'finish 8 lessons by Friday' can be marked done or not done. 'Do my best' cannot — and vague goals are easy to quietly abandon. 2. Your study night arrives and your data bundle has run out. What does a good if-then plan do? A) It forces you to buy more data immediately B) It tells you to skip studying until next week C) It gives you a decision you made in advance, like switching to your downloaded offline lessons D) It punishes you for not planning better Answer: C — An if-then plan removes the need for willpower in the moment: you decided earlier that IF data runs out, THEN you study offline. The decision is already made, so you just follow it. ---------------------------------------- Delivery Rider & Driver — Lesson 11: Introduce Yourself in 30 Seconds 8 min read OBJECTIVE: Prepare and practise a short, confident self-introduction you can use with employers, customers and new contacts. Many capable people miss opportunities because they freeze when someone asks 'So, what do you do?' A self-introduction is a short, prepared answer — about 30 seconds — that you have practised until it feels natural. It is not showing off. It is simply making it easy for people to understand how you can help them. THE THREE-PART SCRIPT - Who you are: your name and your trade or skill. 'My name is Amina. I am a trained pharmacy assistant.' - What you can do: one or two concrete things, with proof if you have it. 'I have completed training in dispensing support and stock management, and I helped in a busy pharmacy for three months.' - What you are looking for: say it clearly. 'I am looking for a position in a pharmacy or clinic in this area.' or 'I take catering orders for events of up to 100 people.' Put together, it sounds like this: 'Good morning, my name is Kofi. I am a solar technician — I have finished certified training in home solar installation, and I have already installed systems for three families in this town. I am looking for more customers, and I also do repairs and maintenance. Here is my number.' Thirty seconds, and the listener knows exactly what you offer. MAKE IT YOURS - Adjust the ending for the listener: a customer hears what you sell; an employer hears what job you want; a contact hears how they can help you. - Practise out loud, not in your head — say it to a friend, a mirror, or your phone's voice recorder, five times. - Keep it honest. A small true claim beats a big exaggerated one that falls apart at the first question. - End with a way to reach you: your number, your WhatsApp, or where your shop is. [For shy learners] Feeling nervous is normal and does not mean you are bad at this. Preparation is the cure: a practised script means you never have to invent sentences while nervous. Start by using it in low-pressure moments — with a neighbour, then a shopkeeper — before the big interview or the important customer. [Try this today] Write your three-part introduction in your notes, then say it out loud three times. Use it once this week with a real person. PRACTICE QUESTIONS 1. What are the three parts of a good 30-second introduction? A) Your family background, your education, your hobbies B) Who you are, what you can do, what you are looking for C) Your salary expectation, your location, your age D) Your problems, your needs, your complaints Answer: B — The script answers the three questions every listener has: who is this person, what can they do for me, and what do they want? Keep it short, honest and practised. 2. What is the best way to prepare your introduction? A) Memorise a long speech about your whole life B) Wait for inspiration in the moment C) Practise a short script out loud several times before you need it D) Copy someone else's introduction word for word Answer: C — Saying it out loud — to a friend, mirror or voice recorder — is what makes it feel natural under pressure. A short, honest, practised script beats both improvisation and a long memorised speech. ---------------------------------------- Get the full app: https://miva-skillsnav.lovable.app