Evening and weekend courier runs by car

Small online sellers, local shops, medical and dental clinics, and offices that need regular pickups but not a full-time driver.

A set fee per route or per stop, often billed monthly to repeat clients, which gives steadier income than one-off jobs.

• Reliable and punctual
• Organised route planning
• Careful handling of parcels and paperwork
• Friendly, professional manner

• Standard car insurance may not cover paid deliveries, so check with your insurer before taking jobs
• Check whether handling items such as medical samples needs special training or rules in your province
• Keep records of mileage and expenses for tax and register for GST/HST once required
• Wear and tear on your own car, so price in maintenance
• Winter road conditions can disrupt fixed schedules

Startup costs are typically around $200 to $1,500, depending on what equipment you need and how you set up your routes. These are estimates, and they assume you already have a car to use.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on your routes, clients and hours. Wear and tear on your own car is a real cost, and winter road conditions can disrupt fixed schedules, so price those in.

Standard car insurance may not cover paid deliveries, so check with your insurer before taking jobs. Check whether handling items such as medical samples needs special training or rules in your province. Keep mileage and expense records, and register for GST/HST once required.