As a driver, how do I get paid?

An important aspect of being a driver on CitizenShipper is understanding how the payment system works.

First and foremost - CitizenShipper does not mediate your transactions*. We simply serve as the matchmaker, connecting you with the client. This means you need to establish and agree on payment terms with your customer before booking.

Many drivers request COD (Cash on Delivery), where customers pay upon successful delivery of the shipment. Some drivers negotiate a partial upfront payment, which helps them cover expenses like gas and may reduce the risk of cancelation.

While upfront payments can be helpful, we advise customers to proceed with caution. It's best to opt for secure and retrievable payment methods.

If you do request cash upfront, we strongly recommend offering a retrievable payment method, i.e. allowing chargebacks, such as credit card payments or PayPal. These methods allow customers to dispute the payment if issues arise. We also require that you inform the customer of your payment requirements before they accept your bid and enter into a contract with you.

Payment methods

Cash or check is a common, easy way to get paid. However, offering electronic payment options, such as PayPal or credit card, can make the process even more convenient for customers. This can be the difference between you winning the job vs the customer selecting somebody else.

There are a number of simple options out there for accepting credit card payments. Services like Square.com, for example, make it easy to accept credit card payments by providing a card reader that attaches to your smartphone, allowing you to process transactions quickly and securely.

Please ensure that all costs, including processing fees and taxes, are clearly communicated to the customer and included in the quote. The quote provided should represent the total amount to be paid by the customer.

We encourage customers to take a moment to research the specific payment method they plan to use. Understanding the available dispute options offered by the app can help ensure a smoother transaction experience.

The Booking Fee

When a customer books you for a job, CitizenShipper charges them a Booking Fee. We do NOT take this fee out of your bid. What you bid is what you get paid! Our fee works on a sliding scale and is processed as a separate transaction once the customer books you for a job and does not go toward the driver’s payment*.

For more information on our fee structure based on shipment category, visit our help center quick start guide.

Late cancellations 

A problem that some drivers have run into is late cancellations. They occur when a customer cancels on you once you've already started planning the trip or are on the road. Having invested time and money into the trip, you can end up taking a considerable hit because of their change of plans.

To mitigate this, consider the following strategies. Some drivers ask for money upfront, a deposit providing partial coverage in case the shipment ends up canceled. Others choose to rely on our cancellation policy, which makes customers liable if they cancel within 72 hours of pick-up time. CitizenShipper does not mediate the cancelation fee between the transporter and the customer. 

If a cancellation occurs and payment of a cancellation fee is needed, you can use the letter template provided in the attachment below to contact the customer.

*Except for shipments that are part of the Secure Payments Program. You can read more about this program here.

What to read next

For more advice on bidding and payments, see the articles on finding shipments (3-minute read) and payment disputes (1-minute read).

For more general-purpose advice, see the Transporters section of our Help Center.