How to get a delivery bike with little or no money (2026 guide)
Rent-to-own is the fastest route. In 2026 delivery bikes cost about R650–R1,250 a week over 12–24 months, with deposits from R0 to R1,500. You need an ID or a passport with a permit that allows work, a motorbike licence or learner's, proof of address and your delivery-app profile.
Your three options
| Option | Typical cost (2026) | Own it? |
|---|---|---|
| Buy a used 125cc bike cash | R10,000–R20,000 upfront | Yes, but often old and unreliable |
| Weekly bike rental | R500–R800 a week | Never |
| Rent-to-own | R650–R1,250 a week, 12–24 months | Yes, at the end |
Weekly rental feels cheaper, but after 18 months of R700 a week you’ve paid over R54,000 and still own nothing. With rent-to-own the same money buys you the bike.
What a good delivery-bike deal includes
- The delivery box, helmet and crash bars: some providers charge extra.
- Insurance for theft and accidents. Bike theft is the biggest risk to your income.
- Servicing. Delivery bikes do 600+ km a week. Monthly service keeps you earning.
- A plan for breakdowns. If the bike is in the workshop, do you get a replacement or keep paying?
- No balloon. The last weekly payment should be the last payment.
YeboAuto bikes include all five. See the bikes and their full price.
Requirements, step by step
- ID or passport + permit. South Africans need an ID. Foreign nationals need a valid passport and a permit that allows work.
- Licence. Code A or A1. A learner’s licence is accepted by some providers while you book your test.
- Delivery-app profile. Sign up to Uber Eats, Mr D, Checkers Sixty60 or Bolt Food and screenshot your profile.
- Proof of address not older than 3 months.
How to check you’ll make money
Weekly earnings − fuel − bike payment − data should leave you with enough to live on. A Honda Ace-class bike uses roughly 2.4 litres per 100 km, so 650 km a week costs about R350 in petrol. Try your numbers in the calculator.
Questions drivers ask
What do I need to rent a delivery bike?
A South African ID, or a passport with a valid work or asylum permit that allows work; a Code A or A1 motorbike licence or learner's licence; proof of address; and a screenshot of your delivery-app profile (Uber Eats, Mr D, Sixty60 or Bolt Food).
How much do delivery riders earn in South Africa?
It depends on the city, the app and the hours. A rider doing about 20–25 deliveries a day, 6 days a week, can earn roughly R3,500–R5,000 a week before fuel and bike costs. Use our calculator with your own numbers.
Can foreign nationals do deliveries in South Africa?
Yes, if your permit allows you to work. The delivery apps and rent-to-own providers will ask for a valid passport and permit.