Proposed driver agreement
Working with SouthGo
This is a draft of the terms SouthGo intends to offer independent transport providers. Applying through the current driver form is an expression of interest only: it does not create an active driver account, authorise you to accept jobs or bind you to this draft. SouthGo is operated by Niombor Limited, company number 09193434.
1. Independent business
Car couriers and van drivers may apply. Drivers provide transport in their own independent business, using their own suitable vehicle and equipment. They may decide whether to accept an offered job and may work for others. The actual relationship and legal status depend on how the work is carried out, not only on the label in this document. Each driver is responsible for their own taxes and business registration where required.
2. Approval and insurance before jobs
SouthGo must review the driver's identity, right to work in the UK, driving licence, vehicle details, self-employed status and current insurance before offering jobs. A car is eligible only for jobs it can carry safely and that its insurance covers; larger moving jobs require a suitable van. The proposed SouthGo minimum is motor cover that expressly includes carrying customers' goods for hire or reward, goods-in-transit cover of at least £10,000 per load, and public liability cover of at least £1,000,000 per claim. These goods-in-transit and public liability figures are SouthGo's proposed onboarding standards, not claims about the legal minimum. A driver must hold a higher limit if the value or nature of a job needs it and may decline any job their cover does not insure. Where a driver employs a helper, any legally required employers' liability cover must also be in place. SouthGo will ask for policy schedules or certificates, expiry dates and proof of vehicle roadworthiness, and may verify cover. The driver must report any lapse or change immediately; job access will be paused until suitable cover is restored.
3. Accepting a job
Each offer must show the route, items, timing, required loading help, price payable to the driver and any material access information. A driver is free to decline an offer. Once accepted and confirmed, the driver must provide the agreed service with reasonable care and skill, comply with road and safety rules, use a suitable legal vehicle, arrive at the agreed time and tell SouthGo promptly of delays or problems. The driver must not send an unapproved substitute or subcontract a job without SouthGo's prior agreement and equivalent checks.
4. Responsibility and insurance claims
The driver is responsible for performing the agreed transport job and for the acts of approved helpers. The driver must report an accident, missing item, damage or complaint to SouthGo promptly, preserve photographs and delivery evidence, and cooperate with the customer and insurer. The driver is responsible to SouthGo for reasonably evidenced direct losses caused by the driver's negligence or breach, subject to applicable law and any contribution by SouthGo or others. SouthGo remains responsible for its own booking and platform duties. This draft does not remove customer statutory rights or transfer SouthGo's own negligence to a driver.
5. Fees and Friday payouts
SouthGo's proposed fee is 20% of the agreed transport charge, excluding separately shown VAT, parking, tolls and tips. The driver receives the remaining 80% of that transport charge plus any agreed pass-through amounts and VAT they must account for, if applicable. There is no joining fee. SouthGo intends to absorb ordinary Stripe card processing fees and any VAT due on its own platform fee within its 20% share; a driver remains responsible for VAT on their own transport supply where applicable. Refunds reverse the corresponding driver share and platform fee; any lawful customer cancellation amount retained will follow the same split after documented third-party costs. No new charge or deduction will be added without being shown in the job offer or agreed terms.
When Stripe Connect is activated, each driver will complete Stripe's connected-account onboarding. SouthGo intends to schedule payouts each Friday for cleared funds from completed, undisputed jobs reconciled by 6 pm Thursday. If Stripe has not made funds available by Friday, the job moves to the next eligible Friday run. Friday refers to payout initiation, not guaranteed bank arrival; a new Stripe account's first payout may take longer. Drivers will be able to see a statement of completed jobs, fees, refunds and payout amounts.
6. Cancellation, no-show and refunds
If a driver cannot complete an accepted job, they must tell SouthGo immediately so the customer can be offered a suitable replacement at the agreed price or a full refund. A driver who cancels without good reason, fails to attend or breaches a job may be responsible to SouthGo for reasonably evidenced direct losses caused by that failure, after steps to limit the loss. A customer who withdraws before driver confirmation owes no cancellation charge. For a confirmed booking, any late cancellation or waiting charge must have been disclosed before payment and be proportionate to genuine loss and costs. SouthGo will notify the driver of a proposed refund or deduction, explain the evidence and allow a reasonable chance to challenge it before a non-urgent deduction. There is no automatic penalty for a cancellation under this draft.
7. Customer information
Use customer names, addresses, contact details, photos and job notes only to assess and carry out assigned jobs. Keep them secure, share only with approved people who need them, report suspected loss or misuse promptly, and delete copies when no longer required for a legitimate job, claim or legal obligation. Do not use customer details for unrelated marketing or solicit work outside the platform using information obtained through SouthGo.
8. Complaints and ending access
Drivers should report customer complaints or damage to SouthGo promptly and cooperate in a fair investigation. SouthGo may stop offering jobs while safety, fraud or insurance concerns are investigated. Either party may stop taking new work; confirmed jobs and any earned payments or genuine outstanding claims must still be dealt with. The final agreement will specify notice, appeals and records.
Updated draft, 23 September 2026. These proposed standards are not an active driver agreement. Insurance verification, Stripe onboarding, payout controls and a signed claims and dispute process must be in place before a driver accepts a paid job.