Driver Network Standard

1. Purpose and Scope

This Driver Network Standard explains the professional, safety, privacy and operational expectations applying to any driver, courier, substitute, fleet member or transport provider performing Assignments through ShipSherpa.

The purpose of this standard is to:

protect customers;
protect Goods;
protect drivers;
protect the integrity of the ShipSherpa platform;
support professional delivery standards across the network.

This standard applies to all Assignments completed through ShipSherpa.

2. Independent Contractor Positioning

Drivers and Operators using ShipSherpa act as independent transport providers.

ShipSherpa provides:

technology systems;
customer workflows;
tracking tools;
proof-of-delivery processes;
marketplace access.

Drivers and Operators remain responsible for:

how transport services are performed;
route decisions;
lawful vehicle operation;
business decisions;
insurance;
legal compliance.

Nothing in this standard creates employment, worker status or guaranteed work.

3. Professional Conduct Expectations

Drivers must behave professionally at all times during active Assignments.

Drivers must not:

behave aggressively;
threaten others;
use abusive language;
discriminate unlawfully;
harass customers or site staff;
attend under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
behave dishonestly;
damage trust in the ShipSherpa network.

Professional conduct applies at:

customer premises;
warehouses;
retail sites;
loading bays;
public roads;
collection points;
delivery locations.

4. Customer Privacy and Confidentiality

All ShipSherpa deliveries must be treated as confidential.

Drivers must not:

disclose customer identities;
discuss delivery locations;
reveal delivery patterns;
share addresses;
discuss Goods carried;
post delivery information online;
retain customer information for personal use.

This obligation continues after the Assignment ends.

5. Customer Interaction Rules

Customer interaction must remain:

polite;
professional;
operationally necessary.

Drivers must not:

ask for selfies;
ask for autographs;
request social media follows;
request personal contact information;
remain at locations without operational reason;
behave intrusively.

Drivers should leave promptly once the Assignment is completed.

6. Safety-First Principle

Safety takes priority over delivery speed, customer pressure or operational convenience.

Drivers must not:

perform unsafe deliveries;
overload vehicles;
ignore dangerous conditions;
continue deliveries where serious safety risks exist.

Drivers may refuse unsafe or unlawful instructions.

7. Fitness to Drive

Drivers must be fit and legally able to drive.

Drivers must not perform Assignments while:

dangerously fatigued;
medically impaired;
under the influence of alcohol;
under the influence of illegal substances;
otherwise unsafe to drive.

Drivers remain responsible for complying with applicable driving and rest requirements.

8. Vehicle and Legal Compliance

Vehicles used for ShipSherpa Assignments must:

be roadworthy;
be legally compliant;
hold valid MOT certification where required;
hold appropriate insurance;
be suitable for the relevant Assignment.

Drivers must:

hold valid licences;
comply with road traffic laws;
comply with parking restrictions;
comply with lawful loading rules.

9. Vehicle Cleanliness and Presentation

Vehicles used for Assignments should be:

clean;
safe;
free from excessive odour;
suitable for transporting customer Goods.

Drivers must not wear:

offensive clothing;
unsafe footwear;
clothing likely to undermine professional standards.

10. Safe Goods Handling

Goods must be:

loaded safely;
secured properly;
protected from weather;
protected from theft;
protected from contamination;
delivered only to authorised recipients.

Drivers must report visible damage or unsafe packaging before transport where reasonably possible.

11. Dangerous Goods and Unsafe Cargo

Drivers must not knowingly transport:

prohibited Goods;
leaking Goods;
unstable cargo;
undeclared dangerous Goods;
unlawful items.

Unsafe or suspicious cargo must be reported immediately.

Drivers may refuse unlawful or dangerous Assignments.

12. App Usage and Data Integrity

Drivers must use the ShipSherpa Platform honestly and accurately.

Drivers must not:

falsify updates;
manipulate GPS data;
upload false POD;
reuse old photos;
hide who completed a delivery;
falsely mark deliveries complete.

Accurate operational data protects:

customers;
claims processes;
fraud prevention;
payment integrity.

13. Mobile Phone and Distracted Driving Rules

Drivers must comply with all laws relating to mobile phone use while driving.

Drivers must not:

use handheld devices while driving;
interact with the app unsafely;
operate vehicles while distracted.

Drivers should safely stop before interacting with the Platform where necessary.

14. Tracking and Platform Transparency

ShipSherpa may collect operational data during active Assignments including:

GPS location;
timestamps;
delivery progress;
POD records;
exception reports.

This information may be used for:

customer visibility;
fraud prevention;
dispute handling;
claims management;
payment verification;
operational support.

15. Delivery Evidence Standards

Drivers must capture accurate evidence for:

successful deliveries;
failed deliveries;
safe-place deliveries;
collection confirmation;
delivery exceptions.

Evidence may include:

signatures;
photographs;
timestamps;
GPS confirmation;
recipient confirmation.

16. Failed Delivery Procedures

Drivers must report failed deliveries promptly.

Drivers must not:

abandon Goods unlawfully;
leave Goods unattended without authorisation;
create false delivery evidence.

Reasonable evidence of failed-delivery attempts may be required.

17. Incident and Emergency Reporting

Drivers must report promptly:

accidents;
thefts;
breakdowns;
customer disputes;
unsafe conditions;
damaged Goods;
police involvement;
security incidents.

Drivers may be required to cooperate with:

insurers;
investigations;
evidence requests.

18. Driver Safety and Unsafe Situations

Drivers may leave or refuse situations involving:

threatening behaviour;
unsafe premises;
dangerous access;
criminal activity;
harassment;
violence.

Personal safety must not be compromised to complete an Assignment.

19. Anti-Harassment and Equality Standards

ShipSherpa expects respectful treatment of:

customers;
drivers;
warehouse staff;
site personnel;
support teams.

Unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation or hate-related behaviour is prohibited.

20. Customer Safeguarding

Drivers must behave appropriately around:

children;
elderly individuals;
vulnerable persons;
private residences.

Drivers must not:

enter homes unnecessarily;
exploit customer vulnerability;
behave inappropriately.

21. Security and Theft Prevention

Drivers must take reasonable steps to protect Goods and vehicles from theft.

Drivers should:

lock vehicles when unattended;
avoid insecure parking where possible;
avoid leaving Goods exposed unnecessarily.

Smoking or vaping inside vehicles carrying customer Goods is prohibited.

22. Account Security

Drivers must keep account credentials secure.

Drivers must not:

share accounts;
share passwords;
allow unapproved users to access the Platform;
create fraudulent duplicate accounts.

23. Approved Driver Rules

Only approved drivers may complete ShipSherpa Assignments.

Where substitutes or fleet drivers are used, Operators remain responsible for:

conduct;
insurance;
legal compliance;
POD accuracy;
customer interaction.

Unauthorised substitution may result in removal from the network.

24. Customer Non-Circumvention

Drivers and Operators must not knowingly use ShipSherpa introductions to obtain direct competing work outside the Platform.

Drivers must not:

divert customer relationships;
offer private quotations;
use customer information for personal marketing.

25. Social Media and Public Content Rules

ShipSherpa Assignments must not be used for:

content creation;
public posting;
social media exposure;
influencer activity.

Drivers may be required to remove prohibited content relating to Assignments.

26. Investigation Cooperation

Drivers and Operators must cooperate reasonably with:

fraud investigations;
customer complaints;
insurance claims;
theft investigations;
safety investigations.

Relevant evidence may be requested.

27. Serious Breaches

Examples of serious breaches include:

false POD;
theft;
GPS manipulation;
privacy breaches;
dangerous driving;
unauthorised substitution;
customer harassment;
dishonest conduct;
misuse of customer information.

This list is not exhaustive.

28. Consequences of Breach

ShipSherpa may:

suspend access;
terminate access;
withhold disputed payments reasonably;
recover losses where legally permitted;
notify insurers or authorities where appropriate.

Serious breaches may result in immediate action.

29. Operational Policies

ShipSherpa may maintain separate:

onboarding policies;
prohibited goods schedules;
safety procedures;
investigation procedures;
insurance standards;
operational guidance.

Drivers and Operators may be required to comply with such policies.

30. Driver Confirmation

By accessing ShipSherpa, accepting Assignments or performing deliveries through the Platform, Drivers and Operators confirm that they:

understand this Driver Network Standard;
agree to comply with it;
understand their responsibilities as independent transport providers.

Protect the customer. Protect the Goods. Protect the platform.