A driver parks at a filling station in Ikeja, opens the Sphere driver app, and gets stuck at the upload screen. The licence photo is blurry, the vehicle papers are at home, and the phone is at 9%. He closes the app and tells himself he will do it tomorrow. Tomorrow turns into next week.
Approval is not hard, but it goes faster when you sit down once with everything in front of you. This guide is about that one sitting.
Why Sphere checks drivers first
Customers on Sphere are handing a stranger their wardrobe, their stock or their office computers. Before a driver can take jobs, they submit their licence, ID and vehicle details for approval. It protects the customer, and it protects you, because every driver on the platform has gone through the same step.
Joining is free. Sphere takes 10% of each job and you keep 90%.
What to have in front of you
Gather these before you open the app:
- your driver's licence, the physical card, not a photocopy
- a valid means of identification
- your vehicle details: the type (pickup van or truck), the plate number and the capacity
- a phone with enough battery and a decent camera
- a good data connection, because uploads fail on weak signal
If the vehicle is owned by someone else, such as a boss or a relative, speak to them before you start so you know what the vehicle details are and that they are happy for it to be used.
Take clear photos
Most delays come from bad pictures, not bad documents. Do this:
- Put the licence flat on a plain surface in daylight, near a window.
- Hold the phone straight above it so the card is not at an angle.
- Check that every word and number is readable before you upload.
- Wipe the camera lens with your shirt. It sounds silly, but a greasy lens makes everything look blurred.
- Retake any photo where there is glare from the sun or the flash.
Match your vehicle to the right category
Sphere lists pickup vans up to 2,400kg and trucks up to 27,000kg. Be honest about which one you drive. Customers choose a vehicle based on their load, so if you register a van as a truck, you will end up with jobs the vehicle cannot carry and unhappy customers at the gate.
If you are unsure about the capacity of your vehicle, check the manufacturer's information for it and follow the manufacturer's guidance. Do not guess upwards.
Drive with Sphere
Turn your truck or van into steady income
Accept move requests in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan on your own schedule. Free to join, and you keep 90% of every job.
Keep your details consistent
The name on your licence, the name on your ID and the name you use in the app should match. A short nickname in one place and a full name in another can slow things down. Use the same spelling everywhere.
What to do while you wait
Do not just sit and refresh the screen. Use the time to get your vehicle ready:
- wash out the load area and sweep the bed
- check your tyres, including the spare
- keep a few straps, ropes and a tarpaulin in the vehicle (see our guide on securing a load)
- carry a few moving blankets or old duvets for wrapping furniture
- set up your phone mount and keep a power bank in the cab
When approval comes through, you want to accept your first job the same day, not start hunting for ropes.
After approval
Once you are approved, you can see nearby customer jobs. You can accept the price a customer proposes or send a counter-offer. Read the load description carefully, because the better the description, the fewer surprises at the pickup. Our counter-offers guide shows how to price a counter sensibly.
For the full picture of earning on the platform, see drive and earn.
How to do this on Sphere
- Download the driver app from https://www.sphere.ng/download-driver/.
- Create your account and choose whether you drive a pickup van or a truck.
- Upload your licence, ID and vehicle details.
- Wait for approval, then switch on and start looking at nearby jobs.
- Accept a customer's price or send a counter-offer.
Sphere operates in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay to join Sphere as a driver?
No. Joining is free for drivers. Sphere takes 10% of each completed job and you keep 90%.
What do I need to submit before I can take jobs?
Your driver's licence, your ID and your vehicle details. All of it is reviewed for approval before you can take jobs.
Can I register a pickup van and a truck?
Register the vehicle you will actually be driving. Pickup vans on Sphere go up to 2,400kg and trucks up to 27,000kg, so pick the category that matches the real capacity of your vehicle.
Which cities can I work in?
Sphere operates in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan. Trucks and pickup vans are available in all three.
What if my documents are not clear enough?
Retake the photos in daylight, lay the document flat and make sure every word is readable. Clear photos are the simplest way to avoid delays.
Start driving
Turn your truck or van into steady income
Accept move requests in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan on your own schedule. Free to join, and you keep 90% of every job.
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