TNVS & Delivery Fleet Business Guide (Philippines)
Practical playbook for starting a Grab/Lalamove-style delivery or TNVS fleet in the Philippines, including permits, platform onboarding, vehicle and driver requirements, and realistic cost ranges per vehicle.
What you'll learn in this TNVS & delivery fleet guide
This TNVS and delivery fleet business guide summarizes entity setup, tax and local permits, vehicle legalities, Grab/Lalamove onboarding, hiring drivers, insurance, and a realistic per-vehicle cost checklist so you can plan your fleet responsibly.
For step-by-step registration topics, you may also want to read our Business Registration & Bank Account Guide, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG Employer Registration Guide, and BIR Business Registration Guide.
Para ma-model ang per-vehicle capital, monthly expenses, at dispatch workflow, puwede mong gamitin ang Budget Calculator, ang Delivery Management System para sa routing at booking summaries, at ang Fieldperson Location Tracking para bantayan ang kilos ng mga driver sa field.
1) Decide business structure (sole prop vs corporation)
Sole proprietorship: register your trade name with DTI via the BNRS portal (bnrs.dti.gov.ph). Simplest option for a single owner starting a small fleet.
Corporation/Partnership: register with SEC (higher fees, but often preferred for larger fleets or if you plan to bring in investors/partners).
Platforms and government permits generally require that your business is properly registered before you sign fleet or TNVS contracts.
Typical fees (estimates)
- DTI name registration: ≈ ₱200–₱2,000 depending on territorial scope.
- SEC incorporation: depends on capital and schedules (name reservation ≈ ₱100; filing/registration = % of authorized capital with minimums).
2) Tax & local permits (BIR, Barangay, Mayor’s Permit, social benefits)
Register with BIR to get your TIN, Certificate of Registration (Form 2303), and authority to print receipts.
Secure Barangay Clearance first, then apply for Mayor’s / Business Permit at your city/municipal hall. These are required for local operations.
If you hire drivers as employees, register as an employer with SSS, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG and remit monthly contributions.
Typical fees (estimates)
- BIR registration / initial doc taxes / OR printing: roughly ₱500–₱5,000+.
- Barangay clearance: about ₱200–₱1,000.
- Mayor’s permit & local business tax: around ₱1,000–₱10,000+ depending on LGU and gross receipts.
3) Vehicle legalities (LTO registration / OR & CR / LTFRB if applicable)
Make sure each vehicle has valid LTO Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) under the correct name (owner or company). These are standard requirements for platforms.
For trucks-for-hire or certain public transport operations, you may need LTFRB Provisional Authority (PA) or Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC). For many Grab/Lalamove motorcycles and vans, LTO OR/CR plus platform-specific checks are the main items, but consult LTFRB for larger operations.
Typical fees / items
- LTO registration fees, MVUC, emission tests — vary by vehicle type, age, and engine size.
- LTFRB PA/CPC processing — requires document prep and processing; costs are mostly administrative but can add time to your launch.
4) Platform (Grab / Lalamove) fleet onboarding
Grab (TNVS / fleet) — key steps
- Review Grab TNVS/fleet partner requirements for drivers, OR/CR, and business documents.
- Prepare notarized OR/CR, proof of ownership, driver NBI/medical/drug tests, and business/BIR documents for corporate fleets.
- Apply via Grab’s fleet/TNVS portal or Fleet Partnerships team; attend any required orientation or training sessions.
Lalamove — key steps
- Check Lalamove’s Fleet Owner / Fleet Operator program (many guides mention starting with at least 2 vehicles).
- Sign up via the Lalamove fleet registration page, upload vehicle and driver documents, and complete orientation.
- Once approved, your vehicles and drivers can start accepting jobs via the platform and your internal dispatching rules.
Common platform requirements
- Valid driver’s license (Professional for certain vehicle classes).
- NBI clearance, drug test, and basic medical (fit-to-work) for drivers.
- Clean OR/CR and, for corporate fleets, business registration and BIR documents.
5) Hiring & HR (drivers, assistants, dispatch, admin)
Create clear driver contracts or independent contractor agreements, plus SOPs for scheduling, maintenance, cash handling, and safety.
Register drivers as employees (or partners) with SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG if they are employed, and handle withholding tax and remittances correctly.
Typical one-time costs per driver
- NBI/background clearance, drug tests, and medical certificate: ~₱500–₱2,000 per driver.
- Uniforms, basic training, and onboarding materials: often ₱1,000+ per driver.
6) Operations essentials (insurance, fleet management, software)
Must-haves
- Motor/commercial vehicle insurance: third-party and, ideally, comprehensive coverage; often required by platforms.
- Fleet management tools: telematics or GPS tracking, dispatching software, driver app access, and a clear bookkeeping flow for platform payouts.
- Maintenance & contingency fund: budget for regular PM, penalties, accidents, and downtime for each vehicle.
Estimated recurring costs
- Insurance per vehicle: roughly ₱10,000–₱50,000+ per year, depending on vehicle and coverage.
- Fuel, maintenance, driver wages/commissions: main recurring expenses; depend heavily on usage and routes.
7) Quick cost summary (per-vehicle startup estimate)
| Item | Very approximate range |
|---|---|
| Vehicle acquisition (used van / pickup) | ₱400,000–₱1.5M+ |
| Initial LTO registration, taxes, OR/CR formalities | ₱2,000–₱20,000 |
| Business registration + BIR + Mayor’s + Barangay | ₱3,000–₱20,000 |
| Driver onboarding (clearances, med, uniform) | ₱1,000–₱3,000 per driver |
| Insurance | ₱10,000–₱50,000 per vehicle/year |
Platform onboarding itself is often free, but the biggest costs are vehicle purchase/financing, driver pay, and insurance. Government and permit fees are a smaller portion but are mandatory.
8) Practical timeline and checklist
- Decide entity (DTI vs SEC) and reserve business name.
- Register with BIR and prepare books of account.
- Secure barangay clearance and Mayor’s Permit (check your LGU fee schedule).
- Ensure each vehicle’s OR/CR is updated and in the correct owner/company name.
- Process driver requirements: NBI, drug test, medical cert, licenses; register as employer with SSS/PhilHealth/Pag-IBIG.
- Apply to Lalamove fleet portal and/or Grab Fleet; upload all fleet and driver documents and attend orientation.
- Get commercial insurance and set up a regular maintenance and inspection schedule.