Last Updated: July 21, 2026 | Rainfall, road conditions, and platform rules are subject to change at any time. Before heading out, please refer to announcements from the Central Weather Bureau, local alerts, and the platform app.
The number of orders on a rainy day might seem more appealing, but what really slows down a delivery isn’t usually taking too long to put on a raincoat—it’s reduced visibility, slippery road markings, longer braking distances, and having to park hurriedly to pick up food. If you don’t allow for a margin of error in even one of these stages, those few minutes you save can easily turn into a crash, a water-soaked meal, or a lost phone connection. My approach isn’t to rely on sheer guts; instead, I break down rainy-day deliveries into three segments—“five minutes before leaving,” “while on the move,” and “picking up and delivering the order”—and set a “stop-loss” point for each one in advance.
Ministry of Transportation 168 Traffic Safety PortalSafety Guidelines for Driving in the RainReminder: On rainy days, you should slow down, turn on your lights, and increase your following distance. If the rain is too heavy or you can no longer see the road ahead or the lane markings, it is not safe to continue riding your motorcycle. This isn’t being overly cautious; it’s the most important aspect of cost control when accepting rides in the rain: don’t risk your safety, your vehicle, and your ability to work in the coming days just for a single ride.
Five minutes before you leave, eliminate any potential trouble spots first.
The first step is to check the rain—don’t just look at the raindrop icon on your phone. Open the Central Weather Bureau’sHeavy Rain Advisory, confirm the administrative district you plan to run in, the alert level, and the duration of the alert. If there is a risk of short-duration heavy rain, lightning strikes, strong gusts, or flooding in low-lying areas, shorten your route to a familiar area with good drainage where you can quickly find shelter; if the alert level continues to rise, it’s better to stop running immediately rather than push through.
Step 2: Crouch down to inspect the tires; don’t just give them a quick kick. Whether the tread can still drain water, whether there are any foreign objects or cracks on the tread surface, and whether the tire pressure is noticeably abnormal—all of these factors affect traction on wet roads. Compiled by the 168 Traffic Safety PortalMotorcycle Tire Safety ReminderIt also points out that tread that is too shallow reduces water drainage, making hydroplaning more likely in rainy weather. If you’re unsure about the condition of your tires, visit a auto shop to have them checked first; on this site, theMaintenance and Care for Food Delivery MotorcyclesIt also lists the areas to check for daily consumables.
Step 3: Test the front and rear brakes and lights. First, at a low speed and in a safe location, check whether the front and rear brakes are functioning normally—don’t wait until you’re carrying food and turning a corner to realize the feel has changed. Headlights, taillights, turn signals, and brake lights should allow other road users to see you well in advance; a reflective vest, a brightly colored raincoat, and a clean helmet visor make you much more visible than if you’re dressed entirely in black and covered in fogged-up gear. At night, you should also useLights and Safety Checks for Night-Shift Food Delivery DriversDon’t mistake “I can see the road” for “others can see me.”
Finally, organize your gear. Your rain jacket should fit properly; the pant legs, drawstrings, and straps must not dangle near the wheels. Your phone’s waterproof case must not block the cooling vents or charging port, and you should have a plan to safely pull over and handle the situation if the touchscreen stops working. Wipe the lid, zippers, and inner pockets of the cooler dry. Have a dry cloth, spare plastic bags, and dividers that can hold drinks upright ready. It’s not about having as many items as possible; the key is to have a clear order for retrieving them so you don’t have to stand by the roadside rummaging through everything after you park.
- Weather: Confirmation of special advisories, rainfall trends, and risks of flooding and thunderstorms.
- Vehicle Condition: Tires, tire pressure, front and rear brakes, and all lights.
- Points to Check: Defogged visor, clean rearview mirror, and bright-colored or reflective gear.
- Meals: The insulated cooler is waterproof, drinks are securely held in place, and dry and wet items are kept separate.
- Stop-loss: First, decide at what level of rainfall or how poor visibility becomes you will stop taking orders.
Avoid sudden movements while driving, and don’t rush to save those ten seconds when picking up or delivering orders.
When rain first begins to fall, the oil, dust, and water on the road mix together, often making the surface more slippery than when it has been raining steadily for some time. Slow down well in advance of turns and keep the vehicle as upright as possible; treat crosswalks, lane markings, arrow markings, metal plates, manhole covers, and fallen leaves as areas with reduced traction. 168’sReminder on Preventing Motorcycle Skids in Rainy WeatherIt is recommended that you slow down, avoid slamming on the brakes all the way, and avoid riding over lane markings and manhole covers. In practice, this means completing all braking and steering maneuvers early, and minimizing sudden accelerations, abrupt lane changes, or heavy braking while turning.
Maintain a greater following distance than you would on dry roads; do not tailgate taxis, buses, or vans, and avoid driving into the inner turning radius of large vehicles. When you see standing water ahead, don’t guess how deep it is; if you cannot confirm the road surface, potholes, or the speed of the water flow, take an alternate route. After riding through standing water, find a safe, straight stretch of road and gently apply the brakes at low speed to confirm that braking feel has returned. If your visor continues to fog up, your rearview mirrors become unusable, or the rain is so heavy that you cannot see the lane markings, find a legal and safe place to stop first; do not wipe the lenses while riding.
When picking up your order at the store, it’s better to walk a few extra steps than to park at a corner, crosswalk, arcade entrance, or in a car-door-opening zone. First, come to a complete stop, turn off the engine, and make sure the side stands are fully extended before checking your phone or order. When you receive your drink, check the lid, seal, and cup holder first; secure soups and drinks separately. If there’s water in the insulated container, wipe it dry first to prevent the bottom of the paper bag from getting soaked. Before leaving, take ten seconds to review your navigation and memorize the direction of your first turn—this will save you from having to look down at your phone for directions while riding in the rain.
When making a delivery, do not ride onto slippery tiles or slopes just to get closer to the door. If you can park in a flat, well-lit spot that doesn’t obstruct others, get off your bike and walk the last short distance. For contactless deliveries, choose a dry, stable spot that doesn’t block the door. Before taking a photo, double-check the house number and order details to avoid having to make a redelivery in the rain. If the customer’s designated spot is flooded, briefly explain the situation in the platform message and ask for an alternative drop-off location, leaving a verifiable record of the communication.
There are three situations in which I will immediately stop accepting new orders: First, when I can no longer see the road conditions or lane markings ahead; second, when strong winds, thunderstorms, or standing water make it impossible to maintain stable control of the vehicle and stay on course; third, if any of the following lose basic functionality: tires, brakes, lights, my phone, or the insulated cooler. For orders I’ve already accepted, I’ll first pull over to a safe location and then follow the support procedures within the platform app. I will not use my phone while driving, nor will I cut through roadblocks or flooded areas just to save time.
After you’re done riding, don’t just leave your wet gear in a bag. Wipe down your insulated bag and phone mount, lay out your rain jacket to air out, do a quick check to see if any debris is stuck in your tires, and make a note of any sections of the route that were particularly slippery, had standing water, or were unsuitable for stopping today. The real value of riding in the rain isn’t proving that you’re brave enough to ride, but knowing sooner next time where to slow down, where to take a detour, and when to stop—and applying those insights to your next ride in the rain.
For more summaries of frontline work, seeDelivery Experience Section. This article is a compilation of general safety information and does not replace traffic laws, manufacturer maintenance guidelines, weather advisories, or platform regulations; for actual conditions, please refer to the relevant authorities, local announcements, and the platform app.