How to Pay TVDE Drivers Without Errors or Arguments

"How much do I get this month?" It's the question every driver asks — and one many operators can't answer immediately because the data is scattered across CSVs, WhatsApp messages, and spreadsheets.

The problem isn't bad faith. It's tooling. When the numbers aren't transparent, distrust sets in. And when there's distrust, there's conflict.

The two most common compensation models in Portugal

In the vast majority of TVDE operations in Portugal, driver payment follows one of two models:

Model 1: Percentage of net platform revenue

The driver receives a percentage of what the operator receives from the platform (after the Uber/Bolt commission). This is the most common model in Portugal, typically between 70% and 85%.

Example with 80%:

Model 2: Fixed monthly amount

The operator pays the driver a fixed amount each month, regardless of how much the car earned. Revenue risk sits entirely with the operator.

This model is less common but makes sense when the driver is an employee, or when the operation has very stable and predictable cash flows.

How to calculate percentage-based payment: step by step

For a given period (week or month):

1. Get the Uber and Bolt CSV for the period
2. Filter trips by vehicle (registration plate)
3. Sum the gross revenue of all trips for that vehicle
4. Subtract the platform commission → you get the net revenue
5. Apply the agreed percentage with the driver
6. Record the amount and payment date

Done manually, for 3 cars and two different CSVs, this takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours. Every month.

Documentation: what to record by law

Depending on the driver's employment status (self-employed / freelance, or employed), documentation requirements differ. But in any case, it's good practice to keep a record of:

• Reference period of the payment (from and to which date)
• Gross and net revenue for the period, by platform
• Detailed calculation of the amount payable (with the percentage applied)
• Date and method of payment (bank transfer, MB Way, cash)
• Driver confirmation (ideally a signature or written message)

How to avoid WhatsApp arguments

Most disputes about payments have one cause: the driver doesn't have access to the numbers in real time. They only find out what they received at the end of the month — with no visibility into how it was calculated.

When the driver can see their trips, cumulative revenue, and their share at any time, the questions stop reaching the operator. Transparency eliminates distrust.

Three ways to achieve this:

1. Send a weekly summary on WhatsApp — time-consuming, but works for 1–2 drivers
2. Share an editable spreadsheet — driver can see it but could change it; risky
3. Give access to a dedicated app — driver sees their own data in real time, without access to other drivers' data or the operator's finances

Ideal payment frequency

In Portugal, most TVDE operators pay fortnightly (twice a month) or weekly. Monthly payment is less common because drivers have fixed expenses distributed throughout the month.

The more frequent the payment, the more satisfied the driver — but the more administrative work for the operator. The ideal balance for most operations is fortnightly payment with a detailed breakdown.