What is a delivery driver?
A delivery driver delivers a wide variety of items to different addresses and through different routes. They collect items and transport them to their destinations. They are responsible for collecting, transporting and safely delivering a range of items to designated locations ensuring all orders are delivered on time, in the right condition and to the right place.
How to become a delivery driver?
You may be able to start in this job through an intermediate apprenticeship as an express delivery operative with a delivery company. This apprenticeship will take a minimum of 12 months to complete.
You could apply directly to work as a delivery driver. Employers will expect you to have basic English, Maths skills and a good driving record with the right licence.
Delivery driver duties
Delivery driver duties are diverse and depend on the employer and specialty, but some responsibilities are common to most:
- Load, unload, prepare, inspect and operate a delivery vehicle
- Ask for feedback on provided services and resolve clients’ complaints
- Collect payments
- Inform customers about new products and services
- Complete logs and reports
- Abiding by all transportation laws and maintaining a safe driving record.
- Preparing reports and other documents relating to deliveries.
- Operating equipment and machines, such as cars, trucks, forklifts, etc.
Delivery driver skills
To be an effective delivery driver, you’ll need certain skills and competencies. The following are often cited in job vacancies:
- Willingness to adhere to assigned routes, schedules, safety procedures, and transportation laws
- Strong time management and customer service skills
- Ability to walk, drive, and lift and carry heavy items for extended periods
- Attention to detail
- Dependable and hardworking
- Proficient at driving and parking large vehicles
How to find a delivery driver job
These jobs are advertised online, in local newspapers and at your local jobcentre. To find all the delivery driver jobs near you, you need to:
- Search for delivery driver jobs on popular job websites such as; Indeed, Total Jobs and CV Library
- Use the DWP’s Find A Job Service
- Check local newspapers and local Facebook groups, especially groups dedicated to local jobs
Delivery Driver Job Titles
When you search for delivery driver jobs online, be aware that the jobs might be advertised using a different job title. Popular job titles for delivery driver jobs include;
- Van driver
- Multi-drop driver
- LGV Driver
- HGV Driver
What does a delivery driver do?
The job of a delivery driver varies depending on the job role and the company you’re working for. Check the duties and responsibilities of delivery driver job advertisements to find jobs that best suit your skills and experience.
The day-to-day tasks of a delivery driver include;
- collect goods from a depot, warehouse or pick-up point
- plan the route
- load the vehicle in an order that matches the delivery route you’ll take
- contact customers en route and update tracking systems
- make deliveries, hand over invoices and get customer signatures
- record mileage, and fuel that you buy
- update delivery records
- return undelivered items