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As a delivery driver you will be responsible, not only for safely couriering your cargo to its destination, but also for organising your route, looking after your vehicle and completing any necessary paperwork.
You will also need to be physically fit enough to handle any lifting or loading that needs to be done and, as many roles involve customer interaction, it is important that you are a friendly and approachable person.
Main Duties
- Planning each day's deliveries to make sure the route taken is as efficient as possible.
- Filling out all required paper work to ensure deliveries are properly recorded.
- Be a good representative of the company not only out on the road, but also when interacting with customers.
- Collecting and holding monies from 'cash on delivery' transactions.
- Carrying out appropriate safety checks on your vehicle each day and taking care of its general maintenance.
- In some positions you may be required to load/unload your vehicle.
Skill and Personal Qualities Needed
- A clean driving license.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Good customer care and communication skills.
- In some cases you will need to physically fit enough to carry out loading and unpacking.
- To be an early riser, as shifts often start at 7am or earlier.
- In some cases you'll be required to work night shifts, so flexibility can be important.
- Often previous experience of professional driving is needed.
- A good geographical knowledge of the area you'll be working in.
- Ability to concentrate on the road for long periods of time.
- To drive in a way which is both safe and fuel efficient.
- Some knowledge of basic vehicle maintenance.
- You need to be over 18.
Qualifications
Depending on the job in question there are a number of formal qualifications you may need in order to become a delivery driver. This largely depends on the type of vehicle you'll be working with and the type of license it requires.
One qualification you'll almost definitely need is the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). This qualification is a must have for anyone looking to work with a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV), Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) or a Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) within the European Union.
If you are driving a van weighing up to 3.5 tonnes (or 7.5 tonnes with a trailer) you'll need a C1 category driving license.
If the vehicle is heavier than this you'll need a C+E license.
To acquire these additional licenses, just as with your standard license, you'll have to complete a theory test as well as a practical driving exam. These licenses and the CPC are all awarded by the DVLA.
Pay and Benefits
The average pay for a delivery driver tends to be in the region of £17,000 per annum, however, depending on the company and the nature of your deliveries this can be much higher, somewhere nearer to £23,000 per annum. Drivers who courier highly sensitive material can earn considerably more, but normally need a lot of experience before being taken on.
Benefits will vary massively between employers. For example if you are working as a delivery driver for a large supermarket or delivering parcels for a global logistics company you will benefit form the size of the organisation and their benefits package. If, for example, you work for an independent florist, you're unlikely to receive any extra benefits aside from basic remuneration and holidays.
Career Path
As being a delivery driver allows you to learn a set of skills that can be used in many different companies there is a lot of scope to move forward. With more experience and a wider range of qualifications you will be in a position to work delivering a range of different goods and using different types of vehicle, all of which can lead to an increase in your pay.
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