A delivery driver drives a van, light truck (a medium sized goods vehicle up to 7.5 tonnes in weight), car or scooter/moped delivering goods such as furniture, groceries, office equipment, medicines or takeaway food from one place to another. They are sometimes called couriers. The transportation of valuables or cash involves the use of a different type of vehicle (see the Security Officer or Guard job profile).
The Work
You could be:
working out a delivery plan
loading the vehicle so that goods are arranged in the correct order for delivery
unloading the goods at each destination
helping to carry in any heavy items
getting a signature of receipt from the person receiving the goods, sometimes using a hand-held device, and sometimes taking payment
keeping the vehicle clean and tidy and carrying out basic maintenance
updating delivery records, manually or using a hand-held computer
making sure that you keep the vehicle and goods secure.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).
As of 1 April 2023 the National Minimum Wage is £7.49 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20 and £10.18 an hour for workers aged 21 to 22. The National Living Wage for those aged 23 and over. is £10.42 an hour. With experience, this can rise to around £12.00 an hour, or more. The hourly rate may vary depending on whether delivery targets are met.
Delivery drivers for some companies are self-employed, so earnings vary.
Conditions
You may work within a local area or drive over longer distances.
You may work varied hours including weekends and evenings.
You would have to drive the vehicle in all weather conditions.
You may have to visit the warehouses and depots of a wide variety of companies.
Depending on the goods you are dealing with, you may have to do a lot of heavy lifting.
You may have to meet targets, such as making a set number of deliveries a day.
You can qualify for an ordinary driving licence (category B) at 17 years and this lets you drive vans up to 3.5 tonnes, including the load. Most vehicles fall into this category.
A category C1 licence allows you to drive medium sized goods vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, including the load. You need to be at least 18 to apply for a C1 licence.
Depending on the employer, you may need to have held your licence for at least one year.
For driving vehicles over 7.5 tonnes, see the Lorry or LGV Driver job profile.
You need to be fit if the job involves heavy lifting.
You may be able to get in through a Modern Apprenticeship. This normally leads to SVQs.
You will require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.
Your employer would provide initial training through an induction course. Thereafter, there may be further short courses.
The courses would cover topics such as company rules, types of goods carried, health and safety and manual handling.
You would learn other aspects of the job, including delivery routes, from more experienced drivers.
If you do a Modern Apprenticeship you will be able to gain an SVQ, such as Driving Goods Vehicles at SCQF Level 5 or 6.
Experienced delivery drivers can also work towards SVQs.
Getting On
Delivery drivers may move on to other jobs in the transport and distribution industry.
Opportunities exist as transport supervisors, controllers and managers.
Self-employment is a possibility.
It is also possible to move into administrative, warehouse and general management posts.
Alternatively, you may wish to take further driving tests to allow you to drive Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) or Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs) such as buses and coaches.
The DVSA replaced the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) in April 2014. Its aim is to promote road safety through improving driving standards, testing drivers, motorcyclists and driving instructors, maintaining the registers of Approved Driving Instructors and Large Goods Vehicle Instructors and supervising training for learner motorcyclists.
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