Delivery van driver
Delivery van drivers collect parcels from a warehouse and deliver them to customers.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
As a delivery driver you could:
- collect items from a warehouse or pick up point
- plan the route and load the vehicle to match this route
- contact customers and update tracking systems and delivery records
- make deliveries, give invoices and get customer signatures
- record mileage and fuel and return undelivered items
Working environment
You could work from a vehicle.
You may need to wear a uniform.
Career path and progression
With experience you could:
- become a delivery coordinator and manage a team of delivery drivers
- use your driving skills to work in other types of transport
- do training to become a HGV driver and work in freight transport
- get a Security Industry Association license and do specialist training to drive and deliver cash and high value items
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- customer service skills
- the ability to organise your time and workload
- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- sensitivity and understanding
- knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Restrictions and Requirements
You'll need to:
- have a full driving licence
Your employer might supply you with a delivery van, but if you're self-employed you'll need your own vehicle.
You'll also need to check what type of insurance is required for your vehicle and for the goods you transport, especially if self-employed.
How to become
You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or by applying directly.
You could do an Express Delivery Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or an Urban Driver Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.
These apprenticeships take at least 1 year to complete.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More Information
You could apply directly to work as a delivery driver.
Employers will expect you to have:
- basic English and maths skills
- a good driving record
- the correct driving licence
Career tips
You'll find it useful to have experience in storage, working in a warehouse or other driving work.
Further information
You can find out more about working in logistics from Generation Logistics.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.