Delivery Driver Job Description, Qualifications and Outlook

Delivery drivers’ responsibilities include bringing goods from one location to another. This involves hours on the road, so a clean driving record is essential to the position. Hours on the road delivering goods means that drivers will need to be able to navigate effectively to ensure goods are delivered in a timely manner. In this article, we will be looking at a delivery driver job description, duties and qualifications. We will also discuss delivery driver job prospects.

Job Overview: What Does a Delivery Driver Professional Do?

A delivery driver will load the truck or van at the beginning of their route. The items will need to be stacked securely in the vehicle to avoid broken items. After detailing the best route possible, the driver will have to make it safely to the destination where he or she will unload the items.

The hours of a delivery driver will depend on what is being delivered. Perishable goods will need to be delivered under time constraints. The driver might work early morning hours before 6 a.m. to ensure the food makes it to the destination before the store opens.

The driver might have to work late to ensure that all goods are delivered on their route. They can’t clock out until all the items are delivered. In busy seasons, the driver might need to work overtime or overnight shifts. This will depend on the goods being delivered.

Delivery drivers should have a clean driving record and be able to pass a background check. The experience needed will depend on the kind of truck being driven. The proper license is required for large trucks.

Delivery Driver Job Duties

• Load and unload items from the truck
• Stack goods properly to ensure they’re secure
• Have the ability to use GPS or a map for deliveries
• Maintain documentation regarding distribution of items
• Accept payments for deliveries
• Detail mileage and delivery times
• Maintain vehicle as well as its paperwork
• Keep a clean vehicle
• Handle invoices as well as discrepancies

Delivery Driver Job Essential Skills

Driving skills. The delivery driver spends most of the day on the road. The driver must be able to navigate city traffic as well as plot the best course to deliver goods in a timely manner.

Lifting Ability. The delivery driver has to be able to lift a certain amount of weight to load and unload the goods.

Physically Fit. Along with being able to lift approximately 50 pounds, the driver has to be able to hop in and out of the vehicle and walk with ease.

Organizational Skills. A driver has to be able to organize the items in the truck to ensure safety during travel. Shifting cargo can lead to accidents.

Time Management Skills. The delivery schedule has to be charted by the driver, which involves mapping out the best routes. The dispatcher might reroute the driver throughout the day too.

Quick Reflexes. Driving a delivery vehicle for hours every day on the road means avoiding situations that could result in an accident. This calls for quick reflexes while navigating busy streets.

Communication Skills. In the daily duties of delivery drivers, they’ll need to communicate with the dispatcher as well as the customer. Paperwork and the product will need to be reviewed with the client before delivery is complete.

Becoming a Delivery Driver 

Delivery drivers need a special license if they are operating a large truck. Drivers have a short on-the-job training period before they’ll be given a truck of their own to drive for a company.

Qualifications and Training

If the truck the delivery driver will operate is heavier than 10,000 pounds, the driver needs a CDL license. This involves getting a CDL permit at the local Department of Motor Vehicles. The driver will have to pass a written exam to get the permit and a driving test to receive the license.

A clean driving record is vital to the position. Drivers will be trained with the company before being given their own truck for deliveries. This will involve shadowing a driver who works for the company. After the training, the driver will be given their own route.

Work Experience

Delivery drivers can be hired with little to no experience in the field as long as they have a clean driving record and a valid license in the state where they’ll be driving. While drivers can be hired with no experience in the deliveries themselves, many companies require that the driver have a license for a few years before being hired for a position as a delivery driver.

Working Hours

When it comes to the regular hours of a delivery driver, it all depends on the goods to be delivered. The driver will have a set delivery time each week for the most part. It could be early morning or regular business hours. When it comes to food delivery, the truck will need to arrive at the business before it’s open for customers.

A delivery driver who is late due to traffic or delays will have to stick with the route until the packages and items are delivered. This should be a rare occurrence though. There are times when emergency deliveries will have to be made, but that shouldn’t happen on a daily basis.

Job Outlook and Advancement Opportunities

This physically demanding position of delivery driver can see a median annual income of approximately $30,000. The position is expected to grow between 2014 and 2024 at 4 percent. Delivery drivers are in demand in most cities due to the fact that goods will need to be transported for many businesses to be successful.

Whether it’s retail stores, commercial or residential customer deliveries, the position should see growth due to the emergence of more e-commerce purchases.

Conclusion

The position of delivery driver is one that doesn’t require much experience since most companies offer on-the-job training to their new employees. It’ll be important for a potential driver to have a clean driving record as well as a background that doesn’t include any arrests. It’s a job that pays decent money to the new driver with the chance for overtime during the busy seasons.