If you’ve ever fancied spending your working life on the open road, then you might have considered becoming a delivery driver. Here is some information about getting started on the road to becoming a delivery driver or courier:

You’ll need basic standards in both English and maths and of course, a driving license with a clear record. For some positions, you will, also need to be over 21 years old and have had a driving license for more than one year. Most vans on the road weigh less than 3,500kg but for anything bigger, further training will probably be required.

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Other useful qualities include strong practical driving skills and be able to work under pressure to tight deadlines without losing your cool. There will also be an amount of lifting involved, with various sizes of parcels and packages that need transporting. You’ll also need to be comfortable with filing paperwork and record sheets. For a great Same Day Courier Reading, visit a company like UK TDL. uk-tdl.com provide same day courier services in Reading

An average day could include delivering anything from parcels, legal documents, furniture or office supplies. You could work for organisations such as retailers, couriers or postal services. Most days would include the collection of goods from your local depot and loading your vehicle in the correct order for the location of your deliveries.

You’ll be planning your routes, greeting customers and obtaining signatures for the deliveries you’ve made. Other aspects of the job include recording your mileage and fuel costs and returning any items you’ve unable to deliver. The work can be physically demanding but is great if you want to keep fit. Hours tend to be between 36 and 48 per week which will likely include evenings and weekends. You may receive a uniform.

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Career progression can lead you to perhaps partaking in specialist training enabling you to go on and drive vehicles containing valuables and cash amounts. You might also need a Security Industry Licence too.

Working as a courier driver could be a bit different. You’ll still need a good driving record and if you decide to work as a self-employed courier, access to your own vehicle. Of course, working as a motorcycle courier means you’ll need access to your own motorbike too.
Daily duties could include:

You’ll be responsible for collecting parcels from your pick-up points, planning your routes and sorting your packages into delivery order. Having good local knowledge is important so you can find the quickest routes between destinations. Some couriers work by bicycle in larger cities for speed of delivery.

Motorcycle and bicycle couriers mainly work in congested city centres and the surrounding areas. The ability to keep a calm head and work under busy conditions is important. Normal working schedules will most likely include weekends and evenings. Some couriers also need to spend time away from home when making national deliveries across the country.