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Delivery van driver

Alternative titles for this job include Van driver, multi-drop driver, courier

Delivery van drivers collect parcels from a depot and deliver them to customers.

Average salary (a year)

£16,000 Starter

to

£25,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

20 to 42 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays away from home

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a delivery van driver

You can get into this job through:

  • an apprenticeship
  • applying directly

Apprenticeship

You may be able to start in this job through the following intermediate apprenticeships

  • express delivery operative
  • urban driver

These apprenticeships take a minimum of 12 months to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

Direct Application

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 and the correct licence

More Information

Career tips

Experience in storage, warehousing or other driving work will be useful.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

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

You'll need a licence for the vehicle you'll be driving and a good driving record. Your employer may supply you with a delivery van, but if you're self-employed you'll need your own vehicle.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a delivery driver, you will:

  • collect goods from a depot, warehouse or pick-up point
  • plan the route
  • load the vehicle in an order that matches the delivery route you'll take
  • contact customers en route and update tracking systems
  • make deliveries, hand over invoices and get customer signatures
  • record mileage, and fuel that you buy
  • update delivery records
  • return undelivered items

Working environment

You could work from a vehicle.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a delivery coordinator, managing a team of couriers and providing customer care and sales services.

You could use your driving skills to work in other forms of transport, or complete training for a large goods vehicle (LGV) licence, which would allow you to work in freight transport.

If you take specialist training, like defensive driving and personal security, you could drive vehicles used to deliver cash and high value items. You'd usually need a Security Industry Association (SIA) licence for this.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Relocation Operative

  • Wage: £25,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Dale Manor Business Park, Sawston, Cambridge

HGV 2 Driver Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £26,000.00 Annually
  • Location: Dale Manor Business Park, Sawston, Cambridge
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

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