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Delivery van driver

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

Delivery van drivers collect parcels and other items from a warehouse and deliver them to customers.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£27,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

20 to 42 variable

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

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or by applying directly.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Express Delivery Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship or an Urban Driver Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

These apprenticeships take around 1 year to complete.

You may be able to do an apprenticeship with a freight transport company, courier firm, removals company or a retail chain.

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.

While it's useful to have experience of warehousing or other driving work, this is not always essential.

Employers will expect you to have:

  • a good driving record
  • good road network and geographical knowledge
  • basic English and maths skills
  • the correct driving licence for the type of vehicle in use

More Information

Career tips

Your pay will depend on whether you're employed by a company or are self-employed. Self-employed drivers tend to be paid per delivery, so rates can vary from month to month.

Further information

You can find out more about being a delivery driver from Generation Logistics.

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
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to work well with others
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to operate and control equipment
  • 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
  • have a good level of fitness

Your employer may 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.

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 could:

  • collect items from a warehouse or a pick-up point
  • plan routes and arrange items in your vehicle in order of delivery
  • contact customers, update tracking systems and record any issues
  • make deliveries, issue invoices and get customer signatures
  • keep a record of mileage and fuel details and return undelivered items to the warehouse

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:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Apprentice Van Driver

  • Wage: £25,792 a year Annually
  • Location: Patchway Trading Estate, Britannia Road, Bristol
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a delivery van driver?

Search for training courses near you.

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