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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 warehouse and deliver them to customers.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£27,000 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

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

Apprenticeship

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

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
  • the correct driving licence

More Information

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.

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

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.

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 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

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

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

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

HGV Driver Apprentice (CAT C)

  • Wage: Competitive Annually
  • Location: OLD AMERSHAM FARM, HIGH STREET, AMERSHAM
Find apprenticeships near you

Courses In England

Are you interested in becoming a delivery van driver?

Search for training courses near you.

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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