Delivery driver

Delivery drivers transport goods and packages to specified locations by motorcycle, car or van. They load and unload goods according to schedule, ensure proper handling of packages, follow directions and plan the best route to each destination.

The duties of a delivery driver include, but are not limited to:

• Loading, transporting, and delivering items to clients or businesses in a safe, timely manner.
• Reviewing orders before and after delivery to ensure that orders are complete, the charges are correct, and the customer is satisfied.
• Assisting with loading and unloading items from vehicles.
• Accepting payments for delivered items.
• Providing excellent customer service, answering questions, and handling complaints from clients.
• Adhering to assigned routes and following time schedules.
• Abiding by all transportation laws and maintaining a safe driving record.
• Preparing reports and other documents relating to deliveries.

Delivery drivers have a high level of social contact. They work with store owners and sales staff most of the time. Sometimes, they deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous customers.

Delivery drivers work outdoors most of the time while loading and unloading their trucks. They pften work indoors while setting up goods and talking to customers. They sometimes wear work uniforms or safety gear, especially when unloading.

Delivery drivers usually have a set schedule each week. They typically work more than 40 hours per week, but some work part time. They may have shifts that begin early in the morning or end late at night.

The following job titles also refer to delivery driver:

delivery driver
pizza delivery person
dry cleaning driver
delivery person
groceries delivery person
chinese food delivery person
mediterranean food delivery person
fast food delivery driver
delivery van driver
deliveryman
delivery car driver
telephone directory delivery driver
deliverywoman
food delivery person

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as a delivery driver. A valid driver’s license, as well as clean driving records, are also mandatory for the job.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Delivery driver is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to delivery driver.

motorcycle delivery person
postman/postwoman
mail clerk
taxi driver
private chauffeur

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of delivery driver. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of delivery driver with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

aeronautical information service officer
aeronautical information specialist
aviation safety officer
non-vessel operating common carrier
helicopter pilot

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of delivery driver.

• Geographic areas: Know the geographic area in detail; know where different organisations carry out operations.
• Road traffic laws: Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.
• Health and safety measures in transportation: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.

These skills are necessary for the role of delivery driver.

• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Act reliably: Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
• Drive in urban areas: Drive vehicles in urban areas. Interpret and understand transit signs in a city, the regulation of traffic, and the related common automobility agreements in an urban area.
• Drive vehicles: Be able to drive vehicles; have the appropriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
• Use geographic information systems: Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Establish daily priorities: Establish daily priorities for staff personnel. Effectively deal with multi-task workload.
• Interpret traffic signals: Observe lights on the road, road conditions, nearby traffic, and prescribed speed limits to ensure safety. Interpret traffic signals and act accordingly.
• Differentiate types of packages: Identify and differentiate different kinds of mail items and packages to be delivered. Consider their differences to foresee the necessary tools required for delivery.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of delivery driver. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Data protection: The principles, ethical issues, regulations and protocols of data protection.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of delivery driver. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Handle delivery of furniture goods: Handle the delivery and assemble the furniture and other goods, according to customer’s needs and preferences.
• Ensure the integrity of mail: Ensure the integrity of letters and packages to avoid damage. Ensure that packages are delivered to clients in the same condition they were collected in.
• Handle paperwork: Handle work-related paperwork ensuring that all relevant requirements are met.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Follow written instructions: Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
• Maintain vehicle appearance: Maintain vehicle appearance by washing, cleaning and performing minor adjustments and repairs.
• Handle fragile items: Use different specialised handling for products that are delicate and tend to be broken or damaged easily.
• Take payments for bills: Accept payments from customers by cash money or credit cards.
• Operate gps systems: Use GPS Systems.
• Maintain vehicle delivery documentation: Ensure that vehicle delivery documents are made up accurately and on time.
• Operate mailing information systems: Operate mailing information systems in order to record the processing and handling of mail. Record faults and identify packages that were not delivered. Ensure mail and small packages are traceable until they are delivered to the recipients.
• Process payments: Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
• Monitor merchandise delivery: Follow up logistical organisation of products; ensure that products have been transported in a correct and timely fashion.
• Set payment handling strategies: Fix payment methods for services and goods such as cash, cheques, credit cards, bank transfers, traveller’s cheques and money orders. Develop and implement strategies to prevent credit card fraud.
• Drive at high speeds: Drive motorised vehicles at high speeds in a safe manner.
• Handle delivered packages: Administer delivered packages and ensure that they all reach their destination in time.
• Drive two-wheeled vehicles: Drive two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles for the performance of different tasks relating to the transportation of goods and passengers.
• Organise mail deliveries: Organise mail and small package deliveries in an efficient, confidential, and safe manner.
• Follow verbal instructions: Have the ability to follow spoken instructions received from colleagues. Strive to understand and clarify what is being requested.

8322 – Car, taxi and van drivers

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References

1. Delivery driver – ESCO
2. Delivery Driver Job Description – Betterteam
3. Delivery Drivers – Working Conditions – IllinoisWorkNet
4. Featured image: Photo by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash