Delivery drivers operate light trucks, vans or cars to deliver such items as food products, publications, fast food or prescription drugs. They are employed by many different kinds of businesses including grocery stores, take-out food establishments, flower shops, drug stores, bakeries, dairies, newspaper, dry cleaning establishments and vending machine companies as well as by municipal governments.
In this job, you may delivery goods to businesses, offices, warehouses, and institutions such as hospitals, or private residences. The goods you deliver may be received at loading dock area, at a reception desk or by the client in person.
As a delivery driver for a vending machine operator, you collect coins from vending, video or pinball machines and perform minor repairs as required. Coin-box collectors gather coins from telephone booths and parking meters. Mobile canteen drivers operate trucks over approved routes to sell food and beverages to customers at business establishments or construction sites. Dry cleaning drivers pick up articles from outlets and private homes, deliver them to cleaning plants and then return the items to the clients. Newspaper delivery drivers transport newspapers to news-stands or to neighbourhood locations for pick-up by newspaper carriers.
If you deal with money or other valuable commodities, you may need to be bonded. Some delivery drivers specialize in carrying dangerous goods, or goods of extreme weight. In such cases, you may require a special drivers' licence, allowing you to transport certain goods. There is some paperwork involved since you report your deliveries and the nature of the goods you are carrying.
Customer service is very important in this job. As a delivery driver, you are on the front line, representing the company you work with. Your appearance is therefore important and your attitude towards your customers must be polite and helpful.
Most delivery drivers are in constant contact with their offices. Some of the more progressive companies are installing computers in their delivery vehicles to provide direction to drivers throughout their day.
There is a good deal of mobility between the different types of jobs in this area. Delivery drivers are usually paid an hourly rate, although they may also be paid bonuses or commissions.
You will like this job if you enjoy driving and like working on your own. Employers look for conscientious people who are responsible and independent.
The challenge lies in delivering the products in a timely and efficient manner. You organize a schedule and read maps. You need a good memory to remember addresses and locations so that you don't have to waste a lot of time going over lists and maps for every delivery. A good sense of direction is essential.
You must be observant and be able to process a lot of information quickly. Finding an address and a parking place while making your way through traffic is just one part of your job. Heavy traffic can be very stressful but you have to remain calm, careful and aware of what you are doing.
You should enjoy meeting a wide variety of people. You occasionally will encounter, however, people who are difficult to deal with. The job involves more that just delivering things quickly. As a delivery driver, you are representing your company and you must be diplomatic and courteous at all times.