Delivery drivers are an essential service job that has become even more of a necessity over recent years. The increase in demand for online shopping and home delivery has seen a huge increase in the number of delivery driver jobs that are available, and the demand for more drivers has been across a number of industries, from grocery delivery to e-commerce sales.

While there are a great number of delivery drivers that work for companies direct, going contract employment on third-party delivery apps has become a more common option with the demand for drivers massively outweighing the supply.

Delivery drivers don’t usually need a college education with experience and a clean driving record being the main requirement along with a valid driver’s license. Professional certifications are much more important, such as having a Commercial Driver License (CDL). If you are looking for a new delivery driver for your company, I’ve got the perfect job description template for you to download and use below.

Food delivery.

Primary Responsibilities

This section of a job description outlines the specific work requirements of a delivery driver. To make this section helpful, try to think of all the tasks a driver will be expected to excel at, including communication. Providing accurate details about what’s required at this job will help weed out non-serious applicants and save time on the HR side.

  • Abide by all transportation laws and maintaining a safe driving record.
  • Accurately follow routes, maps, and directions.
  • Adhering to assigned routes and following time schedules.
  • Collect payments, document amount, and offer receipts when necessary.
  • Contacts customers to confirm delivery details.

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  • Establishes and maintains outstanding relations with customers.
  • Follow all state and national safety regulations and standards.
  • Follow DOT regulations and safety standards.
  • Inspects delivery vehicles and ensures the safety and security of the loading and unloading process.
  • Keep exterior of vehicle clean and presentable.
  • Keep interior of vehicle clean of debris and clutter.
  • Maintain vehicle equipment; replace oil, fill gas tank, perform general motor vehicle maintenance as needed for safety.
  • Maintains delivery logs and records.

This is not an all-inclusive list of the primary responsibilities, and you can edit this to suit your own delivery driver job requirements.

Desired Skills / Role Requirements

Mobile orders mean greater demand for delivery services.

Here are some of the basic requirements for when hiring a new delivery driver.

  • Ability to work cohesively as part of a team.
  • Able to adapt to changing schedules or routines.
  • Able to follow verbal directions, read maps, follow GPS.
  • Attention to detail.
  • Demonstrate safe driving practices.
  • Excellent communication, organizational and time management skills.
  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
  • Highly responsible and reliable.
  • Must be able to pass criminal background check.
  • Physically able to lift and carry object up from 30 to 50 pounds.
  • Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
  • Previous professional experience in multi-drop deliveries preferred; training may be provided.
  • Reliable and punctual with dedicated professionalism to job and duties.
  • Special licenses may be required to operate certain vehicles.
  • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record with no traffic violations.
  • Willingness to adhere to assigned routes, schedules, safety procedures, and transportation laws.

Sample Delivery Driver Job Description Template

To give you the ability to get your ad out there in the marketplace with as little worry and stress as possible, this template Job Description is yours to download and use as you wish, and is the perfect basis for an ideal job advert.

Terry’s Trucks are looking for their next Top Delivery Driver

Terry’s Trucks has a new opening for professional delivery driver to take over their prestigious country route serving our ranch and farm customers. As one of the largest delivery companies in the state, we operate with professionalism and courtesy at all times, providing excellent service to both our delivery customers and clients.

The applicant for this premiere position should have all the relevant licenses and qualifications, should be efficient and trustworthy, and must be able to manage multiple deliveries in a pre-defined area for delivery. Knowledge of the area is preferable, but not required, but the ability to use maps or GPS is essential. The job consists of only daytime shifts with no overnight stops. You also get weekends off.

For this position we require a CDL and clean driving record. We conduct background and drug tests on all applicants due to the nature of this position. You must be able to drive a vehicle safely for 40 hours per week. You also need to be able to lift packages of 50 lbs throughout the day.

We need a responsible driver to distribute products promptly to our customers, who will represent our company in a professional and cost-effective manner to increase our profitability and customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities:

Your responsibilities will include, but are not restricted to:

  • Abide by all transportation laws and maintaining a safe driving record.
  • Accurately follow routes, maps, and directions
  • Adhering to assigned routes and following time schedules.
  • Collect payments, document amount, and offer receipts when necessary
  • Contacts customers to confirm delivery details.
  • Establishes and maintains outstanding relations with customers.

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  • Follow all state and national safety regulations and standards
  • Follow DOT regulations and safety standards
  • Inspects delivery vehicles and ensures the safety and security of the loading and unloading process.
  • Keep exterior of vehicle clean and presentable
  • Keep interior of vehicle clean of debris and clutter
  • Maintain vehicle equipment; replace oil, fill gas tank, perform general motor vehicle maintenance as needed for safety
  • Maintains delivery logs and records.

Skills and Experience:

We are looking for applicants with the following skills and experience, preferably including:

  • Ability to work cohesively as part of a team.
  • Able to adapt to changing schedules or routines.
  • Able to follow verbal directions, read maps, follow GPS.
  • Attention to detail and ability to have conversations with suppliers and customers.
  • Demonstrate safe driving practices. Understanding of how to drive safely in school zones and other environments.
  • Excellent communication, organizational and time management skills.
  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
  • Highly responsible & reliable.
  • Must be able to pass criminal background check.
  • Physically able to lift and carry object up from 30 to 50 pounds.
  • Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
  • Previous professional experience in multi-drop deliveries preferred; training may be provided.
  • Reliable and punctual with dedicated professionalism to job and duties.
  • Special licenses may be required to operate certain vehicles.
  • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record with no traffic violations.
  • Willingness to adhere to assigned routes, schedules, safety procedures, and transportation laws.

Job Type: Full

Schedule:

  • 8 hour shifts
  • 5 working days per week, Monday to Friday
  • Some warehouse overtime possible

Salary rate: From $37,000 per year, based on experience.

Supplemental Pay: Daily meal supplement; Uniform Provided; Tips.

Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental, and Life Insurance
  • 401(k)
  • 21 days per year Paid Time Off after six months
  • Set Work Schedules
  • Employee stock purchase plan

If you think you have what it takes to manage this prestigious route in one of our top of the range trucks, then come and talk to us at our local warehouse offices or send your resume to [Insert Contact Details].

Questions to Ask During an Interview for Delivery Drivers

Do you feel comfortable driving this truck?

When interviewing a new driver for a delivery position, it is essential that you know what questions to ask, and are updated enough on industry requirements to know what responses to expect. These are just some of the more important questions you should consider asking when interviewing new delivery drivers for a restaurant or warehouse.

  • Are you able to properly maintain driver’s logs and comply with national and state driving laws?
  • Customers entrust delivery drivers with their property. What are your ethical responsibilities when handling a delivery?
  • Describe your driving and delivery experience.
  • Do you have a valid driver’s license in our state and are you willing to have it renewed when necessary?
  • Do you have any knowledge of the streets and landmarks in this delivery route?
  • Do you have experience using a delivery tracking interface to update clients about the progress of their delivery?
  • How do you stay focused while driving for long periods?
  • How would you assist a customer who was displeased with their delivery?
  • How would you handle a delivery where the client is not available and you require a signature to deliver the package?

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  • What do you do to ensure that all orders are complete and delivered on time?
  • What do you think the delivery process involves, from pickup to drop off?
  • What precautions do you take when transporting packages marked as fragile?
  • What steps would you take if your vehicle broke down on your route?
  • What strategies do you use to stay focused on the road after a long day of driving?
  • What would you do if you got into an accident while driving?
  • What would you do if you got stuck in heavy traffic while you were in the middle of a time-sensitive delivery?
  • What would you do if you were not responsible for a traffic violation, but were pulled over by a police officer?
  • Why do you want to work for our organization as a delivery driver?

Average Salary and Job Statistics for Delivery Drivers

A fleet of delivery vehicles.

Salary is often the main reason for applicants looking for a delivery driver’s job. After all, everyone needs to make enough money to cover their basic expenses like food and housing. This section will help you understand the typical compensation for a delivery driver in today’s job market.

  • On average, a Delivery Driver in the United States can earn around $ 37,715 per year, based on an average hourly rate of around $18.13 per hour.
  • The salary level varies from state to state, with Minnesota being the best paid place for drivers, while the lowest salaries are located in Florida.
  • The average age of a Delivery Driver is around 47 years old.
  • Drivers should be able to drive in all weather conditions, and still maintain the same safety standards.
  • Delivery Drivers do need to have good customer service skills.
  • On average, around 92% of the country’s 300,000+ delivery drivers are male, with women accounting for just 8% of the drivers.
  • Typically, entry-level Delivery Driver positions require only high-school diplomas or their equivalent.
  • A clean driving record is the most common requirement for Delivery Drivers.

A delivery driver is an essential part of any supply or e-commerce business, and should be professional, experienced, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure deliveries are made on time and handled with care. A top-tier delivery driver also needs to have some customer service skills, as they will be dealing with the customers face to face.

Money handling is also an essential skill in certain roles like the restaurant industry. You’ve got to put a lot of trust into hiring a driver. This person will also need to handle money, provide change, and complete basic accounts for payments is another requirement of this job. A qualified applicant must also be able to follow schedules, handle traffic and reroute as needed and complete mileage logs and cargo documentation.

With all of this information, not to mention the free downloadable Job Description template, you should be able to post your job ads with just a few clicks of the mouse. Happy hiring!

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