Overview of the Drivers Mate Role
The main role of a Drivers Mate is to assist a driver with deliveries by unloading and loading delivery vehicles, giving navigational instructions, and supporting the driver during transit.
A Drivers Mate will need good communication and teamwork skills to work with drivers so that they can take instructions and help with delivery routes. They will need good stamina for loading and unloading delivery vehicles, and it is important to know the correct lifting form for lifting heavy items.
It is possible to gain enough experience in this role to move on to Delivery Driver jobs or roles in Logistics.
Dress Code
A Drivers Mate will typically wear clean clothes suitable for physical work such as jeans, work pants, a t-shirt or polo shirt, and sturdy closed-toe shoes.
Drivers Mate Responsibilities
A Drivers Mate is responsible for navigating the driver and assisting with loading and unloading the vehicle of goods or passengers.
Drivers Mate Tips
The most important thing for a Drivers Mate to be successful in their role is to be reliable and punctual, as it is their job to assist the driver. It is also important to be good with maps or navigation systems to help navigate the driver’s route.
To be a good Drivers Mate, you will need an acceptable level of fitness and stamina to reduce the chance of injuries.
Skills of a Drivers Mate
A Drivers Mate needs good stamina to assist a driver with loading and unloading vehicles, and a good knowledge of proper loading and unloading processes.
Stamina
Stamina and general fitness are important to a Drivers Mate so that they can efficiently assist the driver with loading and unloading goods. It is important to learn proper lifting form, as this job can be physically demanding and requires moving large items.
A Drivers Mate might also need to work long hours, including shift work or nights. It is important to have stamina for these changing shifts or long shifts so that you are able to work efficiently and maintain productivity.
Communication & Teamwork
Drivers and Drivers Mates must be able to communicate effectively with each other and work well together, as they will often spend many hours together during their shifts. It is the responsibility of a Drivers Mate to coordinate with the driver, keeping them up to date with delivery schedules, any potential issues, and safety checks.
Sometimes, there might be route changes or delays in deliveries, and communicating with the driver is essential to fix these issues.
Knowledge of Processes
There are many processes a Drivers Mate must understand, including vehicle safety by checking weight restrictions and general vehicle upkeep. They also need to understand paperwork processes for deliveries, making sure the itinerary is correct and the proper signatures are collected.
There will also be proper delivery routes and schedules which should be followed efficiently, only changed if an issue occurs, and any changes should be communicated with the driver.
Duties of a Drivers Mate
A Drivers Mate is responsible for helping the driver load and unload deliveries, doing so efficiently and using proper communication. They also need to support and navigate the driver across delivery routes.
Assisting with Loading/Unloading Deliveries
Assisting with deliveries is the most important part of a Drivers Mate's job, and it requires the ability to load and unload transport vehicles efficiently and with good time management so that both the Driver and the Drivers Mate can keep high levels of productivity.
As mentioned previously, it is important to know how to lift heavy objects properly to reduce the chance of injuring yourself or the driver.
Navigating & Supporting Drivers
A Drivers Mate should know the delivery routes the Driver will need to take during a shift, but it is also important to be able to problem solve if an issue arises, such as the route being blocked because of an accident or the delivery itself being late.
Understanding navigational software or maps will help a Drivers Mate plan new routes so that they can communicate with the driver to complete a successful delivery shift.
It is important to support the Driver where necessary so that the delivery can run smoothly.
Drivers Mate Career Progression and Advancement
Learning skills as a Drivers Mate can help you progress into Delivery Driver jobs or Logistics and Warehouse Operations jobs.
Training to Become a Delivery Driver
Gaining experience as a Drivers Mate will provide you with the skills needed to become a Delivery Driver. If necessary, look into acquiring licences for larger vehicles such as trucks and vans, depending on what kind of Delivery Driver you intend to be.
You will need good communication skills, physical fitness and good driving skills to succeed in this role.
FAQs about Becoming a Drivers Mate
What Are the Working Hours for a Drivers Mate?
A typical work week for a Drivers Mate is around 40-45 hours. This might vary depending on the distance travelled and might also involve shift work.
Do You Need a Licence to Be a Drivers Mate?
Usually, you will need a Full UK driver's Licence to be a Drivers Mate. If you do not have one, you can apply via the DVLA.
How Much Does a Drivers Mate Earn?
The average salary for a Drivers Mate is around £20,000 per year for an entry-level position.
What Does a Drivers Mate Do?
A Drivers Mate provides support to a driver during deliveries by loading and unloading goods and passengers from transport vehicles.
