Overview of the Van Driver Role
There are many kinds of jobs and licences involved when driving vehicles larger than a car, and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. A Van Driver is responsible for transporting goods from one location to another, they will be required to load and unload goods and packages from a van and take them to their destination.
This requires good organisation and management skills to make sure items are delivered on time and that they can be retrieved from the van safely.
A Driving Licence is required for a Van Driver job, but progression into roles with larger vehicles like trucks and lorries will need higher qualifications such as HGV Licences.
Dress Code
A Van Driver should wear well-fitting and professional clothes. This may be a uniform provided by the employer, otherwise, it is best to wear trousers, closed-toe shoes or work boots, and a polo shirt or button-down shirt with long sleeves.
Van Driver Responsibilities
A Van Driver is responsible for driving to and from locations, loading and unloading packages, goods and other cargo, and providing customer service, which means completing deliveries on time.
A Van Driver is also responsible for the maintenance of their vehicle, it is important to make sure that the van is safe to drive in all weather conditions, as drivers will still need to make deliveries during bad weather.
Van Driver Tips
Make sure your Driving Licence allows for the vehicle size you intend to drive, as the UK requires different licences for different sized trucks and vans.
Learn how to carry large packages safely to avoid injury, and make sure you understand road safety to avoid any collisions while driving.
Van Driver Qualifications & Skills
To become a Van Driver, you will need a full UK Driving Licence as well as good time management and organisational skills to perform well in this line of work.
Full UK Driving Licence
You can drive a van up to 3,500kg if you have a standard UK Driving Licence. If you do not have a licence, you cannot legally drive and therefore will not be able to become a Van Driver.
Having a Driving Licence is important for understanding the Highway Code, and road safety, both of which are needed to avoid accidents while driving.
Applying for a Driving Licence can be done using the DVLA website and will require passing theory and practical tests.
Time Management & Organisation
Van Drivers must retrieve, deliver, load, and unload packages. This requires good time management and organisational skills, as the driver will need to take into consideration how long it takes to load the van, how long the route is, and how many deliveries they need to make during their shift.
It is essential to have these skills to keep productivity high and give good customer service, as late parcels can lead to customer complaints, which reflects badly on the driver.
Duties of a Van Driver
A Van Driver is responsible for delivering goods and loading and unloading items, which takes physical fitness. They also need to perform vehicle maintenance when necessary.
Delivering Goods
It is important to make sure that goods are delivered on time. Route planning is essential for this, as Van Drivers will need to try to avoid road congestion or any accidents to get to their destination on time.
A Van Driver should be able to contact their manager, or someone in logistics to report any issues with their deliveries so that alternative routes or extra information can be given.
Loading/Unloading Items
Van Drivers will need to have a good level of physical fitness for dealing with any heavy items they need to deliver. Knowing how to lift correctly is important to reduce the chance of injuries.
If the Van Driver is delivering parcels to residential areas, they will also need to know what items to load into their van for their designated route. They must then load the van in an organised manner so that items are easy to find.
Vehicle Maintenance
A Van Driver will need to check their vehicle before driving to make sure that there are no mechanical or electrical issues with the van. It is also important to check tyre pressure and tread depth, as tyre issues will not only cause time delays, but they can also cause accidents on the road.
Be aware of what maintenance checks need to be done to stay safe on the road and perform them diligently before starting other tasks.
Van Driver Career Progression and Advancement
The experience gained as a Van Driver can help you progress into larger vehicle roles, or move into logistics, or courier management.
Opportunities in Logistics or Courier Management
To move into logistics or courier management, a Van Driver will need a good understanding of the delivery process, including route planning, team management and vehicle hiring. It is important to have experience in these areas, and the knowledge to oversee each one to improve team productivity.
A Van Driver should first take on more responsibilities surrounding these roles to get a deeper understanding of them, making the transition easier when it comes to moving up the career ladder. Show enthusiasm to learn and the ability to problem-solve when learning logisitics or courier management.
Progressing to Larger Vehicle Roles
It is possible to progress into roles that require larger vehicles by gaining a specific licence. Different types of licences are needed to drive different vehicles, whether that is an HVG Driver or a Truck Driver.
A Van Driver should focus on gaining experience in their field and improving their skills before moving on to drive larger vehicles, but they should show interest in moving into these new roles when they are ready.
FAQs on Becoming a Van Driver
Is Being a Van Driver a Good Flexible Career Option?
Being a Van Driver often offers good flexibility depending on the company you work for. There could be options for part-time work, and some companies will let the driver choose their working hours within a certain timeframe.
Do You Need Special Training to Be a Van Driver?
No, most Van Driving jobs only require a standard UK Driving Licence and other good life skills such as communication skills and time management.
How Much Does a UK Van Driver Earn?
The average salary for a Van driver in the UK is £22,000 a year. However, a salary will vary depending on location.
What Does a Van Driver Do?
A Van Driver transports goods from one location to another. This includes loading and unloading goods and delivering items to customers on time.
