The day starts early for the delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers who ensure local businesses open with stocked shelves, and may continue late into the night as drivers ensure that customers receive their products and services throughout the day. These drivers’ vehicles are lighter than semis, weighing less than 26,000 pounds. Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers need a thorough knowledge of their local street grid to plan their routes —especially which roads allow trucks. Light truck drivers drive small trucks or vans from distribution centers or stores… to homes and businesses, following an established schedule. Most work for retail and wholesale trade companies, or couriers. Driver/sales workers usually have a regular delivery route, and also visit potential clients to expand their sales. They might deliver an order to a hardware store, then promote a new product to the store manager. They also deliver and receive payments for goods such as take-out food or pizza. These drivers generally work full time. It can be physically demanding work —driving for long periods, lifting, and carrying boxes. Injury rates are higher than for most jobs. Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers usually have a high school education, and must have a driver’s license and clean driving record. A few weeks of on-the-job training is typical.
What they do:
Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle.
On the job, you would:
Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
Turn in receipts and money received from deliveries.
Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.
Business
customer service
Transportation
movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Safety and Government
law and government
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
talking to others
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Spatial
know where things are around you
Controlled Movement
use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down
quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
Attention
do two or more things at the same time
pay attention to something without being distracted
Endurance
exercise for a long time without getting out of breath
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Integrity
Self Control
Stress Tolerance
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Desktop communications software
Eko
Industrial control software
FreightDATA
Vehicle location and tracking software
high school diploma/GED or no high school diploma/GED usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.