How to Find a Parcel Delivery Job?

Find a parcel delivery job by applying directly with a courier company or through job sites. An online search will show scores of opportunities, with an increasing number open to people with just a domestic car. There is also a mix of roles for self-employed or permanent, salaried jobs. If a driver is using their own vehicle, they need to make sure they keep up to date with their road tax and MOT and take out courier insurance, so they are legal on the roads.

Drivers can search for parcel delivery jobs by Goggling or checking job sites like Indeed, Jobs In Transport, or Blue Arrow.

Courier companies offering parcel delivery jobs in the UK are:

  • DPD and DPD Local
  • Amazon
  • Royal Mail
  • DHL
  • Collect+
  • FedEx
  • UPS
  • Parcelforce
  • APC Overnight
  • Hermes
  • UK Mail
  • TNT
  • DX
  • Yodel
  • City Sprint

Job websites listing parcel delivery jobs include:

  • Indeed
  • Reed
  • Totaljobs
  • Blue Arrow
  • Reed
  • Just Apply
  • Job Site
  • Jobs in Transport
  • Glassdoor

 

What do you need for a parcel delivery job?

Of course, a mode of transport is needed for a parcel delivery job, but that could be a car, van, truck, motorcycle or even a bike in urban areas. The employer may provide this, or alternatively – and now more frequently – the driver may need to use their own vehicle. Those using a motor vehicle must make sure it is taxed with an up to date MOT and correctly insured. Drivers must have a clean driving licence, preferably with no points, but many well-known carriers accept a licence with fewer than six points.

Some companies request a C1 driving licence which allows workers to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes with a trailer up to 750kg. This is not usually a barrier for getting a delivery job when the driver uses their own vehicle, but it opens the door to more work and can be more lucrative.

There are no specific qualifications needed to be a delivery driver. Still, those joining on an apprenticeship will usually need some GCSEs, usually including maths and English, according to the government’s careers guide.

Courier companies look for drivers who can offer good customer service, as carriers will be the face of the business, plus those who can lift goods up to about 30kg.

Organisation and being a self-starter is desirable in the role as drivers will need to plan their day with efficient routes to meet their deliveries productively. To make life easier for themselves, they may also wish to plan where they will take food and toilet breaks and ensure they have enough fuel to make it through the day. They will also need to record their mileage, update their delivery records, contact customers and logically pack their car, so goods are easily accessible depending on the route taken.

Most drivers will need to use electronic devices such as scanners and sat navs. While these are easy to use, it is something people with limited knowledge of technology need to be aware of.

Once a parcel delivery job has been secured, drivers need to be aware of their responsibilities. Insurance is the biggest obligation and can be confusing as requirements differ for each logistics company.

There are three types of insurance:

  • Third party: Just covering payments to others injured or with property damaged).
  • Third party, fire and theft: Same as the above with added protection for the policy holder’s vehicle in the event of a fire or theft).
  • Comprehensive: Covering all of the above, plus any injury or property damage to the policy holder’s vehicle, items or people in it in any incident.

If a driver is using their own vehicle, they may be provided with some cover by their employer. However, this is likely to be a third party only, and the rest of the insurance will be the driver’s responsibility. This can be costly, but it is essential – regular car insurance for social, domestic and pleasure purposes is not adequate. Without specific courier insurance, the driver is driving uninsured, i.e. illegally.

Unfortunately, courier insurance is much more expensive than domestic-use car insurance as providers see there is more chance of an incident when driving on unfamiliar roads frequently and potentially parking vehicles precariously for quick drop off and pick ups. A driver will easily be looking at a policy upwards of £1,400 even if the employer is providing some protection. NimbleFins research shows it can be a similar price to buy comprehensive cover rather than just a third party.

As well as the basic third party/comprehensive package, there are add-ons that may be of interest:

  • Breakdown cover: Quickly getting the driver back on the road and earning money.
  • Goods in transit insurance: If worried about claims from customers or sellers for damaging parcels on the route.
  • Public liability insurance: To protect against claims of damage to property or injury of members of the public.
  • Employers’ liability insurance: If a courier starts a business and hires a member of staff, they are legally required to hold this insurance unless the worker is exempt.
  • Fleet insurance: If a courier has more than one vehicle, fleet insurance can work out cheaper per vehicle compared to separate policies.
  • EU/international insurance: If travelling abroad, special insurance is needed.
  • Hauliers’ insurance: If the delivery of items usually takes the courier more than two hours to complete, it is wise to consider hauliers insurance for long-distance driving.

 

 

 

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