Job Description
Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area. They drive trucks with a 26,000-pound gross vehicle weight (GVW) capacity or less. Most of the time, they transport merchandise from a distribution center to businesses and households.
Most drivers generally receive instructions to go to a delivery location at a particular time, and it is up to them to determine the best route. Other drivers have a regular daily or weekly delivery schedule. All drivers must have a thorough understanding of an area’s street grid and know which roads allow trucks and which do not.
Education and Certifications
Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers typically enter their occupations with a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some opportunities exist for those without a high school diploma.
Workers undergo 1 month or less of on-the-job training and they must have a driver’s license from the state in which they work and possess a clean driving record.
Companies train new delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers on the job. This may include training from a driver-mentor who rides along with a new employee to ensure that a new driver is able to operate a truck safely on crowded streets.
New drivers also get training to learn company policies about package drop offs and returns, taking payment, and what to do with damaged goods.
Driver/sales workers must learn detailed information about the products they offer. Their company also may teach them proper sales techniques, such as how to approach potential new customers.
All delivery truck drivers need a driver’s license.
Essential Career Information
- $24,700 - Median pay, 2017
- $17,810 - Wage of lowest 10 percent, 2017
- $48,880 - Wage of the highest 10 percent, 2017
- 1,421,400 - Number of jobs, 2016
- 7% - Employment growth forecast, 2016
- Entry-level education requirements - High school diploma or equivalent
Trade Union
Locals
Teamsters 402
Muscle Shoals, AL
256-383-2006
teamsterslocal402.org
Teamsters 991
Mobile, AL
251-433-1521
teamsterslocal991.org
Teamsters 612
Birmingham, AL
205-945-9337
Important Qualities
- Communication Skills. When completing deliveries, drivers often interact with customers and should make a good impression to ensure repeat business.
- Sales Skills. Driver/sales workers are expected to persuade customers to purchase new or different products from them.
- Math Skills. Because delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers sometimes take payment, they must be able to count cash and make change quickly and accurately.
- Dexterity. Hand–eye coordination. When driving, delivery drivers need to observe their surroundings while simultaneously operating a complex machine.
- Visual Ability. To have a driver’s license, delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers must be able to pass a state vision test.
- Patience. When driving through heavy traffic congestion, delivery drivers must remain calm and composed.