As a delivery driver, it is important that you know how to excel in your role. This is so that you can maximize the amount of money you make, keep your customers happy and develop a positive reputation for the service that you provide. This means you need to know the best practices for delivery drivers. Whether you are new to the profession or have been on the roads for many years, you should be aware of the best practices that will help you improve your service and achieve higher levels of success. Keep reading to learn the best practices for delivery drivers.
1. Plan Your Routes At The Start Of The Day
One of the best practices is to plan your routes right at the start of the day before you hit the road. This allows you to plan the most efficient routes to minimize travel time and fuel usage while keeping your customers happy. You can then input your routes into your sat-nav system so that you can simply listen to the directions and not have to worry about navigation.
2. Inspect Your Vehicle & Carry Out Basic Maintenance
As a delivery driver, your vehicle is your livelihood, and any issues could derail your entire day and frustrate your customers. This is why it is a good idea to inspect your vehicle at the end of each shift and to get any issues resolved straight away. It is also a good idea to perform your own basic maintenance to keep the vehicle in the best condition, such as topping up the tire pressure, checking the engine oil, and topping up your fluids. Basic maintenance will prevent issues from arising, improve the performance of the vehicle, and increase the lifespan.
3. Secure Your Packages
It is important to make your deliveries on time, but this is not much good if the package arrives broken and banged up. Therefore, you need to make sure that all packages are secured properly before you hit the road. Additionally, you need to be aware of any fragile items that you have and have equipment that will help you to secure the package during transit.
4. Improve Your Driving Abilities
When driving is your profession, you should always be looking to improve your driving capabilities. By becoming a better driver, you can improve your performance and feel more confident on the road. You should consider what your weaknesses are and then work on these – reversing and parallel parking are two areas that many people struggle with and are key parts of delivery driving. You might find it worthwhile to take a driving course that will develop your skills and help you to become a smart, defensive, safe, and confident motorist.
5. Communicate & Provide Updates
Delivery work is largely solitary, and this is part of the appeal for many. Communication is still required, though, as you will need to communicate with customers and dispatchers on a daily basis. Therefore, you need to be a strong communicator and be friendly yet professional. This should also include providing any important updates on deliveries throughout the day to keep people in the loop. By communicating efficiently, you can build relationships and develop a positive reputation as a delivery driver.
6. Find Jobs On Load Boards
As a delivery driver, you want to make sure that you always have work available. This can be challenging, though, especially as an independent delivery driver and/or when you are just getting started. Load boards are ideal for delivery drivers as they allow you to browse hundreds of available jobs that you can bid on. This means that you can always find delivery work to take on and choose the routes that best suit you. With the use of load boards, you can maximize the amount of money that you make each day, build new relationships, and gain more experience. Shiply is an excellent load board with a lot of shipping work available, and there are no fees involved.
7. Make Sure Deliveries Are Made Efficiently
You will want to make your deliveries quickly so that you can move on to the next one and maximize the amount of work that you complete each day, but you also need to make sure that deliveries are made efficiently. You should hand the package over and confirm receipt where possible or follow any specific delivery instructions that are provided. If there is no one home, you need to either find a safe place and leave a note or find a neighbor that can take the delivery on their behalf. It is important to be aware that there has been a sharp increase in people stealing packages left on doorsteps – known as porch pirates – so you need to ensure that all deliveries are made safely.
8. Prioritize Your Well-Being
Finally, one of the most important practices is to prioritize your well-being. Burnout, fatigue, and stress can be major issues in this industry, with delivery drivers that do not look after themselves on the road and take on more than they can handle. You need to take on a manageable workload, take regular breaks throughout the day and maintain a healthy diet while on the road. You also need to make sure that you use your time off effectively, which should include rest and recovery, exercise, spending time with loved ones, and hobbies. If you are struggling, then it is worth trying to reduce your workload and potentially seeking support if it is interfering with your happiness and life.
These are the best practices that you should be following as a delivery driver. Whether you are new to the industry or you have been driving for many years, these are all practices that will help you to excel in your role and improve as a delivery driver. Delivery driving can be rewarding work and a great career option or side hustle, but there are also challenges that you need to be prepared for and know how to overcome.
