How to become a courier driver (and boost your income)
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In countries around the world, couriers have never been in demand as much as right now.
So, whether you want to become a full-time courier or boost your income with some part-time courier driving work, the present moment is an opportune time to pursue your goal.
How much can you boost your income as a courier driver?
Salaries for courier drivers can vary greatly depending on factors like your location, the company you work for, and the type of vehicle you drive.
For instance, transporting items in large lorries requires a special license, in which case you can demand a higher salary than if you were delivering items by car, motorcycle, or bicycle.
But to give you an idea of salary potential, in the United Kingdom, the average hourly wage for a courier driver is £15.50 per hour, and in the United States, it’s between $16 and $18 per hour.
Plus, in countries where courier work is part of the service industry, you can make additional money via tips.
If you are looking for a way of boosting your existing income, becoming a courier could be the ideal move. Alternatively, you have the option to work full-time hours or even set up your own courier company.
Get a vehicle
The first step to becoming a courier driver is to get a vehicle. If you work for a big-name courier service that has its own fleet, you may not need your own vehicle, but in all other circumstances, you will need a car, van, or bike of your own.
Companies typically require you to have at least one year’s driving experience. In addition to having your own vehicle, you should be comfortable and confident driving in all kinds of conditions.
Meet eligibility requirements
Even though the premise of a courier driving job is simple, in that it involves driving and picking up and dropping off packages, you still need to ensure you have the right skills and attributes.
There are sure to be things you haven’t considered. For instance, being a courier is a physically demanding job. You should be able to easily lift around seventy pounds, and be prepared for climbing flights of stairs.
You would need to pass a physical examination to qualify as a courier with many companies. Of course, you will also need a valid driver’s license.
In the United States, you need to be at least twenty-one years of age to become a courier driver, but other countries have lower age limits, such as eighteen and sixteen. Some companies will also expect you to have your own smartphone with a data plan so that you can navigate via the company’s app and GPS.
Start searching for jobs
Once you have a vehicle and know that you meet the eligibility requirements, you can begin looking for positions. The best places to start are job listings and agencies.
You can also research delivery companies that are local and submit your resume. You can submit your resume to other organisations that use independent courier drivers too, such as law firms, printing companies, hospitals, and accounting companies.
Send out letters of interest to any organisations that use courier services and keep an eye on job listings at the same time. Though, often it is as simple as securing work through a local agency.
Becoming an independent contractor can be the best way to go, but it can take time to attain clients. You could always begin by working for a company while you pick up independent work.
Either way, if you are an excellent driver, are able to meet deadlines, have an eye for detail, and have strong customer service and communication skills, becoming a courier driver could be the ideal job to boost your income.
