Delivery Truck Drivers: Schools and Careers

About Delivery Truck Drivers

Delivery Truck Drivers

Delivery truck drivers deliver packages and deliver or pick up merchandise with a truck or a van, typically within a specified area. Most drivers have regular routes, however some delivery drivers have different routs each day. Some delivery truck drivers load and unload trucks. Most drivers work for companies that deliver their own products, such as department stores or for delivery companies and trucking firms. Some delivery truck drivers are self-employed and some work part-time.

Light or delivery services truck drivers, also known as pick-up and delivery or P&D drivers, often transport packages from distribution centers to homes and businesses. Drivers that work for package delivery companies may just have a single load and make numerous deliveries during a given day, whereas some drivers may have several loads during a given day. While making deliveries, they might take payments for cash-on-delivery shipments and deal with paperwork, including delivery conformations and receipts.

Driver/sales workers or route drivers have sales duties. They may encourage a store manager to increase their inventory or to sell new products to their customers. They may also arrange products on shelves in a grocery store. Drivers/sales workers may also be required to solicit new customers along their routes.

Sample job titles are delivery driver, bulk delivery driver, package delivery driver and route driver.

Delivery Truck Drivers Responsibilities

• Adhere to established traffic and transportation procedures and obey traffic laws
• Verify the contents being transported with shipping papers
• Inspect and maintain vehicle equipment and supplies
• Report vehicle mechanical problems
• Provide bills and receipts and collect payments for items delivered or loaded
• Maintain records of cargo, vehicle logs and billing statements
• Load and unload vans and trucks
• Report delays, accidents and other types of traffic and transportation situations

Local truck drivers often work more than 50 hours per week. Drivers that deliver food for produce markets, grocery chains and bakeries often work late at night or early in the morning. A delivery truck driver job can be tiring due to driving for many hours at a time and loading and unloading cargo. Local truck drivers typically return home in the evenings.

Employment Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 4 percent employment growth for light or delivery services truck drivers which is slower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 4 percent employment growth for driver/sales workers which is slower than average. In addition, The median hourly wage for light or delivery services truck drivers in 2008 was $13.27.

Delivery Truck Drivers Education, Certification, and Licensing

Most delivery truck driver jobs require some high school education along with a valid driver's license and a clean driving record. Courses in driver education and auto mechanics can be beneficial. Many jobs driving small trucks require a small amount of training. Drivers/sales workers are provided training regarding the products their company sells.

Those seeking to drive heavy trucks or tractor trailers or vehicles transporting hazardous materials or oversize loads need a commercial driver's license (CDL). Many private and public vocational schools provide training for a commercial driver's license.

The Professional Truck Driver Institute certifies driver-training courses provided by truck training schools that are able to meet industry standards and Federal Highway Administration guidelines for the training of tractor-trailer drivers.

The standards for truck drivers are governed by Federal and State regulations. Drivers are required to comply with all Federal regulations and any State regulations that are in excess of Federal requirements when under a particular state's jurisdiction. Truck driver's are required to have a license issued by the state where they live. A regular driver's license is sufficient in many states for driving light trucks and vans.

Resources for Delivery Truck Drivers

• American Trucking Associations, Inc.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Major Employers of Delivery Truck Drivers

The top employers are retail firms, wholesale companies, manufacturing firms, delivery companies, trucking companies, the Federal government, state governments, municipalities and the U.S. Postal Service.

Schools for Delivery Truck Drivers are listed in the column to the left.

The Top Cities tab shows employment statistics for Delivery Truck Drivers by major metro area.

The Top Industries tab shows which industries have the most jobs for Delivery Truck Drivers, along with salary data by industry.

The Find Schools tab lets you search for schools by field of study, degree level, and location.