Is becoming a delivery service driver right for me?
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How to become a Delivery Service Driver
Delivery service drivers generally have a high school diploma and go through a few months of on-the-job training. They must have a driver’s license for the state or province in which they work. Some companies prefer a delivery truck driver or driver/sales worker to have a high school diploma or equivalent, although it is not required. Companies train new delivery service drivers on the job, usually in two to three months. This may include driving training with a driver-mentor who rides along with a new employee to ensure that a new driver is able to operate a truck on crowded streets.
New drivers also have classroom training to learn company policies about package drop offs, returns, taking payment, and what to do with damaged goods. Driver/sales workers must learn detailed information about the products they offer. Because delivery service drivers sometimes take payment, they have to be able to count cash and to make change quickly. When completing deliveries, drivers often interact with customers and should make a good impression to ensure repeat business.
When driving, delivery drivers have to observe their surroundings while operating a complex machine. When driving through heavy traffic congestion, delivery drivers must be calm and composed. They are expected to convince customers to purchase new or different products from them. Drivers have to be able to speak English well enough to read road signs, prepare reports, and communicate with the pubic and law enforcement officials.