- 1,312distribution and logistics jobs live right now, including drivers and warehouse roles
- 23employers hiring in distribution and logistics
- £13.12–£14.73typical hourly rate for van and home delivery drivers
- 10 of 12employers we sampled mention training
What Does a Delivery Driver Do?
Most driver jobs on our site are home delivery jobs: taking online shopping to customers' doors in a van. Others drive larger vehicles between depots, stores and customers. We read 32 adverts from the 12 employers hiring drivers on our site. These are the parts of the job they mentioned most.
- Customer serviceBeing the friendly face at the door and keeping customers informed. Mentioned by 10 of the 12 employers.
- Loading and unloadingLoading the van safely and getting deliveries off it. Mentioned by 8 of the 12.
- Vehicle checksChecking the vehicle is roadworthy, clean and organised before setting off. Mentioned by 7 of the 12.
- Physical workLifting and carrying, from shopping crates to furniture. Mentioned by 7 of the 12.
- Helping out in store or warehousePicking orders or helping the team when you're not on the road. Mentioned by 7 of the 12.
One supermarket says its HGV drivers spend only about 40% of their time driving. The rest is loading and unloading.
Which Licence Do You Need?
For home delivery, a car licence is usually enough. One supermarket's home delivery drivers drive 3.5 tonne vans. Two employers accept an automatic licence.
Check how long you've held it, and your points. Three employers want a licence held for at least 12 months, one for 2 years and one for 3 years. Five allow no more than 6 points, and two no more than 3.
Larger vehicles need more. 6 of the 12 employers advertise jobs on 7.5 tonne lorries or HGVs. These need the right licence category (C1 for 7.5 tonnes, C for Class 2, C+E for Class 1), plus a Driver CPC and a digital tachograph card. Class 1 jobs ask for at least a year's experience.
Age. Two employers say you must be over 18. One wants drivers over 21 because of its insurance.
What Does a Delivery Driver Earn?
£13.12–£14.73an hour
That's the spread of typical hourly rates for van and home delivery drivers, across the 5 employers whose adverts show one. The middle is £13.71.
- London pays more. One supermarket pays home delivery drivers £14.18 an hour, rising to £15.45 inside the M25.
- HGV drivers earn more. HGV adverts show basic rates of £17.30 to £18.66 an hour, and up to £25.60 an hour for some night and weekend shifts.
- Some larger-vehicle jobs pay a salary. Full-time salaries in these adverts run from £29,816 to £36,068 a year.
Every one of the 12 employers mentions a staff discount, and 9 mention a pension.
Hours and Shifts
- Home delivery covers long days. One supermarket's delivery shifts can run between 6am and 11pm.
- Early starts and nights. One multi-drop job starts at 3am, and its night shift runs from 6pm to 6am.
- Some jobs keep regular hours. One Class 2 job is Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm, with no weekends. Another employer's 7.5 tonne routes are day routes with no overnight stays.
- Part-time is possible. One supermarket guarantees at least 16 hours a week, with roles from 12 hours.
Training and Where It Can Lead
- Training is common. 10 of the 12 employers mention it. One retailer gives new HGV drivers two days with a driver development coach.
- Some pay for your qualifications. One supermarket pays for its drivers' CPC training, medicals and driver cards, in work time. Another offers support to get a CPC.
- Expect a driving assessment. Some employers test your driving as part of the interview or when you join.
- Van driving can lead to HGV. One drinks wholesaler says its seasonal van driver job could be the first step to an HGV career, with support towards a Category C licence.
Beyond driving, our site also advertises driver trainer jobs and transport team manager jobs.
Job Titles to Search For
- Home Delivery Driver
- Customer Delivery Driver
- Delivery Driver
- Van Driver
- HGV Driver
- Class 2 Driver
- Class 1 Driver
How to Get Started
- Check your licence. Know how long you've held it and how many points you have before you apply.
- Start with home delivery. Most of these jobs need only a car licence.
- Upload your CV. Employers can then find you as well as the other way round.
- Prepare for the interview. Read our 20 common interview questions, and be ready for a driving assessment.
Ready to start?
There are 1,312 distribution and logistics jobs live right now.