Courier Jobs – Frequently Asked Questions

Taking on courier jobs for a living can be an extremely rewarding and profitable profession. Of the many advantages of this type of work, the most obvious are the diversity, the ability to earn a good day’s pay for a good day’s work and, perhaps the most attractive perk of all, the independence and freedom of being on the road. Admittedly courier jobs aren’t for everyone, but if you think it may be something you would like to take on, if you’re a complete novice you probably have a few questions about the ins and outs of the profession. Here are just a few answers…

Do I Have to Have a License?

Depending on the type of work you will be doing you may need a HGV licence for some larger courier jobs or an upgrade on your normal driver’s licence if you are going to be driving vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes. If you are going to become an owner-driver then you will need the appropriate licence for the capacity of vehicle or motor bike you purchase or lease, as well as full insurance. Of course, not all courier jobs involve a van, truck or motor bike. If you don’t have a driving licence you can still become a cycle courier, with all the benefits of life on the road but without the traffic jams and petrol costs! The only thing you’ll need if you want to become a cycle courier is a good set of safety gear: helmet, gloves, reflective lycras and appropriate cycling shoes. You will be able to zip in and out of traffic and, although your packages will be more documents than anything else, there is a lot of work available and it can be very lucrative.

What Hours Will I Work?

Dependent on whether you work for yourself or take on courier jobs as an employee of a larger firm, your hours can vary greatly. Some longer distance couriers will work early mornings in order to meet commitments and, if the destination is several hours away, their working day may not finish until evening when they return. If you choose to work as an owner-driver obviously the more work you take on the more you will earn; so it really is a matter of managing your time as effectively as possible. The most important thing to remember is never to push yourself too far physically; driving tired is extremely dangerous.

What Will I be Delivering?

The answer to that is anything and everything. Sometimes it may be as small as a document folder or it can be as large as a piece of furniture. The transport industry is full of stories of strange deliveries and urban myths of ticking parcels, but the reality is, most courier jobs involve everyday items. As long as there’s nothing illegal inside the parcels or boxes you load and unload, the main thing you will need to consider is their weight and fragility.

Will I Make a Good Courier?

The main attributes needed to begin work in courier jobs are a calm disposition, a sensible head and the ability to work well under pressure. Anything else is a plus and you don’t need any special qualifications (except for the afore-mentioned licences). As long as you’re willing and able anyone can forge a rewarding and enjoyable career in the transport industry.

Author Bio: Lyall Cresswell is the Managing Director of Courier Exchange, the world’s largest neutral trading hub for the Sameday courier and express freight exchange industry. Over 2,500 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading courier jobs and capacity in a safe ‘wholesale’ environment.

Category: Jobs
Keywords: courier jobs

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