Are you thinking about making the switch to package delivery? Many drivers are, and now that the new year has arrived, package delivery looks like a great move. Consumer behavior has made what seems to be a permanent shift away from brick-and-mortar shopping, and the package delivery business is projected to be even more robust in the coming year.
With that sunny forecast in mind, we put together this blog post to give you, our drivers, all the information you need to get into package delivery and how to make your lives easier once you get started. Here’s what we’ve got for you:
- What it takes to be a package delivery driver
- How to build a stash of cash with a package delivery gig
- The costs of being a package delivery driver
- Ways to reduce costs and maximize earnings
What it takes to be a package delivery driver
Being a package delivery driver rather than a rideshare or food delivery driver will take some adjustment. Depending on your personal preference, you may come to like delivering packages much better. The time you spend with people will be far less than if they were passengers in your car, and you won’t have to wait at restaurants for backed-up kitchens to bring the orders you’re there to pick up.
There are some things that are the same, though, and one of them is paying for tolls. It’s often difficult to track and estimate how much you’ll need to pay to drive the fastest routes. With the Uproad app you can calculate the cost of tolls then pay them as you go, a crucial component of your parcel delivery driver assistance package.
Uproad enables you to take the fastest routes to make more money, and lets you take the fast lanes at tolls and not have to wait in lines to pay cash. You’ll also avoid fines and penalties that come with getting caught unaware that you were supposed to pay tolls. It makes the parcel delivery driver much easier, and lets you be more efficient.
Most jobs that especially interest drivers (and the jobs we’re covering here) entail what’s known as last-mile delivery. In short, last-mile delivery refers to the final step of the delivery process when a package is moved from a transportation hub to its final destination (typically a personal residence or business). Check out this Gridwise blog post for more information about that type of driving gig.
In most cases, you’ll go to a drop point like a warehouse or other facility to get the packages you’ll be delivering. There will be some human interaction on both the pick-up and delivery sides. Sometimes you may be in a rush, but you’ll typically be paid by the hour or by the delivery. In general, you probably won’t be pushed to hustle very often.
Some package delivery companies provide vehicles, while others require you to use your own. Some will insist that you work full time, while others will allow you to choose your own hours and work as much or as little as you want, within reason.
Your first step, naturally, is to decide which company you might want to work for – and there’s a vast assortment of package delivery companies. Here’s a sampling of what’s out there. You can learn about specific requirements for drivers by clicking the company names.
This well-known company has a range of driver jobs, from private vehicle delivery to full-time truck delivery and long-haul trucking. If you choose last-mile delivery, either as a full-time driver or a private vehicle delivery driver, you can expect to have plenty of contact with customers, but it will mostly be brief. You’ll have to apply with UPS to see if there is a need for drivers in your town, and many of the jobs are seasonal.
If you have a larger vehicle and physical strength is one of your many attributes, driving for Curri could be your dream job. This company handles last-mile building materials and equipment – and the value of the loads you’ll deliver with Curri will tower over what you’ll get for delivering meals to hungry customers. But you will need to physically handle the materials. It might also help to know a thing or two about construction and general contracting. You can download the Curri app to see if the company is looking for drivers in your area.
One thing we can say about Amazon is you’re almost guaranteed to find driving gigs in your area, because … the company is everywhere. You can work full time for one of Amazon’s Delivery Service Partners, or set your own hours and use your own vehicle working for Amazon Flex. You probably won’t have to lift anything that’s too heavy. But among the Amazon Flex driver tips you’ll find here, check the driver requirements to make sure you and your vehicle qualify, and that you’re physically strong enough to handle the loads.
For the most part, drivers for FedEx work either for the company or for companies that buy FedEx delivery routes. There are some instances where gig drivers can deliver for FedEx, but demand is created by a need for seasonal personal vehicle package drivers. This article dishes the details about what it’s really like to work as a FedEx delivery driver. When you go through the driver requirements, be sure to note that you’ll be expected to handle a lot of heavy packages. If you want this job, it might be wise to double the reps on your bicep curls.
This new and unique company is focused on improving the environment while offering drivers opportunities to expand their horizons. The company is committed to reducing carbon emissions through the use of sophisticated logistics and electric vehicles. GoFor also offers opportunities for drivers to build out their own fleets, and in the process, make even more money than they would by simply driving. The company is also offering a $500 bonus if you use an electric vehicle. Not a bad deal at all. You get to make money and do your part to help Mother Earth.
Build a stash of cash with a package delivery gig
When you first start out as a package delivery driver, the job can seem overwhelming. No matter what company you choose to work for, the name of the game will be delivering the largest number of packages in the shortest amount of time. In some instances, you might get tips from customers, but don’t count on them. This isn’t food delivery, and your customers might not even be around when you show up with their goods.
Therefore, your ability to be successful at this gig will hinge on your ability to be super-efficient. Here are some things to do once you get started:
Deliver quickly!
As previously mentioned, package delivery drivers either get paid by the hour or by the package drop. Either way, you’ll make more money if you learn how to make the most of your time. When you make a drop, for instance, you can grab the next package from your trunk or cargo area, and put it up in the front with you so you’re ready for the next stop. Also, you don’t want to dawdle. Walk like you’re out to get exercise. Not only will you get more done in less time, you’ll keep your endorphins flowing and boost your spirits.
Know the lay of the land
It would be nice if you could do nothing but deliver for your entire shift, but you are human after all. And, if you’re smart, you’ll stay hydrated and well-nourished. That means you’ll have to find places to eat, drink, and take bathroom breaks. Learn where they are along your route, and schedule them around the delivery windows for your packages. Don’t forget about your vehicle – it gets hungry too. Knowing the right spots to refuel or charge up in advance will save you from wasting time looking for them.
Dress the part
Some companies ask you to wear a uniform, but if yours doesn’t, check out the uniforms you see. They’re comfortable, yet neat. The colors match, and they’re right for the weather conditions. Because you’ll be getting in and out of your vehicle a lot, make sure you have outerwear, especially rain gear, so you can safely and comfortably deliver in wet weather. Among your most important articles of clothing are comfortable shoes or boots that give you traction and protection from (depending on the climate where you live) mud, snow, and ice.
Pack the right stuff
We mentioned making sure you get enough to eat and stay hydrated. While it might be tempting to stop at a local eatery or drive-thru, you’ll save time if you pack your own food and drinks. Other items you might want to take along include a pad and paper and a marking pen for packages. You may also need a flashlight to navigate darkened lawns, and safety equipment for your vehicle such as straps to secure packages, a tire gauge, windshield washer fluid, etc.
Be friendly
If you feel the least bit nervous when you first start your gig as a package delivery driver, you’ll get over that quickly with the right attitude. You don’t have to make best friends with the people you meet along the way, but it pays to be friendly. If you notice a cute child or an adorable dog, make a nice comment. Of course, you’ll want to avoid getting too personal, but you can always comment on how nice the weather is, or how much you enjoy meeting people while you work. A positive attitude will drive you straight to a highly successful package delivery gig.
The costs of being a package delivery driver
If you decide to work the kind of gig that requires you to use your own vehicle, you’ve got some things to consider. You’ll need to talk to an insurance expert to find out if the coverage your company offers is sufficient to protect you in case of an accident or theft.
Chances are you’ll have to pay extra for coverage due to using your personal vehicle for commercial purposes. But it’s far better to do that than be tripped up by a clause in your policy that says you’re not covered while using your private vehicle for work purposes.
The reason your insurance company is concerned about this has less to do with your general welfare, and more to do with the wear and tear on your vehicle. Extra mileage equates to reduced valuation, and insurance companies don’t like that. You won’t be too happy when you go to make a trade-in, either. On top of that issue, there’s the lifespan of your brakes and tires to consider. So, you need to weigh the consequences of wear and tear before you dive into package delivery driving.
Fuel is a major expense that you’ll need to factor in when you determine your actual earnings. If you drive a larger vehicle, you know how much it can cost to keep filling the tank. You’ll be doing a lot of stopping and starting, which eats up the contents of your fuel tank, but you can minimize this by being careful about the way you drive between stops.
Ease off the accelerator when you see you’re about to hit a red light, and go easy on the brakes. Don’t push for speed on city streets, for more reasons than one. You’ll use less gas and avoid the extreme costs of traffic citations. Who doesn’t want to avoid that?
Tolls are often unavoidable. Taking the long way around to save yourself from spending a few dollars isn’t worth the few pennies you might save – you need to deliver as fast as possible, remember? Since you can’t afford to take the long way around, you’ll have to jump on the toll road or use the toll bridge or tunnel to make a crossing more than once a day. And …
There are ways to make tolls easier that don’t have you dealing with a windshield-mounted transponder that’s sure to affect your view of the road. One of the very best tools for this is Uproad.
How to make tolls easier and maximize earnings
Uproad is a crucial component of your parcel delivery driver assistance package. It enables you to take the fastest routes to make more money, and lets you cut costs with the lower toll rates that come from paying electronically as compared to cash rates. You’ll also avoid fines and penalties that come with getting caught off guard on the toll road.
Uproad will ping you with Toll Alerts, so not even the sneakiest toll agency-collecting sensor can get one over on you. You’ll be notified when you’ve passed a toll area, and how much you’ll be charged.
Uproad negotiates the rate you pay for tolls with the jurisdictions that set them. The company’s payment plans make toll issues more transparent and convenient. You can link your account to a credit or debit card, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or all of the above.
Additionally, you can use Uproad’s free toll calculator to plan your trips ahead of time and see how much they’re going to cost you. Uproad has mapped out every toll road, bridge, and tunnel, so you never have to question where the tolls are.
And as an added benefit for gig drivers, you can compare your tolling expenses and reimbursements from companies like Uber, Lyft, and more.
Ready to start doing some package delivery driving?
Download the Uproad app now
Then you can look forward to mobile, cashless solutions for stress-free toll road travel. And speaking of stress-free …
If you’re not already using Gridwise, you can track earnings for all your apps, log your mileage automatically, and record expenses as they occur. Where to Drive and When to Drive provide data from real drivers, so you choose your preferred routes and schedule your shifts when services are in high demand.
Make sure you’re maximizing your savings and convenience while you’re on those toll roads – download Gridwise and Uproad to get where you’re going without a bump in the road.
