what is a driver?
As a driver, you drive vehicles, including trucks and trailers. Your job is to move items from one location to another. For instance, you transport finished products and raw materials using trucks. You work with a logistics company or as an in-house driver to assist in the transportation department. You deliver goods from the warehouse to retail stores or raw materials to a production plant. If you are a delivery driver, you deliver products to customers.
The duties of a driver include operating trucks and other vehicles to deliver items. You map the route of your delivery and stops to ensure efficiency. You also load and offload cargo on your delivery schedule. Drivers also perform various maintenance duties, such as pre-inspecting trucks before delivery and completing minor repairs.
As a driver, you are expected to follow driving instructions and road maps to find the correct delivery locations. You also follow safe driving regulations and practices. You require excellent navigation skills to find the best routes to excel in your role. Having good time management skills also helps you keep up with deadlines.
Would working as a driver suit your navigation and time management skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a driver role.
driver jobsaverage driver salary
According to Job Bank, the average salary of a driver is $42,900 per year. Your earnings depend on your experience and qualifications. For instance, when you are new in the role, you start with an annual salary of $35,802. The most experienced drivers make up to $60,134 per year. Your area of specialization may also influence your earnings. For instance, a truck driver earns an average annual salary of $48,750 or an hourly rate of $25. A commercial driver earns an average salary of $55,000 yearly.
how to increase your salary as a driver
As a driver, your earnings depend on your qualifications and experience. You start with a lower salary at an entry-level position due to your minimal experience. As you improve your skills and gain experience, your earnings increase gradually. While a college diploma is not mandatory, professional certification improves your earning potential.
Aside from improving your qualifications, you can also increase your earnings by working additional hours. While most drivers work on shift schedules, adding extra work hours enhances your take-home salary. Working for a large company also increases your earning potential since they usually pay higher salaries than smaller companies.
types of drivers
Some of the types of drivers include:
- transport drivers: as a transport driver, you are responsible for driving passenger vans, tractor-trailers and flatbeds. You deliver goods and passengers to their destinations. The role requires familiarity with the vehicles allowed on certain roads and the ability to drive in all weather conditions.
- bus drivers: as a bus driver, you drive buses carrying passengers. The role requires a commercial driver’s licence and the completion of a bus driving course.
- courier drivers: as a courier driver, you transport packages to intended recipients. You deliver the packages to businesses and people’s homes, which requires good navigation skills to find the destinations on the map.
- delivery drivers: as a delivery driver, you transport various goods, such as construction materials or food. You drive trucks, vans or trailers to transport items from the warehouse to their required locations.
working as a driver
Drivers transport goods or passengers by motor vehicle. Discover the duties, responsibilities and career outlook of drivers.
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what does a driver do?
Your duties as a driver depend on the company you work for. However, the typical tasks include:
- driving vehicles: you are expected to drive safely and maintain the passenger and goods transport regulations. You ensure safety and follow the designated routes to meet delivery deadlines.
- transporting goods: as a driver, you transport goods from one location to another. Depending on your industry, the items could include hygiene items, food and construction materials. You drive vehicles carrying heavy loads to their destinations, sometimes across cross-regional or national boundaries.
- managing logistics: as a driver, you plan the routes trucks use to deliver items to various destinations. You use GPS devices and maps to navigate your way and find alternative routes. Other logistics duties include recording any road incidents, as well as keeping a log of the location of trucks and hours.
- loading and unloading trucks: as a driver, you load the truck or vehicle at the collection point and help unload the goods at their destination. This could involve using machinery to load or offload goods.
- recordkeeping: while your primary role is to deliver goods, you also record the deliveries. When items are damaged in transit, you keep a record for documentation. You also check the inventory of deliveries.
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work environment of a driver
As a driver, you work in diverse environments. For instance, you work in warehouses, manufacturing industries and logistics companies. You spend most of the day driving to deliver goods or loading and unloading goods at the warehouse. When planning travel routes and maintaining records, you work in the company's office. Since you spend a considerable time outdoors, be ready to work in all weather conditions.
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who are your colleagues?
Drivers work with various professionals from the logistics industry. You work alongside warehouse associates, forklift operators and order pickers. Other professionals you are likely to interact with include shipper receivers and dispatchers.
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driver work schedule
The work schedule of a driver depends on the industry. However, you are likely to work over 40 hours a week. Most drivers work on shift schedules of 8 to 12 hours. When transporting goods across provinces or national boundaries, you sometimes drive at night and may be away for days at a time.
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career opportunities as a driver
Being a driver is an exciting career with numerous growth opportunities. While you can specialize in working as a delivery or courier driver, you also have logistics career options. For instance, you can work in a logistics company as a dispatcher or move to a managerial role, such as a logistics manager.
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advantages of finding a job as a driver through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
driver skills and education
Some of the requirements for becoming a driver in Canada include the following:
- completion of secondary school: the minimum requirement for becoming a driver is completing secondary school. Most employers provide on-the-job training on the duties and expectations of a driver. You may need to pursue an accredited driver training course at a community college or vocational school, which takes around three months to complete.
- professional certification and licensing: if your duties involve driving straight-body trucks, you require a Class 3 or D licence. A Class 1 or A licence is required for driving long combination vehicles. You may also need certification to work in some industries. For instance, to work in oil and gas transportation services in Alberta, you require certification from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. In Ontario, a tractor commercial driver job is regulated, and you can pursue your certification from the Ontario College of Trades. Truck drivers in Saskatchewan require certification from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission.
competencies and characteristics of drivers
Aside from knowing how to drive, you need additional skills, including:
- navigation: as a driver, you use different routes to deliver products or drop off passengers. To ensure you make timely deliveries, you require strong navigation skills to avoid getting lost on a new route. Navigation skills help you stay on track with deliveries and adapt to unfamiliar areas using a map.
- customer service skills: as a driver, you collaborate with various professionals. For instance, if you drive a truck, you work with warehouse workers and speak with clients when delivering items. Due to the nature of your duties, you require strong customer service skills to provide a positive and enthusiastic work experience with people.
- basic knowledge in maintenance: the truck or vehicle may break down on your shift, and it is beneficial to have basic maintenance skills. Your knowledge of trucks and vehicles helps you fix mechanical problems that may occur unexpectedly.
- efficiency and time management: as a driver, your shift involves stopping to drop off multiple items at different locations. Since you have a strict schedule, your time management skills help you maintain the schedule and ensure every package arrives at its destination in a timely manner.
- physical fitness and strength: your job involves moving in and out of the truck to load or offload items. Having physical strength and stamina helps you withstand long working hours.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a driver.
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what are the main responsibilities of a driver?
As a driver, you drive trucks or delivery vehicles to ensure materials get to the production plants and customers receive their orders on time. You map out driving routes to find the most efficient route for your trip. If you carry passengers, you pick up clients from the place and time they requested. You also collect payments and issue receipts to customers.
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how do you become a truck driver?
To become a driver, you require a driver’s licence. The requirements vary depending on the province. For instance, you require a Class G licence to drive trucks in Ontario. Consider attending a truck driving school to learn the necessary skills. Most employers may require you to pass designated medical and vision tests and have a clean driving record.
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what is the salary of a driver in Canada?
The average driver's salary in Canada is $42,900 annually or an hourly rate of $22. When you work in an entry-level position, you start with a yearly salary of $35,802. As you gain experience and qualifications, your earnings increase gradually, and you can take home over $60,134 per year. The earnings also depend on the type of vehicle you drive. For instance, truck drivers earn more due to the work involved.
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what skills do you need as a driver?
You require good time management skills to adhere to work schedules and arrive at your destination on time. With time management skills, you can plan your routes and take the allotted breaks, ensuring you are well-rested to perform your duties.
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is being a driver a good career?
Working as a driver is a great career with promising job prospects. You are an important member of the logistics team and have numerous opportunities for career growth. For instance, you can become a delivery driver or a truck driver.
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how do I find a job as a driver?
Finding a job near you as a driver is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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