What Makes a Good Delivery Driver? 8 Important Qualities

The increased demand for delivery services and route delivery drivers was one of the good aspects of 2020.

Over 103 billion items were delivered in 2019, with that number expected to treble by 2026. The number of grocery delivery clients in the United States increased by 133 percent from 2019 to 2020.

Globally, there are currently over 2.14 billion internet shoppers, up nearly 30% from 2016. It’s understandable that people are looking for delivery jobs.

If you run a delivery service, you’ll require competent delivery drivers. However, finding good help can be hard. Fortunately, you can avoid these problems by hiring people who have the proper qualifications. Let’s look at 8 skills to look out for…

Table of Contents

• 1) They provide outstanding customer service
• 2) They know how to drive in a safe and efficient manner
• 3) They keep up with vehicle maintenance
• 4) They have the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly
• 5) They have the ability to solve problems
• 6) They’re well-organized
• 7) They are technologically savvy
• 8) They are in good physical shape
• How to Hire Route Drivers with Experience
• Gives your delivery driver superpowers with EasyRoutes⚡

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1) They provide outstanding customer service

The goal of delivery is not just to drop of packages, but to establish relationships with your customers. And a lot of relationship building has to do with customer service. Customers who are happy with your delivery service will be more likely to buy again from you in the future.

Look for a delivery driver who prioritizes customers and their demands.

2) They know how to drive in a safe and efficient manner

Time management is one of the most difficult parts of delivery driving. Customers want delivery to arrive on time, if not a little early. Make sure your delivery drivers can balance safety and performance before hiring them. Other related qualities include concentration and navigation. While driving, your employees must be able to concentrate for long periods of time and be able to follow a route easily. If a candidate can accomplish all of these while avoiding road rage, they’ll be a good fit.

3) They keep up with vehicle maintenance

Can you be sure your delivery drivers will be able to withstand the elements on the road? Accidents on the road occur more frequently than you’d want (obviously). Accidents, breakdowns, and other natural disasters can cause major delivery delays. Drivers who can address these problems on a basic level will benefit you the most. Don’t waste your time and money on someone who can’t handle a vehicle’s most basic requirements.

4) They have the ability to communicate clearly and succinctly

Effective communication is critical to the success of your business. You need a driver who is able to communicate well. Look for people who are respectful, polite, and able to remain calm in the face of hardship. They must communicate with customers in a calm, polite, and encouraging manner if they engage with them.

A skilled driver also notices opportunities and reports anything out of the norm. If they have a positive, can-do attitude, they will be better able to deal with ambiguous or contradicting circumstances.

5) They have the ability to solve problems

It’s not uncommon for something unexpected to happen. What if there’s a traffic accident? When faced with difficulty, how does the driver you’re interviewing handle it? What if they become separated? Consumer experiences, too, necessitate problem-solving. What is your candidate’s approach to dealing with a dissatisfied customer? Adaptability and ingenuity are revealing features of a good issue solver.

6) They’re well-organized

It’s easy for drivers to become overburdened with paperwork, various goods, and occasionally challenging navigation. To keep things in order, anybody you hire must be well-organized. How do they manage to juggle multiple tasks at the same time? Is the inside of their car filthy or spotless?

Simultaneously, spending so much time arranging their cars or taking the necessary notes slows down delivery time. That’s terrible for business, and it’s even worse for customer service.

Other organizing talents include time management, timeliness, and attention to detail. Ask potential new hires to give examples of demonstrated skill. You can ask their references about those situations as a follow-up.

7) They are technologically savvy

These days, having digital abilities is a prerequisite. Many delivery companies use computers, route-planning software, and other distribution technologies. During the new recruit interview, inquire about the applicants’ technological skills. Even if they are not programmers, drivers must be able to utilize a phone and any other productivity equipment that the organization needs. They must also be willing to learn new software if necessary.

8) They are in good physical shape

The majority of heavy shipments are handled by delivery drivers. Is your candidate able to lift the required amount of weight? Is it possible that they will be able to lift it safely? Because drivers can sit for long periods of time before lifting, they are more prone to back and neck injuries. You want to restrict your liability for injuries as much as possible as an employer. Hire someone who will not put themselves – or your company – in jeopardy. Hire somebody who can easily lift the amount of weight required to remove this risk.

How to Hire Route Drivers with Experience

You now know what characteristics to look for in a delivery driver candidate. Now it’s the hard part of finding them! Hiring can seem daunting, so we’re here to help with two key parts: the job posting, and the job interviews.

Job Postings

Because job boards are frequently where you meet potential drivers for the first time, job ads should handle the majority of the “weeding out” for you by offering brief, direct, and targeted information.

Create a job posting using bullet points and headings that explain the position’s requirements in a readable style. Get a quick overview of the company, the sort of job, the salary per hour/minimum wage, and if the position is full-time or part-time. It is important not to neglect the job description. Define yourself, your job title, and your tasks. As much as possible, be detailed. Include all responsibilities and credentials, such as required abilities, minimum lifting requirements, and past experience. Inform candidates on how to apply and what kind of experience they should include in their application.

Consider a job posting to be a message to a prospective employee, inviting them to join your organization. Write in a language they are familiar with. Make it enticing to them and engaging. If you sell yourself effectively to your ideal applicant, they will come to you.

Interviewing Drivers

You can begin conducting interviews after you’ve eliminated the less-than-ideal applicants. Unfair or potentially discriminating questions should be avoided. Consider the following if you’re at a loss for questions:

• What is your opinion of your navigational skills?
• If you got a flat tire, what would you do?
• How would you respond to a disgruntled client?
• As part of your driver employment, what would you do in X situation?
• Have you ever been convicted of a traffic violation?

Before interviewing for driver jobs, check each route delivery driver’s driving record to verify if their answers to the above questions are consistent. You should also ask for references. A person’s capacity to meet work criteria might be determined by two or three reliable references. Even better, as a best practice, request that top managers refer candidates who they believe would become good workers. While this method of recruitment is dangerous, obtaining a reference from a reliable employee can save you weeks of time and effort.

It’s likely that attracting talent is proving tough for you. Recruiting and training high-potential employees should be considered as a last resort. A quick learner with good customer service abilities is better to a well-trained driver with bad social skills.

Gives your delivery driver superpowers with EasyRoutes⚡

EasyRoutes delivery management app for Shopify increases productivity while cutting costs and saving time.

Our EasyRoutes Delivery Driver app designed to give you or your driver instant access to all of the information and controls they require. It enables your delivery team to navigate stop-by-stop using their preferred navigation software.

Drivers can designate orders as Out for Delivery, Delivered, or Attempted Delivery while on the road. Drivers can also view any crucial delivery notes as well as the products they are transporting. As proof of delivery, they can include numerous images, an e-signature, and a note. With the touch of a button, they can even phone or text a consumer.

Because EasyRoutes is so tightly integrated with Shopify, any changes you make while on the road are automatically synced back to your Shopify orders.

Try EasyRoutes for free for 14 days! Click the button below to install EasyRoutes from the Shopify App Store now.