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Van Driver

​What does a driver do?

Working as a driver means more than merely getting behind the wheel. It requires expertise in navigation, understanding of the rules of the road, vehicle maintenance, and excellentinterpersonal skillswhen dealing with customers or passengers. Typically, a driver is expected to:

Deliver goods or passengers

Whatever vehicle you drive, your job will be getting goods or people from A to B. Your responsibility will be to do this as efficiently and safely as possible, from short taxi trips to long-haul goods delivery journeys.

Conduct pre-trip inspections

All professional drivers must ensure their vehicles are safe and ready for travel. This check may involve a walk-around, checking tyre pressure, or ensuring the vehicle has sufficient fuel and oil.

Navigate effectively

A driver should possess excellent navigationskills, often augmented with technology help such as GPS. You should find more efficient routes or alternative directions in case of road closures or heavy traffic.

Keep records

Some roles involve keeping detailed records such as mileage logs, delivery documents, or vehicle service histories. These are essential for many cargo delivery tasks or contractual obligations.

Deliver excellent customer service

Especially in passenger transportation, a driver represents their organisation, spending their workday interacting with the public. For goods haulage, you'll often be liaising with logistics employees. So, excellentcustomer service skillswill be essential whatever your driving role.

Where does a driver work?

The driving profession's diversity can provide many opportunities, and there's likely a driving job to suit anyone interested in this career. Some of the industries that employ drivers include:

  • Taxi services

  • Private hire companies

  • Delivery and courier firms

  • Public transport roles, like bus drivers

  • Long-haul positions, like lorry drivers forlogisticscompanies