Van drivers are mainly involved with deliveries. Drivers are responsible for:

• collecting goods
• loading the vehicle according to written instructions
• planning a route to ensure deliveries are made on time
• transporting goods safely
• unloading at the drop off point
• recording the delivery.

Vehicles vary in size, depending on the load and the type of licence the driver holds. A van could be a small car or a light commercial vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes. In vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, a tachograph in the cab records the number of hours spent driving, resting and loading or unloading. It also measures the speed of the van and the distance travelled.

If delivering valuables or cash, a specially adapted van with a time-lock safe or other security features, may be used.

Some van drivers may sell items from their van, for more information about this see the Roundsperson profile.

Hours and Environment

Hours vary, but an average week could be between 40 and 48 hours. Some companies offer overtime in the evenings and at weekends. However, there are legal limits on drivers' hours, depending on the vehicle, that employers must adhere to.

Drivers work in all weathers, and sometimes have to deal with hazardous driving conditions.

In some jobs, they might have to wear a uniform and, if carrying valuables or cash, they may wear body armour and a helmet.

Skills and Interests

To be a van driver you should:

• enjoy driving and have excellent practical driving skills
• be able to work alone and maintain concentration
• be patient, and have a polite attitude towards other road users
• have good communication skills
• have an awareness of general road safety
• have a good knowledge of the roads in the area
• be able to complete record sheets and paperwork.

Entry

No formal academic qualifications are required. However, usual requirements are:

• basic ability in English and maths
• an appropriate licence and a good driving record
• good eyesight and colour vision.

If you passed your car test after 1 January 1997, you can only drive vans under 3.5 tonnes. Before you can drive vehicles between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, you need to pass the LGV medical, theory and practical tests to gain your C1 category licence. Further practical tests have to be taken for categories C and C+E licences (large vehicles and trailers).

Careers in Logistics hold details of LGV training providers throughout the country. See website in Further Information.

If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997, you are automatically entitled to the C1 licence and can drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes.

Please Note
A new EU Directive, to be implemented by 2009, will mean that every professional driver will need to take an 'initial qualification'. See the DSA website in Further Information for more details.

The minimum age for driving small vehicles is 17, for a C1 licence it is 18 and for C and C+E licences it is 21. Skills for Logistics have set up a Young Drivers Scheme, for people aged 16 to 21, where they fund employers to provide a structured training programme and it is possible to gain LGV licences early. However, many employers prefer all applicants to be over 21 for insurance purposes.

Young people may be able to enter through apprenticeship schemes (see Training).

Training

Some companies may train their drivers and put them through the C1 test, but it is also possible to train privately at a specialist driving school and then take the test independently.

All drivers are usually trained in:

• Completing paperwork
• company rules and types of goods
• routes and procedures (shown by an experienced driver).

The new EU Directive, that will be introduced in this country by 2009, will mean that professional drivers must undertake 35 hours of re-training every five years.

To drive valuables, you may also need training in defensive driving and personal security. If working on contract from a security firm, transporting cash and valuables, it is compulsory to hold a Security Industry Association (SIA) licence. See contact details in Further Information.

It may be possible to work towards qualifications. For example, NVQs/SVQs are available at Level 2 in Carry and Deliver Goods and levels 2 and 3 in Driving Goods vehicles.

For full details of training and qualifications, contact Skills for Logistics or visit the Careers in Logistics website (see Further Information).

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

Opportunities

As a van driver, there are opportunities to work for a huge range of manufacturing, service and retail companies, throughout the country. In recent years there has been an increase in opportunities delivering goods ordered over the internet.

Opportunity for promotion would be in related areas of transport and retail. It may be possible to move into supervisory or management posts.

By taking the C+E category test, you could drive large goods vehicles for a haulage or distribution company (see Driver: Large Goods Vehicle profile).

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Full-time drivers can earn between £11,000 and £18,000 a year.

Some companies offer bonuses for attendance or for covering a certain amount of work.

Further information

Roadway House
35 Monument Hill
Weybridge
KT13 8RN
Tel: 01932 841515 PO Box 9
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE82 6YX
Tel: 0870 243 0100 14 Warren Yard
Warren Farm Office Village
Stratford Road
Milton Keynes
MK12 5NW
Tel: 0870 242 7314 Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU
Tel: 0115 901 2500