6 Skills You Need to Work as a Driver

Driving jobs are varied and exciting. From cab drivers to chauffeurs, long-haul truckers, and couriers, there really is a driving job for everyone. Driving offers freedom and, if you’re able to go fully freelance, you can often set your own schedule and choose work as you see fit. Whatever type of driving job you choose, there are a few skills that you’ll need.

#1 Time management

First and foremost, drivers work to tight schedules. That’s especially pertinent for couriers, who might only have a matter of minutes between deliveries, but it’s universally true. As a driver, you’ll need to plan your schedule and deliver on time. A single delayed delivery can have a domino effect for the rest of the day, derailing your schedule, so it’s important to stay on track.

#2 Problem solving

Roads are dynamic spaces. Problems can develop at any time, perhaps an accident that closes a road or routine maintenance that forces you to take a different route. Given the often tight schedules that drivers work on, this can be difficult. You’ll need to think fast, find new routes and new solutions to keep your job on track.

#3 Customer relations

Although you’ll spend a lot of time behind the wheel, there is a customer relations element to being a delivery driver. You’ll be the point of contact if there’s something wrong with a delivery, even if that problem is nothing to do with you. Communicating with customers, helping them with any issues, and pointing them in the direction of solutions is all part of being a driver. Some jobs (cab driver, for example) are more customer orientated than others, but this is a part of the job that’s unavoidable.

#4 All-weather driving ability

Most people can drive quite happily on a clear, sunny day, but if driving is your career, you’ll be on the road all year round. This can mean driving through heavy rain, fog, snow, and even ice. Being able to handle treacherous conditions is part of the job. If you’ve never driven in hazardous conditions before, it’s useful to seek out additional practice or training before you begin.

#5 Entrepreneurial spirit

Nearly all driving jobs have some kind of entrepreneurial bend, and you’ll sometimes have to source your own work as a freelancer. Job boards are the place to look. Sites like Shiply help drivers find the right courier jobs. It’s a great site where you can browse available jobs, sort them according to various criteria and find work that fits your schedule.

#6 Maintenance 
You won’t need to strip a vehicle down to its bare components, but having some basic maintenance knowledge will help you stay on the road. Even being able to perform simple tasks like oil changes, replacing worn-down components, and keeping tires in good order can make a huge difference. Time is money when you’re working as a driver. Every hour spent off the road is an hour when you could have been generating income.