Van Driver
12NOT A FORECAST57%
A van driver delivers parcels, goods or equipment to homes and businesses, often making many drops a day to a schedule. It suits reliable, independent people who like driving, know their way around and don't mind the pressure of hitting delivery targets.
THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.
AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.
The work is loading the van, planning the route, driving safely between drops, delivering parcels and getting them signed for, often to tight timings. Good road sense, organisation and reliability matter, along with the patience for traffic, busy schedules and lifting parcels in and out all day.
The work involves early starts, long days and a lot of time alone driving and walking parcels to doors, in all weathers, with pay that varies and delivery roles often paid by the route or drop. Some drivers are employed, while many delivery drivers are self-employed and cover their own costs.
You need a valid driving licence, with larger vans requiring the right category, and clean, safe driving is essential. No other qualifications are needed and you learn the round on the job, with self-employed drivers handling their own tax.