Courier Driver Career Guide and Counseling

Question: where can a find a good guide on becoming a courier driver? Can anyone tell me of any good books or website guides on how to become a courier driver, i bought one over the internet but it turned out to be a scam as i never recieved the book. What is the best way to get into courier work?

Answer: There are probably not very many books on the subject. The fact is that if you have a driver's license and a good driving record, you would qualify for the job. It wouldn't hurt to be familiar with the area and have a map. Having a GPS unit that works by addresses and gives audible directions would also be a good idea. There is nothing to it if you can drive and read a map.

Question: what are pros and cons of being a courier driver? US answers? I'm thinking of becoming an independent contract courier driver? Just wandering what others think of this career choice! Thanks for any help!

Answer: Pros: you can work with little supervision. Cons: high gas prices, high maintenance cost on your vehicle, you probably won't have any benefits like health insurance, 401K or vacation time.

Question: How do yo get paid as a self employed courier driver? Is it by the parcel or by the hours you work? ? If It is by parcel - how much is a parcel worth or does it go by weight. Or if it is by the hour, how much would this be?

Answer: By the parcel - I think about 20p per one. Friend does it.

Question: How to earn good money when you are a courier driver especially Xmas time.?

Answer: You might think about doing something on a part time basis, as I did when I used to drive a lorry. Go to www.homebasedcareer.co.uk to find out more details on what we do, that has flexible hours, and is based from home.

Question: I am thinking of becomming an owner driver courier. Can anyone tell me how hard it is to get work? UK answers? I am currently self employed but need some more money to boost my income. I have a large van and enjoy driving and so I am considerign doing some courier work. Some of the websites suggest that its very easy to get work and its well paid if you work as a freelancer. Can anyone tell me if there is any truth in that or is it just a clever sales patter to get you to purchase their how to manual? I don't want to fork out loads for insurance if its a myth.

Answer: our firm has some owner drivers with vans and pickups, and they too are in the £600-£800 earnings, they seam to love it, even though they can be called in to do a delivery in very unsocial hours of the day. so maybe going around your local haulage firms and making yourself known + hand out a few business cards may get you some work, if they don't know your there, they don't know they can ring you. give it a go, and i wish you good luck in your venture.

Question: How will the courier driver earn in new zealand? Is it good business?

Answer: Not sure of the earnings but you can find out by looking for courier jobs on the job website as they sometimes have the wages - seek.co.nz & look up courier drivers on this website as it usually states the kind of wages you can earn (but it's out of date so add 10% to whatever figures it gives) - http://careers.govt.nz/ You shouldn't have problems getting a job doing that (if you are already living in NZ & are elible to work here). But if you are looking to start up your own courier business there is alot of competition.

Question: Becoming a self employed driver courier, does anyone know best way to get into this? any good books? not cons? I'm trying to find out how to become a self employed courier driver, but find that alot of books, websites or job offers in courier work are scams. Can anyone give me some good advice, contacts, websites in getting started?

Answer: manchester, birmingham, exeter amd london. circle express also trading as connexion couriers. they employ owenr drivers and the majoroty with them have done so for years. the best i know of in the business for owner drivers

Question: Info or experience on being an owner driver in the courier business.? I am thinking of becoming an owner driver in the courier market around greater manchester, i would like to here any personal expirience as to it being worth while or not, many thanks.

Answer: Some of the issues you will face is that the courier business is fiercly competitive. Those distributors that might hire you will pare their rates to you right down to the bone. Then their is the problem that for any distance work you may run empty on your return unless you have potential contacts in the desination location. Having had all that you obviously have to source your own vehicle/road tax/insurance/maintenance and fuel costs. It will not be easy to make a decent living in my view. You could probably earn more signing up with a driving agency but make sure you do your research well.

Question: where can i apply for courier driver's insurance? courier driver's insurance is for a small mini van to carry packages from point A to point B..some insurance companies are saying it isn't available..any ideas??

Answer: Perhaps You may google it first ,however, if you like some direct resource ,here http://www.InsuranceFreeTip.info/insurance-for-free.htm might be your choosing.

Question: Can you name as many popular courier/driver services within the uk?

Answer: Not being funny here but what for? I have been a courier driver for a number of years and could probably name half a dozen off the top of my head but as they're not all national, wouldn't be much use to you. Try Yellow Pages/Yell.com or similar or try Google. Your local library would have yellow pages from all over the country but the search engines would be easier/quicker. Go on, good experience. I could do it for you but you'd learn nothing that way! :)