How to Become a UPS Driver

Pretty much everyone has seen the trade mark brown van, “UPS” stamped in a fine gold emblem across the back, a well dressed UPS driver at the wheel. A UPS Driver is a United Postal Service employee.

UPS driver’s can actually do more than just deliver packages to customers, UPS employs several types of drivers. The well known package delivery driver, tractor-trailer drivers, full-time freight road truck drivers, full-time freight in-city drivers, freight truckload dedicated drivers, and freight truckload domestic drivers. All of these positions of course have one thing in common, they are jobs driving something.

While not many people start off aspiring to be UPS driver’s as children, the field has grown in demand these days as the pay is tempting even to some college graduates. The average salary for a US UPS driver is in the 70K range with full benefits and a generous retirement program.

This simple step by step guide on how to become a UPS driver will help you determine if being a UPS driver is something you may want chose as a career, explain the requirements to become a UPS driver and how to go about doing so.

As stated UPS employs more than one kind of driver, each one entails a slightly different job though all require driving. The main difference is the length of time a driver spends on the road, or in a few cases the time of day they work.

Package delivery driver:

This is the driver that delivers packages to customers. Drivers typically work 8-9 hours a day on weekdays and usually have weekends and holidays off. It’s an active job that requires a lot of lifting sometimes upwards of 70 lbs.

Package operation tractor-trailer driver:

These drivers work at night usually obtaining packages for the daily deliveries from close range offices. Shifts are again usually 8-9 hours and only on non-holiday weekends.

Full-time freight road truck drivers:

These drivers deliver and pick-up freight over long distances to two or more locations. Routes tend to be shorter and finished in a single 8-9 hour shift.

Full-time freight in-city drivers:

These drivers perform the same duties as a freight road trick driver but do so over a city route.

Freight truckload dedicated drivers:

These drivers are assigned to primarily run freight for one customer and do larger, longer runs. Freight trips are generally 5-10 days in range.

Freight truckload domestic drivers:

These are the long haul drivers. They pick up and drop off freight from anywhere in the country and handle the longest runs which can be anywhere up to three weeks in length.

Like any job being a UPS driver has some basic requirements that every applicant must meet. One of the advantages of UPS driving is that it does not require a college degree and is a fairly high paying job.

A list of requirements for being a UPS Driver:

Neat appearance and clean shaven. UPS does not allow beards, tattoos and piercings cannot be visible and hair must be kept above the collar. You will be required to wear a uniform at all times.

Drug and Physical testing required. Applicants must be drug-free and physically able to lift 70 lbs on a regular basis.

Be able to read and write the English language.

GED or High School Diploma

Be able to drive a manual transmission.

Valid Driver’s License with clean driving record (Less than two violations in the last three years.)

Clean criminal record (No felonies)

Most positions require an applicant be 21 to 23 years of age depending on the driving position.

Some positions require special license such as a commercial drivers license, or CDL.

Some requirements as mention vary by actually driver position, the last two requirements on the above list may not apply to all jobs.

Once you have decided becoming a UPS driver is what you want to do and the established you meet all the basic requirements for the job the next step is to actually become a UPS driver.

Applying is the first step in this process.

To Apply to be a UPS Driver:

You can search their webpage for available positions in your area and apply right online at:

https://ups.managehr.com/Careers.htm

You can go into a UPS office in person and apply there.

Once you’ve applied you may be called for an interview. This can often take time because as mentioned earlier in this how to guide UPS jobs are in high demand. This will be like any other job interview. You will need to bring a picture ID and proof of eligibility to work.

UPS usually starts potential drivers as part-time freight handlers and the promotes them to full-time and then finally to driver’s once they have learned the job a bit and have passed a six day training course for driving UPS vehicles. Even once promoted to driver there is a 90 day probationary period in which any tickets or accidents will lose your job.