Contract Delivery Jobs: A Detailed Career Guide on Contract Delivery Drivers

Due to the ease of online shopping, delivery jobs have become more and more common in recent years. For instance, contract delivery jobs entail people or small businesses signing a contract with a company to deliver packages.

The global shipping service delivered nearly 131 billion parcels in 2020 and it is expected to reach over 260 billion by 2026. Surely you can understand from the above figure how huge the delivery service industry is and how beneficial it is to have your own delivery business or become a contract delivery driver.

If you are curious about the job and technical requirements for contract delivery jobs and the earning potential of a contract driver, then you are at the right place. In this detailed guide, we will tell you everything that entails the position of contract driver.

Let’s get started!

Who is a Contract Delivery Driver?

A contract delivery driver is someone who delivers shipments but works independently and is employed by a corporation on a contract basis. However, contract drivers are not necessarily required to sign a legal contract before conducting business with a company. A verbal agreement is also acceptable at times.

As a contract driver, you will have the same responsibilities and be paid the same as a full-time delivery driver. Moreover, the corporation does not deduct taxes from your earnings.

You also have the option to choose between delivery and courier contract work. Although delivery and courier drivers execute the same activities, the essential requirement for these two jobs differ. Also, it would be best if you had at least a year of commercial driving experience with a clean driving record. Delivery drivers deliver packages within five to seven business days. Whereas, courier service drivers provide same-day delivery, necessitating speedier services.

Roles and Responsibilities of Contract Delivery Drivers

Suppose you decide to work as an independent contractor delivery driver for a company. In that case, you will either deliver a set volume of packages or deliver shipments for a set amount of time.

You must drive your personal vehicle, and you will be accountable for the expenses of fuel and upkeep. If you decide to become a contract driver, you will have the following additional responsibilities:

1. Ensure that packages are safe

If you want to stay in the delivery service industry, your credibility as a contract delivery driver is essential. Protecting your delivery packages is an important obligation because broken items can damage your reputation and also cost your job. 

As a delivery driver, you may be required to deliver the following items:

• Documents
• Pharmaceuticals
• Garments
• Fragile items such as cups or vases

There is always a risk of theft and breakage while transporting goods. Therefore, you must ensure that all types of packages in your delivery vehicle are properly packaged and stored carefully to avoid damage or theft.

2. Making on-time deliveries

Customers become dissatisfied and annoyed when delivery packages are not delivered on time. This is especially the case if the shipment was ordered as a birthday gift or a surprise for a loved one.

Contractual delivery driver jobs demand drivers to reliably make deliveries on the scheduled day and time. Drivers must also contact the delivery companies and their customers if they are unable to fulfill the delivery schedule due to some unexpected situations such as bad weather conditions or a terrible traffic accident.

3. Signatures from recipients as proof of delivery

Simply delivering packages is not enough. You should also collect proof of delivery to prevent any disputes over missed deliveries or delivering a damaged package.

When your customers receive their packages, you must get their signatures or take pictures of the shipments as proof of delivery.

How to Get Contract Delivery Jobs

Your success, as with other freelance professions, is determined by your ability to find contract driver jobs.

One of the first steps you could take is to search for local businesses that may require your services. For instance, a nearby bakery store or floral shop. You can improve your efficiency by networking with local businesses in your area. You can also use online portals like Indeed and ZipRecruiter to increase your visibility.

If you’re just getting started, it’s best to obtain some experience first. This helps to collect testimonials from your initial clientele. As you gain experience, you may be able to work with the biggest delivery services providers such as FedEx, Amazon, and USPS. Below is how to score contract driver jobs from the above courier industry giants.

1. FedEx independent contractor jobs

The following is an overview of the various types of independent delivery driver jobs offered by FedEx:

FedEx Ground independent contractor

As a FedEx Ground independent contractor, you will be responsible for transporting packages across distant locations. To apply for employment, you must have a recent and valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). You should also have, at minimum, one year of commercial driving experience and no drug or alcohol record charges against you.

To work for FedEx Ground, you must first create a profile on the company’s website. You can then apply for a range of contractor package delivery jobs that match your employment needs.

FedEx Home Delivery independent contractor

You will make deliveries in residential areas as a home delivery independent contractor. To transport packages, you’ll need a delivery van or truck, a CDL, one year of job experience, and the right to freely enter the Canadian border. This category of independent contractor package delivery jobs can be found on the FedEx career page.

FedEx Custom Critical owner-operator

To apply for FedEx’s Custom Critical owner-operator positions, you should be 21 years old or older and own a cargo van or a tractor-trailer. The automobile should be equipped with safety mechanisms such as:

• Fire extinguishers
• Warning devices
• Mounted spare fuses
• Reflective triangles

You can apply for this position by filling out and submitting your FedEx contractor form application. The contractor form will also describe the criteria for applicants and the type of information necessary to finish the job application.

2. Amazon delivery contractor jobs

Amazon independent contractor driver job opportunities are available through the company’s delivery service program and Amazon Flex.

Amazon delivery service program

The Amazon delivery service program is offered in a few states, including:

• Texas
• Ohio
• Washington
• California
• New York
• Indiana
• Michigan

This contract delivery job gives you the opportunity to start your independent delivery business through Amazon. However, to apply for this job, you must have a fleet of at least 20 to 40 delivery vans or trucks and $30,000 in liquid assets.

If your application is successful, an Amazon employee will contact you for a preliminary interview. During this point, you might well be requested to visit a local delivery station to observe and learn firsthand what it’s like being a DSP owner.

You must also finish a three-week training program after passing the initial interview. Following the training, you will be able to formally launch your Amazon delivery service business.

Amazon Flex

If you enjoy driving and are at least 21 years old, you can make regular income through this simple Amazon program.

You must first download the Amazon application and create an account. You can reserve “delivery blocks” on the application. Each block will display your potential earnings and delivery timeline.

After scheduling your block, you need to pick up your shipments at an Amazon hub. You must deliver these products to their proper locations.

3. US Postal Service independent delivery jobs

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has various contract delivery positions available. Every day, the corporation processes and delivers approximately 167.3 million pieces of First-Class Mail, and they rely on independent contractors to do it. Just fill out and send their online application form through mail to the local office. To apply, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• You must be 21 years old or older.
• You need to have a vehicle that can transport large amounts of mail.
• You must live in or near the area where you will deliver mail.

Because candidates are kept on a standby list, it could be difficult to receive a prompt response. After your application form is reviewed, they will contact you to discuss career opportunities in your region.

Benefits of Contract Delivery Jobs

The following are some of the benefits of working as an independent contractor delivery driver:

1. You take control of your situation

Working as an independent delivery driver permits you to set flexible working hours according to your convenience. Therefore, it’s totally up to you whether you want to work as part-time driver or full-time as a contract driver. This flexibility lets you become your own boss.

Becoming an independent contract driver enables you to find and manage all your work. This is not the case when you work full-time for any business organization where you have to report back to multiple people and cannot choose your work.

2. Widen your scope of the job

Do you wish to collaborate with the industry’s largest delivery service providers? Becoming a contract driver widens your scope of the job. You can work independent contractor delivery driver jobs for giant corporations such as Amazon and FedEx, which will allow you to earn more.

3. Improved work-life balance

One of the major advantages of contract driving is the ability to efficiently manage your time in order to balance your professional and personal life. When you work as an independent contract driver, you set your own schedule and manage your own workload.

4. Opportunities to make more money

The amount of money independent contractors can make is one of the biggest factors why they opt to become self-employed. Because you can choose how many deliveries you wish to do in a day as an independent contractor driver, you can make more money than the firm’s in-house drivers.

Essential Tools Required by Contract Delivery Jobs Drivers

To make your delivery job easier, you’ll need multiple tools, such as:

• Smartphone device

  To speak with clients or dispatch operators, you’ll need a hands-free mobile phone device. Your hands-free device enables you to keep your eyes on the road.

• Route optimization software application

  To plan efficient routes that will allow you to make on-time deliveries, you will require route planning and optimization software.

• Dashboard camera

  A dashboard camera could be required as an additional security feature in your delivery vehicle. The dashcam can potentially be used as proof of delivery too.

• First-aid kit

  When you’re driving, accidents can happen. Make sure you have a first-aid kit in your delivery vehicle for small injuries, as well as any medications you might require if you have specific medical issues.

• Ratchet straps

  When carrying large things, you might have to utilize ratchet straps as well as other tiedown accessories to securely hold your shipment load.

• Storage

  To keep certain goods secure, you might require containers or carts. Label these containers so that you know where all of the parcels are when you deliver things.

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For example, if you encounter sudden traffic jams, you can reverse the entire route with a single click. This is why we require such software for your business to increase your operational efficiency drastically. 

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Conclusion

The contractor delivery job does not end upon successful delivery. It is more about enhancing your brand value by developing new ways to grow your business. So, give more attention to providing an exceptional level of service to service your business and also get more customers.

It is critical to keep the customers happy; this is where Upper Route Planner comes to the rescue. With Upper’s automated route planning, you can take your deliveries to the next level. Don’t just believe us; you can book a demo now and explore it by yourself.