| Taking on courier jobs for a living can be an | | | | What Hours Will I Work? |
| extremely rewarding and profitable profession. Of the | | | | Dependent on whether you work for yourself or |
| many advantages of this type of work, the most | | | | take on courier jobs as an employee of a larger firm, |
| obvious are the diversity, the ability to earn a good | | | | your hours can vary greatly. Some longer distance |
| day's pay for a good day's work and, perhaps the | | | | couriers will work early mornings in order to meet |
| most attractive perk of all, the independence and | | | | commitments and, if the destination is several hours |
| freedom of being on the road. Admittedly courier | | | | away, their working day may not finish until evening |
| jobs aren't for everyone, but if you think it may be | | | | when they return. If you choose to work as an |
| something you would like to take on, if you're a | | | | owner-driver obviously the more work you take on |
| complete novice you probably have a few questions | | | | the more you will earn; so it really is a matter of |
| about the ins and outs of the profession. Here are | | | | managing your time as effectively as possible. The |
| just a few answers... | | | | most important thing to remember is never to push |
| Do I Have to Have a Licence? | | | | yourself too far physically; driving tired is extremely |
| Depending on the type of work you will be doing you | | | | dangerous. |
| may need a HGV licence for some larger courier jobs | | | | What Will I be Delivering? |
| or an upgrade on your normal driver's licence if you | | | | The answer to that is anything and everything. |
| are going to be driving vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes. If | | | | Sometimes it may be as small as a document folder |
| you are going to become an owner-driver then you | | | | or it can be as large as a piece of furniture. The |
| will need the appropriate licence for the capacity of | | | | transport industry is full of stories of strange |
| vehicle or motor bike you purchase or lease, as well | | | | deliveries and urban myths of ticking parcels, but the |
| as full insurance. Of course, not all courier jobs involve | | | | reality is, most courier jobs involve everyday items. |
| a van, truck or motor bike. If you don't have a | | | | As long as there's nothing illegal inside the parcels or |
| driving licence you can still become a cycle courier, | | | | boxes you load and unload, the main thing you will |
| with all the benefits of life on the road but without | | | | need to consider is their weight and fragility. |
| the traffic jams and petrol costs! The only thing you'll | | | | Will I Make a Good Courier? |
| need if you want to become a cycle courier is a | | | | The main attributes needed to begin work in courier |
| good set of safety gear: helmet, gloves, reflective | | | | jobs are a calm disposition, a sensible head and the |
| lycras and appropriate cycling shoes. You will be able | | | | ability to work well under pressure. Anything else is a |
| to zip in and out of traffic and, although your | | | | plus and you don't need any special qualifications |
| packages will be more documents than anything else, | | | | (except for the afore-mentioned licences). As long as |
| there is a lot of work available and it can be very | | | | you're willing and able anyone can forge a rewarding |
| lucrative. | | | | and enjoyable career in the transport industry. |