Courier

Tasks & duties

Couriers may do some or all of the following:

• deliver items to and collect items from businesses or private homes
• confirm the deliveries and collections with the depot by radio telephone or pager
• unload and sort collected items
• unload goods from large trucks and load them into smaller delivery vans
• check the daily goods consignment
• sort the delivery notes into order of delivery
• load the vehicle with the listed goods
• scan the goods
• ensure goods are loaded in the correct position in the truck, and take the correct precautions with hazardous goods
• plan which route to take to deliver goods in the most efficient way, and drive the route
• collect other goods on the delivery route
• keep a record of deliveries made
• receive payment on delivery of the goods or arrange for accounts to be settled
• keep their vehicle or bicycle clean and in good working order

Specialisations

Some couriers specialise in delivering and setting up office and/or computer equipment.

Skills & knowledge

Couriers need to have:

• excellent driving or cycling skills
• knowledge of the area they work in, including the names of buildings and streets
• knowledge of the Road Code, defensive-driving techniques and transport regulations
• the ability to identify when goods look unusual or are damaged
• knowledge of how to handle hazardous goods
• the ability to keep track of deliveries
• knowledge of different methods of securing, packing and taking care of loads, including knot tying
• an ability to read maps and find their way to new locations easily
• communication skills for dealing with clients

Entry requirements

To become a courier you need to own your own vehicle and have a current driver's licence, a dangerous goods (D) endorsement and a goods service licence.

To become a bicycle courier you need to own your own bicycle, helmet and puncture repair kit.

Further information on driver licensing is available from Land Transport New Zealand, who also provide a list of Approved Courses for Occupational Drivers.

Tertiary education

Courier drivers can attain a National Certificate in Commercial Road Transport (Courier Driver) with strands in Urgent Operations. This can be attained through the industry training organisation Tranzqual.

Training on the job

Couriers are trained on the job to become familiar with the route they work on. They are also trained in the methods of loading and unloading and may learn to drive a fork-lift. Training usually takes about a week.

Industry sources say a good way to gain an insight into being a courier driver is to accompany a courier on their round or to work as a relief driver. Relief drivers are contracted by the couriers themselves and fill in when the regular driver is sick or on leave. 

Useful experience

Useful experience for couriers includes taxi driving, work in the freight industry, or any work that involves driving. For school leavers, having done a newspaper run or any other delivery work is useful.

For more information, please refer to Career Services.