Do I need a special licence to drive a van?

For most vans up to 3.5 tonnes, a standard category B licence is enough. For larger vehicles you need a different category, so check the advert.

Do I need my own van?

Some self-employed courier roles do, but most van driver jobs provide a company van. Read the advert and say clearly if you have your own vehicle and insurance.

How do I show that I am a good driver?

Mention a clean licence, daily checks, safe driving habits and how you plan journeys to avoid delays.

Van driver CV example

A strong van driver CV shows a clean licence, safe driving, sensible route planning and polite customer service at the door. It should mention the vans and loads you have handled, your daily checks and the hours you can work.

Marcus Hill

Van driver

Profile

Reliable van driver with four years of experience making scheduled deliveries across a large urban area. Holds a full UK driving licence with a clean record, plans efficient routes and checks the vehicle every day. Polite with customers and careful with parcels, furniture and stock.

Experience

Van Driver

a furniture and appliance delivery company

Delivered to around 12 homes a day across a 40-mile area in a long-wheelbase van

Planned the drop order from the route sheet to meet customers' delivery time slots

Loaded and secured furniture and appliances, working with a colleague on heavy items

Protected customers' homes with floor covers and checked items with the customer before leaving

Scanned each delivery, collected signatures and reported any problems to the depot

Delivery Driver

a local wholesale bakery

Delivered fresh bread and cakes to 25 shops and cafés before 7am

Checked orders against delivery notes and reported any shortages

Completed a daily checklist covering tyres, lights and fluids, and kept the van clean

Passed invoices and payments to the office at the end of each round

Thank you for reading

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Tips for a van driver CV

Put your licence type and points status near the top, since employers check it
Name the type of van, such as a Luton or long wheelbase, and what you delivered
Show that you plan routes and time slots, not just drive
Mention any experience with handheld scanners or delivery apps
Include your customer service style, since drivers are often the only person a customer meets
List your early, late and weekend availability

Applying with a cover letter? See our van driver cover letter example.