A Step-by-Step Guide To Assist You Hiring a Delivery Driver
If you own a takeaway business, you know that delivery is an increasingly important part of the equation. With the rise of food delivery apps and the increasing demand for convenience, customers expect to be able to have their favourite dishes brought right to their door.
So you’ve decided its time to get delivery driver, maybe you are setting up delivery for the first time, or you’ve been doing delivery but using your own staff to do it. Now’s the time to get a dedicated delivery driver.
Not only does having a dedicated delivery driver free up your other staff to focus on in-house tasks, but it also allows you to potentially expand your delivery radius and take on more orders. And with the right candidate, you can ensure that your customers are receiving their orders promptly, in excellent condition and with a smile.
Here's a step-by-step guide to assist you in hiring a delivery driver for your takeaway business.
Finding the Right Candidate
When it comes to hiring a delivery driver, you'll want to look for someone who is reliable, punctual, and has a clean driving record. You may also want to consider factors such as their level of experience and their familiarity with your local area.
There are a few different places you can look for potential candidates:
Your own network: Always start with people you know,it's likely someone in your network may be aware of others they might know.
Job boards: Many job seekers turn to online job boards to find opportunities, so consider posting a listing on a site like Indeed or Monster.
Social media: Share a post on your business's social media accounts or join relevant local groups to advertise the job opening.
Local classifieds: Check out your local newspaper or online classifieds for potential candidates.
Conducting Interviews
Once you have a list of potential candidates, it's time to start the interview process. There are a few key things you'll want to ask during the interview to get a sense of the candidate's suitability for the role:
Here are some example questions you can ask:
Do they have a valid driver's licence and a clean driving record?
Do they have any experience as a delivery driver?
How would they handle a situation where a customer is not satisfied with their order?
Do they have a reliable vehicle for making deliveries?
You may also want to ask the candidate to demonstrate their driving skills by having them take a short test drive with you. This can give you a sense of their ability to navigate unfamiliar routes and their overall driving ability.
Paying Your Drivers
There are a few common payment models to consider. For each option you may need a separate contract, such as an Employment Contract, Zero Hours Contract or any other contract suitable to your needs. We would recommended seeking legal advice when drawing up any contract.
We would recommended seeking legal advice when drawing up any contract.
Salary pay:
This model is typically used for full-time employees, with a set annual salary. This option can be suitable for a driver that will take care of other duties as well, like inventory stocking or keeping the vehicle clean, and not just the deliveries.
Hourly pay:
This model is straightforward, the driver is paid an hourly wage for the hours they work. This can be a good option if you want to ensure that your drivers are paid fairly for their time, regardless of how many deliveries they make. In the UK this must also be at the UK Minimum Wage.
Commission-based pay:
This model is based on the number of deliveries the driver makes. The driver will be given a set commission for each delivery they complete, regardless of the time it takes. This can be a good option if you want to incentivize your drivers to make as many deliveries as possible. This can be combined with hourly pay or can be the entire basis of the contract.
Per-delivery pay:
This model pays the driver for each delivery they complete. This can be a good option for businesses that do not have a consistent delivery schedule and prefer to pay drivers only when they complete deliveries.
Hybrid model:
Some businesses use a hybrid of two or more of these models, such as paying a base hourly wage and then offering a commission for each delivery. This could be a good option to keep drivers motivated while also ensuring they are paid a fair wage for their time.
Setting Salary Expectations:
When it comes to setting a salary for your delivery driver, there are a few factors to consider. First, think about the local cost of living and what other delivery drivers in your area are earning. You'll also want to take into account the candidate's level of experience and any additional skills they bring to the table.
It’s important to point out that in the UK you must pay at least minimum wage for all delivery drivers that are employed by you.
Insurance
As a business owner, it's important to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage in place to protect your business and your employees. This is especially important when it comes to delivery drivers, who will be operating a vehicle on behalf of your business.
There are a few different types of insurance you may need to consider for your delivery driver:
Car insurance
This is a legal requirement for all drivers in the UK. It covers the driver for any damage or injury caused to third parties in the event of an accident. Note it must cover Business Working and you may need to check the fine print or speak to the insurer to make sure the insurance covers your needs.
Goods in transit insurance
This type of insurance covers any damage or loss to the items being delivered, such as food items. It also covers any damage or loss to the delivery vehicle itself.
Public liability insurance
This type of insurance provides coverage in the event that a delivery driver is held liable for any injuries or damages caused to third parties while on the job. This can include coverage for accidents that occur while making deliveries, or for any injuries or illnesses caused by the delivered products.
Employers' liability insurance
If the delivery driver is an employee of the business, this type of insurance is mandatory in the UK. It covers any claims made by the employee for work-related injuries or illnesses.
It's important to note that different insurance policies have different coverage limits, and it's a good idea to shop around and compare different policies to find one that meets the specific needs of your business.
It's important to note that different insurance policies have different coverage limits, and it's a good idea to shop around and compare different policies to find one that meets the specific needs of your business.
It is also crucial to ensure that your chosen insurance provider is able to provide coverage for the specific type of deliveries you will be doing, for example, if you are using a scooter or a moped, you may require a different coverage.
Onboarding
Once you've found the perfect candidate and taken care of the necessary insurance requirements, it's time to onboard and train your new delivery driver.
Here are a few things to include in the onboarding process:
Customer Service
Delivery drivers are not just drivers. They are the face of your brand when your customer receives food. Explain how you would like them to greet the customer, a smile and a thank you for ordering goes a very long way.
Explain how you would like them to greet the customer, a smile and a thank you for ordering goes a very long way.
Delivery Operations
Show your drivers the process of how to handle a delivery. Make sure they know how to accept or receive an order and find the delivery address, before safely making the delivery.
Provide training on any routing software or other tools you use for managing deliveries.
A review of safety protocols and best practices for handling food and making deliveries
It's also a good idea to have your new delivery driver shadow an experienced team member for a few deliveries before they start making deliveries on their own. This will give them an opportunity to see firsthand how the process works and ask any questions they may have.
Managing the Delivery Team
Once you've hired your delivery driver and gotten them up to speed, it's important to set clear expectations and goals for the team. This can include things like delivery times, customer service standards, and any other performance metrics you want to track.
It's also a good idea to regularly check in with your delivery driver and provide feedback on their performance. This can help to identify any areas where they may need additional support or training and ensure that they are meeting the expectations you've set for the team.
Get Started
So with your driver in place you are ready to get started and get going on your journey of self fulfilled delivery.
Conclusion
Hiring a dedicated delivery driver can be a game-changer for your takeaway business. Not only does it free up your existing staff to focus on other tasks, but it also allows you to potentially expand your delivery radius and take on more orders. By following the steps outlined above, you can find and hire the perfect candidate to join your team and help your business succeed.
Please note this guide is not a complete and legal guide on how to hire a delivery driver, it is a list of ideas and suggestions to consider, please make sure you take all and any appropriate advise and legal advice before embarking on this journey.