Today we’re bringing you a unique perspective on delivery, being a UPS personal vehicle driver.
RSG contributor Chonce Maddox-Rhea shares how rideshare driver Donald got started as a driver-helper with UPS below.
UPS Personal Vehicle Driver
If you’re a part-time rideshare driver or drive full-time and keep your options open, it’s not uncommon that you may have looked into other flexible ways to make money.
Driving for Uber or Lyft gives you that benefit since you can basically set your own hours.
I personally love hearing from drivers who are experimenting with other income ideas, whether it’s Amazon Flex or delivering for DoorDash.
Wondering what your life outside of rideshare driving can look like?
I recently talked with an Uber driver and RSG reader named Donald, who started working for UPS (United Parcel Service) as a seasonal package deliverer in December of 2019.
Donald has been driving for Uber part-time in the Philadelphia area for several years now.
In this interview, we’ll cover how Donald learned about this gig, what his typical earnings are like, and how other rideshare drivers can benefit from this gig.
What Does a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver Do?
Wondering how a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver works?
As a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver, you’ll make deliveries for the UPS in your own vehicle. According to UPS, it’s a:
Fast-paced, physical position that gets you outdoors and connecting with customers.
Last holiday season, Donald overheard someone talking about UPS job opportunities. They mentioned how UPS often hires ‘driver helpers’ to assist the main driver with package deliveries throughout the day.
Donald knew there was a UPS hub close to his home, so he decided to apply.
He went to an interview for the warehouse job position and found out they require you to be able to lift up to 70 lbs. While this wasn’t an issue for Donald, it is something to be aware of.
In general, these driver helpers are expected to make around $21 per hour and require training before they can get started.
UPS Personal Vehicle Driver Requirements
Donald applied to become a seasonal UPS Personal Vehicle Package Deliverer before Thanksgiving and started training.
In order to apply you need to meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a clean and valid driver’s license
- No at-fault accidents within the last three years
- No moving violations within the past 12 months
- Have minimum state-required auto insurance
- Have a vehicle with no company logos, markings, bumper stickers, political stickers, or offensive warnings
- Be able to lift, lower, and carry packages up to 70 pounds
“UPS provides a phone and uniform, but it’s also important that you have good shoes to work in. The training was about 5 hours and it was pretty intense but it was great to get it done upfront. It’s very detailed and they go over everything you need to learn for the job.
There were also 2 hours of additional online training that I had to take. You do have a ride-along that comes with you on the first day to evaluate how you’re doing.
The one thing I wished training would have covered in more detail is how to organize your car and sort the packages so you can deliver them quickly. The brown UPS trucks have shelves in them which makes grabbing and delivering packages convenient.
Ideally, you want to stack the packages in your car according to your route and in the order of which addresses you’ll be delivering to.”
UPS Personal Vehicle Driver Sign-Up Process
Becoming a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver starts with a search at the UPS website for a PVD job in your city.
Find a job in your city (some jobs will be seasonal whereas others are full-time), and begin the sign-up process.
From there, you’ll click apply now. You’ll have to register for a UPS account in order to apply, but from there you’ll only need to answer a few qualifying questions and complete a short online application.
Once everything is submitted, you will be contacted by a UPS team member for an interview.
Approaching the holiday season, UPS Personal Vehicle Drivers hired during this time of year reported being contacted quickly, having an easy interview process, and fairly quick hiring/onboarding.
UPS Personal Vehicle Driver Pay
Donald worked during the holiday season for about 13 days including Saturdays and made about $21 per hour.
You may see UPS advertisements that you can earn up to $30 per hour, but that is only in one of their markets, so just keep that in mind.
Since the work is more physical, shifts aren’t super long but it all depends on how many deliveries you have for the day.
Donald delivered anywhere from 80 to 140 packages per day and worked 6-9 hour shifts on average.
Related:
Does UPS Hire Year-Round or Only During the Holidays?
Donald’s particular position was seasonal. Delivery volume always spikes around the holidays but with some companies like UPS and Amazon, it’s getting to the point where they barely have enough vehicles to keep up with demand year-round.
Overall, while Donald was hired during a specific rush, you should keep an eye out for these types of driver-helper positions year-round.
Donald liked this gig in particular since he could deliver for UPS using his own vehicle and had guaranteed pay plus mileage.
Overall, Donald had this to say about the gig:
“I would definitely like to do this job again and wouldn’t even mind becoming a regular UPS driver one day – although to do this, you need to work in the warehouse for about 9 months.”
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Flexible Schedule: You can choose your own working hours, which is perfect for those who have other commitments or simply prefer to work at specific times of the day.
- Good Pay: UPS Personal Vehicle Drivers are paid well for their services, with an average hourly wage of around $20.
- Physical Activity: If you enjoy physical activity, then this job is perfect for you. You will be on your feet for most of the day, lifting and carrying packages, which is a great way to stay in shape.
Cons
- Physical Demands: This job can be physically demanding, with a lot of lifting and carrying involved. You will need to be in good physical condition to keep up with the demands of the job.
- Vehicle Maintenance: As a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver, you are responsible for maintaining your own vehicle. This can be costly and time-consuming, especially if your vehicle breaks down or needs repairs.
- Weather Conditions: You will need to work in all weather conditions, which can be challenging. This includes driving in heavy rain, snow, and extreme temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to become a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver?
To become a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver, you must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and a reliable vehicle. You will also need to pass a background check and drug test.
How much does a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver make?
UPS Personal Vehicle Drivers can make an average hourly wage of around $20.
Is being a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver a full-time job?
No, being a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver is typically a part-time, seasonal job.
What are the working hours for a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver?
The working hours for a UPS Personal Vehicle Driver are flexible and can be chosen by the driver. However, you will need to work for several hours each day, often including weekends and holidays.
Overall Thoughts on Driving for UPS Instead of Uber
Donald focused solely on the UPS job at the time since it was seasonal and rigorous work. However, he does think that with the flexibility of driving for Uber and Lyft, someone can balance both.
He shared this piece of advice for drivers looking to drive for UPS and Uber/Lyft:
“With UPS personal delivery driver shifts as short as 6 hours, you can simply schedule your rideshare driving around that time. You may need to change your strategy up a bit, but I typically drive for Uber more than 20 hours per week and do some handyman work on the side as well so there’s still plenty of room for another income stream.”
Right now, Donald is looking into getting a census job as he continues to search for and try out lucrative work opportunities that he can do alongside driving for Uber.
Are you a driver who’s also working toward pursuing a side business, other gig work, or even learning a new skill that will allow you to break into a different career field? Have questions for Donald about working for UPS? Sound off in the comments!
