Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for AZ Driver

🎯 Role Definition

An AZ Driver is a licensed heavy vehicle operator responsible for safely operating articulated and rigid heavy goods vehicles (AZ licence or equivalent), managing cargo handling and securement, performing statutory vehicle checks, maintaining accurate logbooks and electronic driver records (ELD), and delivering customer-focused service across local, regional, or long-haul transport operations. The AZ Driver ensures compliance with road transport regulations, supports fleet efficiency and uptime through basic maintenance and clear reporting, and represents the company at customer sites and terminals.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse operative / picker-packer transitioning to driving duties
Van or light goods delivery driver (Class C) progressing to heavy vehicle licence
Driver's mate / yard assistant gaining driving experience

Advancement To:

Lead AZ Driver / Master Driver
Driver Trainer or Driver Assessor
Fleet Supervisor or Transport Supervisor
Route Manager / Logistics Planner
Operations Manager / Transport Manager

Lateral Moves:

Dispatcher / Transport Coordinator
Freight Handler / Yard Manager
Vehicle Maintenance Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely operate AZ-licenced heavy goods vehicles (rigid and articulated) across local, regional, and long-haul routes, adapting driving style to weather, road conditions, and load characteristics to minimize risk and maximize on-time delivery performance.
Perform comprehensive pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, identify defects or safety issues (brakes, lights, tyres, coupling), document findings in inspection reports, and escalate faults to maintenance teams to maintain fleet roadworthiness.
Secure, load, and unload freight using correct load restraint techniques, tarping methods, straps and chains, ensuring cargo complies with weight distribution, legal axle limits and company SOPs to prevent shift or damage in transit.
Complete and maintain accurate driver records, paperwork and electronic logs, including proof of delivery (POD), consignment notes, bills of lading, and ELD/HOS entries in accordance with regulatory requirements and company policy.
Comply with hours-of-service (HOS) and rest-break regulations, manage electronic logging device (ELD) entries, and coordinate with dispatch to plan routes that meet legal limits and customer service commitments.
Follow all applicable transport laws, ADR/HAZMAT rules (if authorised), local permits, weight restrictions, and border-crossing documentation for international/regional movements, ensuring regulatory compliance at all times.
Maintain professional communication with dispatch, traffic planners and operations teams via phone, radio or fleet telematics, proactively reporting delays, traffic incidents, or delivery issues and re-routing as required.
Provide professional customer service during loading, delivery, and site interactions, representing the company with courtesy, timely updates, and accurate handling of customer signatures, exceptions and damage claims.
Use GPS, routing software and paper maps to plan efficient routes, identify low bridges, restricted roads or unsuitable access for large vehicles, and liaise with planners to update estimated arrival times (ETAs).
Conduct safe coupling and uncoupling procedures for trailers, check air brake systems, electrical connections and safety chains, and perform routine checks on refrigeration units or specialist equipment when assigned.
Manage fuel usage and fuel card transactions responsibly, monitor vehicle fuel efficiency, refuel at approved sites and follow company policies to control operating costs.
Attend compulsory safety briefings, refresher training, and licence revalidation programs; maintain required endorsements such as HAZMAT, ADR, Tacho or CMR where necessary for specialised loads.
Respond to on-road incidents, breakdowns or accidents by following company emergency procedures, securing the scene where safe, exchanging necessary information, and completing accident/incident reports promptly.
Load and secure palletised freight using pallet jacks or tail lifts where applicable, assist customers with wheeling and positioning cargo as required by site rules and health & safety regulations.
Operate tail-lifts, forklifts or other vehicle-mounted equipment safely and in accordance with current certifications, ensuring equipment checks are completed before use and any defects are reported.
Conduct basic vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting (fluid checks, tyre pressures, minor repairs) within the scope of driver responsibilities to prevent roadside failures and prolong vehicle uptime.
Adhere to company health and safety policies, wear required PPE, and participate in toolbox talks and safety audits to promote a safety-first culture across the transport operation.
Manage time effectively to meet windows and appointment times, perform driver handovers at shift changes, and support team-oriented scheduling to optimize fleet utilisation.
Complete load manifests, hazardous goods declarations and COSHH documentation when transporting controlled or hazardous materials, ensuring proper placarding and securement.
Support warehouse staff with yard movements, shunting and docking procedures while applying safe reversing and spotting techniques to prevent damage to property and cargo.
Keep vehicles clean, tidy and presentable for customer-facing operations and routine inspections, maintaining a professional appearance and safeguarding company reputation.
Mentor junior drivers and driver assistants by sharing best practices for safe driving, vehicle checks, securement techniques and customer service standards, contributing to continuous skills development within the team.

Secondary Functions

Collaborate with dispatch and logistics teams to provide real-time status updates, exception reports and post-delivery confirmations that support accurate invoicing and customer satisfaction metrics.
Support ad-hoc operational tasks such as inventory checks at depots, assisting with yard organization, and participating in seasonal peak activities (e.g., holiday distribution surges).
Contribute practical feedback on route planning, vehicle suitability and equipment needs to help optimize fleet utilization and reduce empty miles.
Participate in continuous improvement meetings and safety reviews, offering frontline insights to improve procedures, reduce risks, and enhance delivery reliability.
Assist with regulatory audits, driver file updates, tachograph downloads and administrative tasks to ensure driver records are current and compliant.
Provide input on training needs and help shape on-the-job training materials for new AZ Drivers based on real-world experiences and common operational challenges.
Help implement telematics and fuel-efficiency initiatives by following recommended eco-driving techniques and reporting anomalies in vehicle performance.
Support emergency planning and business continuity exercises by participating in simulated disruption scenarios and providing practical operational input.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid AZ driving licence or equivalent heavy vehicle licence (Class A/CDL-A) with current endorsements where applicable.
Proven competence in pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, fault reporting and basic mechanical checks (brakes, lights, tyres, coupling systems).
Experience using electronic logging devices (ELDs), digital tachographs and completing compliant hours-of-service records.
Cargo securement expertise including load restraint methods, use of straps/chains, pallet securement and understanding of weight distribution and axle limits.
Competence operating tail lifts, pallet jacks and loading equipment; forklift certification preferred where required by role.
Familiarity with health & safety regulations, ADR/HAZMAT handling procedures (where applicable), dangerous goods documentation and safe handling practises.
Professional use of GPS, routing and telematics systems, mobile apps for navigation, job management and customer updates.
Ability to complete and interpret consignment notes, PODs, delivery receipts, bills of lading and fuel card transaction records accurately.
Basic mechanical troubleshooting and preventative maintenance skills to identify and mitigate common vehicle faults.
Knowledge of vehicle roadworthiness legislation, compliance documentation, and procedures for reporting incidents and defects.
Competency in time management and route planning to optimize delivery schedules and reduce empty running.
Experience communicating professionally with customers, site personnel and dispatch in high-pressure, time-sensitive situations.

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset with consistent attention to detail and adherence to procedures.
Excellent reliability, punctuality and personal accountability for tasks and schedules.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for customer interactions and accurate reporting.
Problem-solving and decision-making skills for on-road incidents, delays and delivery exceptions.
Customer service orientation with empathy, patience and professional presentation.
Adaptability to changing schedules, traffic conditions and urgent reroutes.
Team player attitude, willing to mentor colleagues and support warehouse or operations staff when needed.
Resilience under pressure and ability to remain calm during incidents or stressful delivery windows.
Good organizational skills and the ability to manage paperwork and digital records efficiently.
Proactive approach to continuous improvement and willingness to suggest operational efficiencies.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Secondary school completion (GCSEs, O-levels or equivalent) or high school diploma; basic literacy and numeracy required.

Preferred Education:

Completion of an accredited professional driving course or vocational training for heavy vehicle operation.
Certifications: Forklift operator certificate, ADR/HAZMAT endorsement, Driver CPC (where applicable).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Commercial Driving / Heavy Vehicle Operation
Logistics and Supply Chain
Automotive Mechanics / Vehicle Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5+ years driving experience in commercial heavy goods vehicles; entry-level roles may accept trainees with AZ licence and supervised experience.

Preferred:

2+ years of AZ-licenced driving with demonstrable track record of safe driving, on-time delivery performance, and experience with long-haul or regional freight operations. Clean driving record and references from previous transport employers preferred.