Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for G Driver

🎯 Role Definition

The G Driver is a licensed, safety-focused professional responsible for operating company vehicles under a valid G (or equivalent) driver's license to transport goods, materials, or passengers. This role prioritizes on-time delivery, vehicle upkeep, compliance with traffic and company policies, superior customer service, and clear communication with dispatch and operations. G Drivers support business continuity by planning efficient routes, maintaining accurate logs and records (paper or electronic), performing inspections, and representing the organization at customer sites.

Key SEO keywords: G Driver, G-class driver, licensed driver, delivery driver, fleet driver, route driver, vehicle inspections, defensive driving, driver logs, GPS navigation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Delivery Driver / Courier
Driver Helper / Route Assistant
Warehouse Associate or Material Handler

Advancement To:

Senior Driver / Lead Driver
Fleet Supervisor or Lead Dispatcher
Logistics Coordinator / Route Planner
Transportation or Operations Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

Customer Service / Account Support for logistics customers
Vehicle Maintenance Technician or Fleet Maintenance Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate company vehicles safely and professionally at all times, adhering to traffic laws, local regulations, and company policies while maintaining a clean driving record and demonstrating defensive driving techniques.
Complete accurate pre-trip, en-route and post-trip vehicle inspections, document defects or damage, and coordinate timely repairs or maintenance to ensure vehicle safety and reliability.
Plan and follow the most efficient delivery or service routes using GPS, route optimization tools and local knowledge to meet on-time performance targets and minimize fuel consumption.
Load, secure, transport and unload cargo and equipment safely using proper load securement methods, straps, tarps and pallets to prevent damage and protect public safety.
Accurately complete required transportation documentation, including bills of lading, delivery manifests, customer signatures, electronic proof-of-delivery (POD) and daily vehicle logs.
Maintain compliance with hours-of-service rules, electronic logging device (ELD) requirements and company shift reporting procedures to manage fatigue and legal limits.
Communicate proactively with dispatch, operations and customers regarding ETA changes, delivery exceptions, delays, and damage claims to ensure timely resolution and excellent customer service.
Provide courteous, professional on-site customer interactions, obtaining signatures, answering basic questions about deliveries or services, and escalating service issues when needed.
Collect, account for and safely handle payments, COD transactions or returned merchandise in accordance with company cash-handling and POS procedures.
Perform light vehicle maintenance tasks such as checking oil, coolant, tire pressure, lights and fluid levels and report any mechanical issues or safety concerns to the fleet team.
Secure loads and operate vehicle equipment including lift gates, pallet jacks, hand trucks and cargo restraints according to manufacturer guidelines and company safe work practices.
Adhere to company safety programs, wear required PPE, participate in safety meetings and complete training modules on defensive driving, manual handling and hazardous materials handling as applicable.
Follow hazardous materials (HAZMAT) handling and placarding procedures when transporting restricted goods; ensure proper documentation and segregation when required.
Assist with inventory verification at pick-up and delivery points by matching shipment contents to packing lists, manifests and purchase orders.
Support interdepartmental coordination by providing timely status updates, completing incident and exception reports and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives for route efficiency.
Execute scheduled residential or commercial deliveries and pickups, adapting to restricted access sites, appointment windows and diverse customer requirements while maintaining a professional image.
Report accidents, traffic violations, damage and near-miss incidents immediately, complete required incident reporting and cooperate with investigations to minimize liability and improve safety.
Ensure cleanliness and basic sanitation of the vehicle interior and exterior to reflect company standards and promote a professional brand presence.
Use mobile devices, handhelds or in-cab tablets to receive assignments, update delivery statuses and communicate with dispatch; maintain competency in relevant apps and telematics systems.
Lift, carry and move packages and equipment safely using proper body mechanics, meet physical demands of the role (frequent lifting up to company-specified limits) and request assistance when required.
Monitor fuel usage and report fueling information, obtain fuel cards or receipts, and optimize refuelling stops to support cost control and route continuity.
Conduct site-specific safety assessments at customer locations and apply situational awareness to avoid hazards when accessing docks, stairways, alleys and private properties.
Participate in on-the-job training, mentoring of new drivers and occasional cross-functional tasks such as assisting in the warehouse or with special customer installations.
Maintain professional documentation for vehicle registration, insurance, certifications and a valid G-class license, and comply with background checks, drug and alcohol screening as required.
Implement company sustainability initiatives while driving by minimizing idling, following eco-driving best practices and suggesting route or load consolidation improvements.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis related to route performance, fuel consumption and delivery timeliness by providing accurate logs and feedback.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by sharing operational insights and suggestions for telematics or routing tool improvements.
Collaborate with business units to translate field data and driver needs into engineering or software requirements for routing, dispatch and telematics systems.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team when engaged in technology pilots or product rollouts affecting drivers.
Assist with pilot programs for new hardware or software (e.g., ELDs, routing apps), provide field testing feedback and help refine user requirements.
Provide input to HR and training teams on driver onboarding, policy clarity and training materials to improve operational readiness for new hires.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid G-class driver's license (or equivalent full license) in good standing — required.
Proven experience with GPS navigation, route planning and route optimization tools (e.g., Google Maps, Waze, route-planning software).
Experience operating company vehicles, cargo vans, box trucks or similar medium-duty vehicles; familiarity with lift-gates and pallet equipment.
Knowledge of vehicle pre-trip and post-trip inspection procedures and basic mechanical troubleshooting.
Proficiency with electronic logging devices (ELDs), handheld delivery scanners, mobile apps and basic vehicle telematics.
Ability to complete accurate delivery documentation: PODs, bills of lading, manifests and exception reports.
Understanding of hours-of-service rules, local transportation regulations and basic HAZMAT/placarding requirements where applicable.
Safe load securement techniques and cargo handling best practices (strapping, blocking, bracing).
Basic cash handling and POS transaction processing for COD deliveries and returns.
Ability to perform routine vehicle maintenance checks (oil, coolant, tire pressure, lights) and arrange repairs through fleet services.

Soft Skills

Strong customer service orientation with effective interpersonal skills and professional presentation.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for interacting with dispatch, customers and management.
Time management and organizational skills to meet tight delivery windows and multi-stop route requirements.
Problem-solving and adaptability for addressing route changes, traffic delays and unexpected delivery exceptions.
High level of reliability, punctuality and accountability; strong attendance and respect for scheduled shifts.
Teamwork and collaboration skills to work with operations, warehouse staff and other drivers.
Attention to detail to ensure correct deliveries, documentation and fuel / mileage reporting.
Safety-first mindset and willingness to follow procedures and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
Initiative and resourcefulness when managing on-route issues and customer escalations.
Resilience and physical stamina to meet job demands including lifting, repeated stops and variable weather conditions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent (GED) preferred.

Preferred Education:

Post-secondary certificate in logistics, transportation or related vocational training considered an asset.
Additional certifications such as defensive driving, forklift or lift-gate operation are beneficial.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain
Transportation Management
Automotive or Heavy Equipment Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years of professional driving experience; recent route/delivery driving experience strongly preferred.

Preferred:

2+ years delivering for courier, parcel, retail logistics or B2B operations; prior experience with route optimization tools and ELDs is a strong advantage.
Clean driving record with no major violations; prior experience in a customer-facing delivery role and experience handling COD/returns preferred.