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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Lot Driver

💰 $ - $

TransportationLogisticsAutomotive

🎯 Role Definition

The Lot Driver is responsible for safely and efficiently transporting, parking, and preparing vehicles across dealership lots, service centers, rental facilities, and auction yards. This role requires exceptional driving skills, strong attention to vehicle condition and documentation, excellent customer service when interfacing with clients or service teams, and a consistent focus on safety and lot organization. Common job titles: Lot Driver, Automotive Lot Driver, Shuttle Driver, Vehicle Porter, Fleet Driver, Lot Attendant.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Valet Attendant or Parking Attendant
  • Vehicle Porter or Lot Attendant
  • Delivery Driver, Shuttle Driver, or Courier

Advancement To:

  • Fleet Supervisor / Lot Supervisor
  • Logistics Coordinator / Routing Specialist
  • Service Lot Manager / Operations Supervisor

Lateral Moves:

  • Vehicle Detailer / Prep Technician
  • Tow Truck Operator or Flatbed Driver

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Safely shuttle, drive and reposition vehicles between dealership lots, service bays, customer delivery areas, rental branches, auction facilities and storage yards while adhering to all company and traffic safety policies.
  • Conduct thorough pre- and post-trip inspections of each vehicle transported, documenting dents, scratches, tire condition, fluid leaks and other defects using handheld devices, photos and written logs to maintain accurate condition records.
  • Start, warm, and test-drive vehicles for short distances to confirm roadworthiness, brakes, lights and steering prior to customer delivery or service completion, reporting any concerns immediately to the service advisor or lot supervisor.
  • Fuel vehicles or document fuel levels, perform basic battery jump-starts and battery charging, and coordinate minor maintenance such as topping off fluids and inflating tires within established scope of responsibility.
  • Receive, organize and manage keys and key control systems; maintain secure key cabinets and logs to prevent loss and ensure rapid vehicle retrieval for sales, service and delivery appointments.
  • Park and stage vehicles in assigned locations to optimize lot capacity and ensure high-visibility placement for sales inventory, including rotating stock to meet merchandising or inspection schedules.
  • Load and secure vehicles onto flatbeds or dollies (where trained and authorized) for off-site transport, auctions or towing to service facilities while following manufacturer and employer safety procedures.
  • Accurately log mileage, vehicle identification numbers (VIN), odometer readings and job-related notes into dealership management systems, mobile apps or daily manifests for inventory control and billing purposes.
  • Receive and verify vehicle deliveries from auctions, transport carriers or trade-ins; perform intake inspections, capture photos and update inventory records promptly and accurately.
  • Assist service technicians by delivering vehicles to wash/detail, positioning cars on lifts or in service bays, and removing completed vehicles to customer holding areas in a timely manner.
  • Communicate proactively with sales, service advisors and lot management about vehicle readiness, customer pick-ups, and any damage or operational issues that could affect delivery timelines.
  • Follow all company safety policies, wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), and participate in daily safety briefings, vehicle handling training and defensive driving sessions.
  • Maintain lot cleanliness and organization by sweeping, clearing debris, moving cones and signage, and ensuring pedestrian and vehicle pathways are unobstructed to reduce trip hazards and avoid damage.
  • Perform scheduled and ad-hoc lot inventory counts, reconcile discrepancies between physical inventory and DMS/stock records, and escalate persistent mismatches for investigation.
  • Assist with customer vehicle delivery and acceptances by walking buyers through exterior/interior condition, demonstrating basic vehicle functions, and documenting signatures and delivery paperwork as required.
  • Operate handheld scanners, tablets, or mobile apps to update vehicle status, location and inspection photos in real-time to support inventory accuracy and improve operational throughput.
  • Support peak-period operations—such as weekend sales events, new vehicle drops or seasonal turn-ins—by working flexible shifts, assisting with vehicle staging and providing rapid vehicle movement across multiple sites.
  • Respond to after-hours or emergency vehicle requests (when on-call), such as battery jump starts or secure parking arrangements, maintaining composure and following escalation protocols.
  • Comply with regulatory requirements including local traffic laws and, where applicable, Department of Transportation (DOT) or employer driving policies; maintain proper licensing and endorsements for assigned vehicles.
  • Participate in continuous improvement by suggesting lot layout adjustments, parking flow changes and vehicle handling best practices that increase efficiency, reduce damage and improve customer satisfaction.
  • Track and report minor damage incidents, near-misses and property damage thoroughly and promptly, participating in root-cause analysis and corrective actions when requested by management.
  • Train and mentor new lot drivers and porters on safe vehicle handling, lot procedures, key control, and company expectations to ensure consistent service levels across shifts.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist vehicle detailers with preparation tasks such as hand-wiping, removing personal items, and prepping vehicles for presentation or transport.
  • Support administrative staff by photocopying/shipping keys, organizing delivery folders, and preparing lot transfer documentation for auction or offsite deliveries.
  • Help maintain basic tools and equipment (battery chargers, tire inflators, jacks) in serviceable condition and report broken items for repair or replacement.
  • Provide courteous and professional customer interactions when handing over vehicles, answering basic questions about vehicle features, and directing customers to sales or service representatives.
  • Participate in cross-functional projects such as lot reconfiguration, inventory cleanups, and seasonal inventory moves to support dealership or branch objectives.
  • Perform light custodial duties in vehicle holding areas, including trash removal and moderate pressure washing of lot surfaces when needed.
  • Support inventory onboarding by assisting with vehicle tagging, sticker placement, and photographing vehicles for online inventory listings.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to meet employer-specific driving standards (motor vehicle reports required).
  • Proven experience operating both automatic and manual transmission vehicles, including short test drives and multi-point staging.
  • Proficiency with mobile inspection apps, handheld scanners, tablet-based inventory systems, and taking high-quality vehicle photos for records and online listings.
  • Knowledge of basic vehicle systems (battery, tires, lights, fluids) to perform pre/post-trip checks and identify issues for service referral.
  • Familiarity with key control systems and secure key cabinet management to maintain accountability and prevent loss.
  • Experience loading and securing vehicles on transport dollies or flatbeds when trained and certified to do so.
  • Ability to accurately read and record VINs, odometer readings, delivery manifests and dealership management system (DMS) entries.
  • Understanding of DOT and local transportation regulations where applicable, and experience following company-mandated safety and compliance standards.
  • Basic mechanical aptitude for jump-starting batteries, inflating tires, changing light bulbs and recognizing signs that require technician attention.
  • Competence in staging and rotating inventory to support merchandising strategies and improve delivery lead times.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and observational skills to detect and document vehicle damage or operational concerns.
  • Excellent time management and organizational abilities to prioritize vehicle moves, service pickups, and customer deliveries in a high-volume lot.
  • Clear communication and teamwork skills to coordinate with service advisors, sales staff, lot supervisors and transportation partners.
  • Customer-focused attitude with professional demeanor when interacting with buyers, renters and service customers.
  • Ability to remain calm and decisive during peak periods or when responding to last-minute vehicle requests.
  • Problem-solving mindset to address vehicle access issues, key discrepancies or staging conflicts with practical solutions.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to work varied shifts, holidays or weekends during high-demand sales and service cycles.
  • Dependability and punctuality—consistent attendance is critical to maintaining lot flow and supporting cross-functional operations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Vocational training or certificate in automotive technology, vehicle detailing, or transportation management (helpful but not required).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Automotive Technology
  • Logistics / Supply Chain
  • Transportation Management
  • Fleet Maintenance / Operations

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years for entry-level lot driver roles; 1–5 years for roles requiring more independence or responsibility.

Preferred:

  • 1–3+ years of hands-on experience operating and staging vehicles in dealership, rental, auction, or fleet environments; prior experience with key control and inventory systems is a plus.
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