If you are seeking to become a UPS driver, then it is important to know that there are qualifications you will be expected to fulfill to be approved for the job.
The types of qualifications you are expected to meet usually vary and depend on the specific UPS driving position you are applying to, such as local delivery driver, tractor-trailer driver, seasonal support driver, etc., and the country or regional requirements.
This post provides detailed information on the UPS driver qualifications, including educational, certification, skills, knowledge, and experience, to help you to better prepare for a driving career with the company and improve your chances of being employed.
UPS Driver Educational Qualifications
The standard educational qualification to work as a UPS driver is a High School Diploma or GED.
This covers all UPS transport divisions, including local delivery, tractor-trailer, and seasonal support.
However, candidates that have completed a technical or vocational training program and have taken courses in logistics, vehicle maintenance, driving safety, or occupational health/safety can have an advantage over those without one in the hiring process, even though this is not a mandatory requirement.
A UPS driver is not required to have a university or college degree, or to complete a post-secondary educational program.
This may only be required in a situation where the driver is transitioning their career, which is rare.
UPS Certification and License Qualifications
To be qualified for different driving roles at UPS, you’ll be expected to meet certain certification and licensing requirements, including:
Safety Certifications
Some UPS divisions or departments may require or prefer candidates for a driving position to take a course and obtain certification in safety, defensive driving, accident prevention, or hazardous materials handling (if applicable).
Training Certifications
UPS has its own training programs (such as “Integrad”) for drivers to learn company procedures, route optimization, safe entry/exit of vehicles, etc.
By completing this program and obtaining a certification, you will have an advantage getting the driving job you are seeking over other candidates.
Forklift/Material Handling Certification
This certification might be relevant for roles that combine driving with loading/unloading heavy cargo in warehouses or terminals.
Medical/Health Certifications
To become a UPS driver, you may be expected to pass a medical or health exam and obtain a certification, including:
- Commercial Driver Medical Exam/DOT Physical
UPS often requires passing a medical examination consistent with the Department of Transportation (DOT) standards (or equivalent in non-U.S. jurisdictions) to ensure you are physically fit to drive, handle cargo, etc.
- Vision/Hearing Tests
Also, drivers typically must meet minimum vision and hearing standards (correctable vision and ability to hear traffic signals).
Drug & Alcohol Testing/Background Checks
If you are applying to work in a safety-sensitive role at UPS, you will be required to pass pre-employment drug screenings and background checks (e.g. driving record and criminal history).
Licenses
At UPS, having a driver’s license is critical for different types of driving roles. Below is a breakdown of the license you need to drive a vehicle at the company:
- Valid Non-commercial Driver’s License
For local package delivery roles, UPS generally requires a valid driver’s license (non-commercial) that is appropriate for the vehicle class (car or light van).
A commercial driver’s license (CDL) is usually not required for standard package delivery in many locations.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
A commercial driver’s license is needed when the role involves driving large trucks or tractor-trailers (linehaul, freight, and long haul).
In those cases, a CDL and possibly endorsements (e.g. for air brakes, doubles/triples) are required.
UPS Skills Qualifications
To be effective working as a driver at UPS, you will need to have a mix of both technical and soft skills, including:
Technical Skills
The technical skills are the “hands-on” competencies you need to carry out the job of a driver reliably at UPS. They include:
- Vehicle Operation and Control Skills
UPS drivers are expected to have:
- Safe driving skills (steering, braking, reversing, parking, etc.)
- Ability to handle varying road and weather conditions
- Ability to drive a manual transmission vehicle (in some regions) if the vehicle requires it.
2. Route Navigation and Optimization
Candidates for the UPS driver role will also have an advantage in getting hired if they have:
Ability to use GPS, mapping software, and route planning tools
- Ability to read maps and interpret route changes
- Familiarity with UPS’s own routing tools (e.g. ORION in the U.S.).
3. Package Handling and Loading/Unloading Skills
UPS drivers are also expected to have:
- Proficiency in loading, balancing, and stacking of packages
- Ability to use hand trucks, dollies, and lifting equipment
- Ability to lift heavy parcels (commonly up to ~70 lbs).
4. Scanning/ Data Entry/Technology Usage
UPS drivers are also expected to possess:
- Ability to use handheld scanning devices, barcode readers, and signature capture
- Basic computer or mobile device skills (including entering delivery confirmations, checking route data).
5. Vehicle Maintenance Awareness
Candidates for the driver role at UPS are also expected to possess:
- Basic understanding of vehicle inspection (fluids, tires, lights, brakes, etc.)
- Ability to identify and report mechanical issues.
Soft Skills
The UPS driver is also expected to have certain soft skills that help them to relate effectively with customers and colleagues. These include:
- Reliability and Punctuality: UPS drivers should ensure timely reporting to work, adherence to schedules, and dependability in attendance.
- Customer Service and Communication: They should be polite, clearly communicate with customers, and have the ability to handle inquiries or complaints, and should be
professional in appearance and demeanor. - Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Candidates for the UPS driver role should have the ability to deal with route changes, unexpected traffic, and deliveries to difficult addresses, and should be able to make quick decisions under pressure.
- Time Management and Efficiency: They should be able to maximize stop counts, optimize delivery sequences, and minimize downtime.
- Physical Stamina and Endurance: They should have the ability to work long hours, make frequent stops, walk, lift items, and load/unload heavy materials.
- Attention to Detail and Accuracy: Candidates for the UPS driver position should have the ability to deliver package correctly, avoid misdeliveries, and ensure accurate scanning.
- Safety Mindset and Responsibility: They should have the ability of prioritizing safety in driving, handling cargo, and pedestrian interactions.
UPS Driver Knowledge Qualifications
To qualify for the UPS driver role, candidates should have knowledge of the following concepts, systems, and regulations:
- Traffic Laws and Regulations: Drivers should have knowledge of local motor vehicle laws, road rules, weight/length limits, and signage.
- DOT/Transport Safety Regulations: Having the knowledge of hours of service, rest breaks, cargo securement, etc. is important for a UPS driver.
- UPS Procedures and Policies: Drivers should have knowledge of delivery protocols, uniform policy, handling of special deliveries (fragile, high-value, hazardous materials, etc.)
- Route Planning and Logistics Principles: Knowledge of shortest path strategy, clustering deliveries, and time windows constraints are also vital for UPS drivers to have
- Vehicle Systems and Basic Mechanics: Candidates seeking the driver position at UPS should have good understanding of vehicle components and knowledge of common mechanical issues with vehicles.
- Safety and Accident Prevention: They should also be knowledgeable of risk identification, safe loading/unloading process, slips/trips prevention, and weather awareness.
UPS Driver Abilities
To improve your chances of being hired for the UPS driving role, having the following abilities will be helpful:
- Physical Ability: Candidates should have the ability to Lift and carry heavy packages (commonly about 70 lbs), walk, climb stairs, bend, reach overhead, and work in various weather.
- Spatial and Visual Ability: They should also have the ability to judge distances, back up, and park in tight spots.
- Manual Dexterity: The ability to handle packages, maneuver doors, and load/unload items is also important to a UPS driver.
- Cognitive Ability: Drivers should have the ability to process information quickly and work under time constraints.
- Endurance and Resilience: They should also have the ability to sustain physical and mental effort over long shifts.
- Memory and Concentration: UPS drivers should have the ability to remember route details, addresses, and stop sequences.
UPS Driver Experience Qualifications
Your chances of getting hired as a UPS driver are brighter if you have any or more of the following experiences:
- Prior Driving Experience: Experience driving delivery vans, trucks, or other commercial vehicles with a clean driving record and accident-free history can boost your application.
- Delivery/Logistics/Courier Experience: Working for courier services, last-mile delivery, parcel services can also be helpful
- Warehouse/Material Handling: Experience in loading/unloading, sorting, inventory handling is useful too
- Route Driving/Multi-stop Delivery Experience: Drivers with familiarity with making many stops daily can be considered by UPS
- Seasonal/Temporary Driving Roles: Working during peak seasons (e.g. holiday surge) as support driver can be helpful in getting hired as a UPS driver.
- Tenure and Seniority (especially in unionized settings): Some internal programs promote internal candidates with seniority and proven track record. Candidates with such records stand a good chance of being hired for the UPS driver role.
Other Qualifications/Requirements
Here are miscellaneous but often required or strongly desirable attributes to have to qualify for the UPS driver position:
- Age Requirements: Often, the minimum age of 21 years is for commercial or route driving roles.
- Clean Driving Record/ Minimal Violations: No serious accidents, DUI/DWI, license suspensions within certain periods.
- Background/Criminal Checks: UPS often performs background checks to ensure the safety of customers and compliance.
- Legal Right to Work/Residency Requirements: Candidates must show proof of authorization to work in the country.
- Uniform/Appearance Compliance: Adherence to UPS uniform policy, grooming, and appearance standards.
- Drug and Alcohol Screening Compliance: Passing pre-employment and random tests
- Probation/Trial Period Performance: Many UPS drivers start under a “qualifying” or probation period. They must meet performance metrics or risk termination.
- Geographic/Local Knowledge: Familiarity with delivery area can be a plus.
- Safety Record and Insurance Requirements: May need to meet company or insurer standards.
Conclusion
To become a UPS driver in the U.S. is challenging but rewarding. Drivers earn competitive wages, often over $40/hour for full-time package delivery drivers after progression, union protections, healthcare benefits, and pensions.
However, the qualification process is demanding and involves strict safety rules, physical stamina, and customer service skills.
For those serious about a driving career at UPS, the best strategy is often to start in a part-time or seasonal role, build seniority, keep a clean driving record, and work your way up to a full-time driver position.
