What does a van driver do?
A van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road. They should also be familiar with the location, considering alternative routes for any road complications to avoid delays. A van driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the engine's condition, and perform repairs as necessary.
Van driver responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real van driver resumes:
- Perform basic math sufficient to process axle weights at shipping docks.
- Maintain knowledge of first-aid procedures including CPR.
- Plot route pickup and drop off points.
- Have taken additional training in HAZMAT and international audit procedures.
- Specialize in teaching reading, writing, and math skills.
- Obtain knowledge of CDL laws and statues in accordance with the D.O.T
- Announce major stops, metro stations and transfer points per ADA regulations.
- Ensure children from grades k-12 are transported safely to and from school.
- Pick up and deliver students k-12 to appropriate location within a timely manner.
- Document pickup time, location, mileage, fare, and number of passengers on route sheet.
- Maintain alertness and be observant of any activity, both authorize and unauthorize, and take appropriate actions.
- Maintain CDL, pass annual fitness for duty physical, and pass random drug and alcohol screenings while employ.
- Position require safety training, CPR and communication with safety supervisors and management.
- Maintain safe delivery of hazmat chemicals to local and regional manufacturers.
- Assist in the boarding of passengers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids and require to properly secure wheelchairs and scooters.
Van driver skills and personality traits
We calculated that 18% of Van Drivers are proficient in CDL, Customer Service, and OTR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hearing ability, Physical health, and Hand-eye coordination.
We break down the percentage of Van Drivers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 18%
Drive CDL B vans, maintain DOT logs, perform safety and basic truck maintenance.
- Customer Service, 13%
Managed staff of 5 labor professionals ensuring accuracy, quality customer service, professional demeanor, and proficiency in work
- OTR, 9%
Operated a touring rock bands equipment truck OTR throughout the United States in a safe and timelymanner.
- Mechanical Problems, 9%
Reported any mechanical problems and discipline issues.
- GPS, 7%
Delivered a wide variety of food products to different customers through different routes using GPS.
- Vehicle Inspections, 6%
Conduct daily vehicle inspections and report any needed repairs immediately.
"cdl," "customer service," and "otr" are among the most common skills that van drivers use at work. You can find even more van driver responsibilities below, including:
Hearing ability. One of the key soft skills for a van driver to have is hearing ability. You can see how this relates to what van drivers do because "truck drivers need good hearing." Additionally, a van driver resume shows how van drivers use hearing ability: "provided clients with transportation to their medical appointments including therapy, dentistry, hearing and dialysis. "
Physical health. Another essential skill to perform van driver duties is physical health. Van drivers responsibilities require that "federal regulations do not allow people to become truck drivers if they have a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, which may interfere with their ability to operate a truck." Van drivers also use physical health in their role according to a real resume snippet: "transport residents with physical disabilities in a lift-equipped van to local destinations within a 15 mile radius of the village . "
Hand-eye coordination. van drivers are also known for hand-eye coordination, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to van driver responsibilities, because "drivers of heavy trucks and tractor-trailers must be able to coordinate their legs, hands, and eyes simultaneously so that they will react appropriately to the situation around them and drive the vehicle safely." A van driver resume example shows how hand-eye coordination is used in the workplace: "operate (trip manager) an electronic transportation system communication coordination of fedex containers with airport ramp. "
Visual ability. van driver responsibilities often require "visual ability." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests." This resume example shows what van drivers do with visual ability on a typical day: "performed a complete visual safety check of each van driven on a daily basis. "
The three companies that hire the most van drivers are:
- Clean Harbors1,261 van drivers jobs
- Roehl Transport250 van drivers jobs
- Marten Transport138 van drivers jobs
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Compare different van drivers
Van driver vs. Fuel truck driver
A Fuel Truck Driver transports fuel and other petroleum products from one place to another, ensuring safety and timeliness. Their responsibilities include measuring and calculating fuel deliveries, maintaining records, handling documentation, liaising with clients, preparing progress reports, and overseeing the loading and unloading procedures, ensuring adherence to the company's safety standards and regulations. A Fuel Truck Driver must conduct regular vehicle maintenance checks and abide by the traffic laws and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between van drivers and fuel truck driver. For instance, van driver responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "otr," "mechanical problems," and "gps." Whereas a fuel truck driver is skilled in "hazmat," "dot," "math," and "basic math." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that fuel truck drivers earn slightly differ from van drivers. In particular, fuel truck drivers are 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a van driver. Additionally, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Van driver vs. School bus driver
A school bus driver is responsible for students' safe transportation during school days or any related events. Aside from ensuring that the students get to their destination on time, a school bus driver must ensure to abide by the traffic laws and regulations at all times and follow particular routes for picking-up and dropping off students. Furthermore, a school bus driver must ensure students' safety at all times by conducting daily bus maintenance and maintaining order inside the vehicle.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that van driver responsibilities requires skills like "cdl," "otr," "gps," and "patients." But a school bus driver might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "dot," "post-trip inspections," "passenger endorsement," and "cdl license."
On average, school bus drivers earn a higher salary than van drivers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, school bus drivers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $39,173. Whereas van drivers have higher pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $37,113.school bus drivers earn similar levels of education than van drivers in general. They're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Van driver vs. Tow truck driver
Typically working upon the directives of dispatchers, a tow truck driver is in charge of driving to areas where a vehicle accident or breakdown took place, connecting the vehicle to the tow truck, and transporting them to repair stations or particular places. Their responsibilities include communicating with clients to identify their needs, answering inquiries, providing assistance by performing minor repairs, changing tires or jump-starting cars, and recommending solutions when necessary. Furthermore, as a tow truck driver, it is essential to perform regular maintenance checks on towing trucks for a safe and efficient service.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, van drivers are more likely to have skills like "otr," "vehicle inspections," "patients," and "pet." But a tow truck driver is more likely to have skills like "transport vehicles," "loaders," "aaa," and "fuel delivery."
Tow truck drivers make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $39,670. On the other hand, van drivers are paid the highest salary in the transportation industry, with average annual pay of $37,113.When it comes to education, tow truck drivers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to van drivers. In fact, they're 1.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Van driver vs. Delivery driver
A delivery driver's general responsibility is to ensure that the packages are being delivered to the destination safely and timely. Delivery drivers must be able to communicate well with the delivery team for the most convenient routes and assigned schedule. A delivery driver also has to check with the customer should there be any concerns regarding the items delivered to guarantee satisfaction and accurate service. Delivery drivers should also have basic knowledge of engines in case of any system malfunctions on the road.
Types of van driver
Updated January 8, 2025
