Driving Jobs Hiring Right Now

Do you want to use your driving skills to earn a living? Delve into the types of driving jobs available to you today.

Now more than ever driving is an excellent way to make a consistent living. Delivery drivers are in particularly high demand since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in people staying home has lead to spikes in online orders. Therefore, there are more products to deliver. No matter where you live in the United States, there are multiple driving jobs available to you.

Some driving jobs require a commercial driver's license (CDL). For example, you need a CDL to drive a tractor trailer truck, whether doing so in your state or crossing state lines on long haul trucking routes. Studying for a CDL exam takes quite a while. You may not want to invest the time necessary to do so, but you have many other options. There are plenty of driving jobs that do not require a CDL license, time investment, or money investment. A lot of them do not require you to travel outside your home area, either. Here are some types of driving jobs hiring right now and their benefits.

General and Specific Benefits of Driving Jobs

Driving jobs have many potential benefits. Some are general benefits you can get from multiple driving positions. For example, you can qualify for part-time driver jobs that allow you to make extra money in addition to your earnings from your regular job. You may also prefer a full-time position as a delivery driver. In either case, you can often set your own hours. Other potential general benefits of a delivery job include:

  • Job Security/Constant Demand for Deliveries
  • Unlimited Earning Potential
  • Ability to Choose Whether to Work with People or Packages

There are also specific benefits of driving jobs to consider. For example, you may get an employee discount by working as a delivery driver for a certain company. If you deliver food, you may also get free or discounted meals. It is up to you to select the type of driving job with the general and specific benefits that most suit your preferences.  Here are some driving job options.

Courier or Messenger Positions

One of the most common driving jobs you can get immediately is as a courier or messenger. In some areas, the two are considered the same. However, particularly in large cities there is often a distinction between the two. That distinction primarily involves the time it takes to deliver packages. A courier often makes scheduled package deliveries. Those deliveries might occur one or more days after the request for delivery service.

In contrast to a courier, a messenger is often tasked with delivering time-sensitive packages and messages on the same day an order is placed. Messenger jobs are most prevalent in large urban areas, such as New York City, Boston, or Chicago. The faster they deliver, the higher rates they often earn. Messenger services typically provide various same-day delivery options at different price points, such as:

  • Immediately Upon Receipt of the Order
  • Two-Hour Delivery
  • Four-Hour Delivery
  • Six-Hour Delivery
  • By the Close of the Business Day

If you want to be a messenger or courier, you can apply for a position with an established firm. You can also opt to work independently. You do not need a college degree to become a messenger or courier. However, a college degree can help you learn the skills needed to start your own messenger service. A degree in a field like customer service or sales may also help you obtain a higher paying courier position at an established firm. According to Salary.com the average wage for a courier or messenger is typically between $14 and $18 per hour. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported a sharp rise in Courier and Messenger positions available in 2020, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delivery Van Jobs (Passenger or Cargo Vans)

There are several jobs you can get if you happen to own your own cargo or passenger van. Delivery van jobs require you to deliver goods or passengers from one location to another. For example, you can operate a shuttle service delivering passengers to and from your local airport, if you have a passenger van. As a cargo delivery driver, you can work for a specific company like Amazon Flex. You can also use websites like Indeed or mobile phone apps like GoShare to find delivery van jobs. Cargo van owners can even make up to $2,200 per week with their own vehicle. In order to work for a specific company as a cargo or passenger van driver you must typically have a high school diploma or GED. Depending on individual company requirements, you may also have to:

  • Have a driver's license for a certain minimum number of years.
  • Have a good driving record.
  • Pass a criminal background check.
  • Pass a drug test.

Other General Package Delivery Driving Jobs

You do not need a cargo van to deliver packages. You can use a pickup truck, car, or other small vehicle. However, the number of packages you can deliver per day depends on the size of the vehicle you use. Many local delivery jobs allow you to use your own vehicle. You may consider that a perk, since you can drive the vehicle you are used to and keep it the way you are used to. If so, a position such as a food delivery driver is a good potential option for you. Other positions may require you to drive a company vehicle, which can also be beneficial. Driving a company vehicle prevents you from putting wear and tear on your personal vehicle.

Keep an Open Mind to Maximize Driving Earnings

The types of driving positions above are not the only ones available. In today's era of modern technology, you can use websites and apps to connect with many companies and individuals requiring different types of driving services. For example, you can develop a list of elderly clients who need you to pick up goods for them. You might also enjoy delivering newspapers, or even driving pets to vet appointments. There is also no rule requiring you to only perform one type of driving task. Providing multiple forms of driving services can give you a wider client base quickly.