Along with the increase in freight transportation volumes in our country, the demand for specialists such as forwarding drivers is increasing. Their responsibilities include organizing the transportation of goods along pre-prepared and agreed upon routes.
In their work, forwarding drivers must take into account many factors and conditions that affect the safe and timely delivery of goods, know the rules for loading and unloading various types of goods to ensure their integrity and safety, and be able to work with transport documents.
In addition, forwarding drivers must have a good knowledge of the structure of trucks and be able to eliminate breakdowns that may occur along the way.
Thus, to work in this specialty, it is not enough to have a license of the appropriate driving category and a certain driving experience.
As for higher education, it is not always required. In this case, preference in employment may be given to candidates who have completed training in the specialties “Technology of Transport Processes” or “Organization of Transportation”.
The profession of a forwarding driver is in demand in manufacturing organizations, in companies operating in the trade sector and in transportation companies. The position of a delivery driver is suitable for those who like to be constantly on the move and communicate with new people.
The salary of forwarding drivers is quite high: depending on the field of activity of the company and the distances over which cargo transportation is carried out, it can vary between 30-120 thousand rubles.
What tasks does a delivery driver perform?
The responsibilities of a delivery driver go beyond simply delivering goods. It must perform various related functions. As a rule, the delivery driver is assigned certain tasks.
This:
- transportation of goods along established routes;
- participation in the acceptance of cargo at the place of dispatch, checking the compliance of the actual goods and consumable documents;
- coordination of loading goods into a vehicle, taking into account compliance with safety standards and uniform load distribution;
- monitoring the integrity of product packaging;
- control of cargo safety during transportation;
- preparation of documentation confirming acceptance and unloading of goods;
- monitoring the technical condition of the car, compliance with the rules of its operation;
- ensuring optimal conditions for transporting goods.
The forwarding driver must thoroughly know the vehicle he is working on: existing defects, inspection deadlines.
When transporting goods with a limited shelf life or requiring special temperature conditions, the forwarding driver must carefully monitor these parameters.
Job Description for Forwarding Driver
A local document such as a job description will help you understand what the responsibilities of a delivery driver are in a particular organization. It consists of several sections.
General provisions
This section records the requirements for the qualifications and knowledge of the employee, and also reflects to whom and in what order he is accountable.
Typically, the driver reports to the head of the “garage” structural unit (transport workshop, transport section), the chief mechanic (chief engineer) or directly to the director of the enterprise.
The following requirements apply to candidates for the position of forwarding driver:
- Possession of a driver's license with the right to work for hire.
- Having driving experience. The more dangerous the goods to be transported, the more experienced the driver must be.
- Knowledge of traffic rules, transportation of goods, transportation of people and animals and other necessary regulations, vehicle design, body and interior care rules, vehicle maintenance procedures, etc.
If it is planned to charge the driver with freight forwarding responsibilities, then additional requirements may be imposed on him:
- Knowledge of the procedure for acceptance and delivery, conditions of transportation and storage of goods.
- Ability to work with accounting and other supporting documentation, etc.
Functions
The functions of the forwarder driver are as follows:
- Proper operation of the vehicle, including maintenance and minor repairs.
- Ensuring safety, as well as reception, delivery and transfer of entrusted material assets.
Responsibilities
If you ask what are the responsibilities of a forwarding driver transporting products or, say, lumber, or cash, you can see that they are somewhat different. This is natural, because they are largely determined by the specifics of the enterprise’s activities. But there are also common points for all employees performing cargo transportation functions.
These may include the following responsibilities:
- Passing medical examinations.
- Ensuring that the vehicle is in serviceable technical condition, cleaning, maintaining and repairing it.
- Control and participation in loading and unloading cargo, placing it in the back, ensuring safety along the way.
- Preparation of related documentation.
- Purchase of fuel and lubricants, spare parts.
- Development of the most convenient routes, maintaining waybills.
The more detailed the responsibilities are specified in the job description, the fewer misunderstandings will arise with the employee in the course of his professional activities. A description of the driver’s functionality in the job description may look, for example, like this:
Rights
The rights of workers are enshrined in the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. These include the right:
In addition, the driver has the right:
Responsibility
Any employee, including the driver, bears disciplinary liability for violating the rules and regulations adopted by the organization under Art. 192 Labor Code of the Russian Federation. He can be reprimanded or reprimanded, and if the offense is repeated, he can be fired.
For failure to comply with traffic rules, the driver of a vehicle, including one owned by a legal entity, like any traffic participant, can be punished both administratively (Chapter 12 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation) and criminally (in case of serious violations) in the manner prescribed by the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation
Also, a full liability agreement can be concluded with the driver. In accordance with Art. 243 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation and paragraph 4 of the List of Positions, such an agreement can be drawn up with “procurement and (or) supply agents, freight forwarders and other employees who receive, procure, store, record, issue, and transport material assets.”
However, there is another interpretation of the list, according to which an agreement of full individual liability can be concluded only with the forwarder as a person directly servicing funds and material assets, but not with the driver. In this regard, a logical question arises: can the forwarder be charged with the duties of a driver?
In general, the legislation of the Russian Federation does not contain a ban on such actions. The head of the organization has the right to decide for himself which of his employees will be given what functions. However, this is only possible if the forwarder has a driver’s license and meets other requirements for drivers, and the employer is ready to carry out all the necessary activities for both positions (medical examinations, briefings, etc.).
Features of work organization
When transporting goods, the forwarding driver must have with him:
- driver's license (category B, C);
- vehicle registration document;
- valid insurance policy.
When transporting internationally, the specialist must have a license that allows him to travel internationally. The driver is also required to know the rules in force in the country to which he is traveling.
Each cargo must be accompanied by a certain batch of documentation, the completeness of which the forwarding driver must check before leaving for the route.
The basic package of documents includes:
- waybill for the transported cargo;
- contract for the carriage of goods;
- waybill, invoice;
- act of acceptance and transfer of cargo, power of attorney for transportation.
Additionally, various quality certificates and other documents may be needed. In addition to having documents, before leaving, the driver must check the condition of the vehicle and undergo a medical examination.
What requirements must be met?
The delivery driver must meet the following requirements:
- have a driver's license of categories B, C;
- have an accident-free driving style;
- be able to navigate the area in which you will work;
- understand the technical condition of vehicles;
- have a valid medical certificate;
- know the features of transporting large cargo;
- thoroughly know the rules of regulations and current legislation in the field of traffic management.
This is the minimum list of requirements that apply to candidates for the relevant positions. Other knowledge and skills are often acquired by specialists during work or in specialized courses.
In addition, many organizations require candidates to have at least one year of work experience in their specialty. So, for example, only those drivers who have sufficient experience and level of responsibility can be hired to work in organizations involved in the transportation of dangerous goods.
Companies engaged in international transportation may require delivery drivers to have knowledge of foreign languages. Also, in some cases, organizations hire specialists with personal cars.
What is the position of a delivery driver?
Forwarding driver is a position that combines the functions of a logistician, driver, courier and merchandiser.
In addition, he accompanies the cargo, that is, he accepts it and ships it, maintaining documentary records. The forwarding driver is responsible for delivering the cargo in proper condition within the specified time frame.
The requirements for employees for the position of delivery driver differ depending on the level of the company and its industry..
What is the job description of a delivery driver and why is it needed?
A job description is an internal document of the company, which reflects the requirements for the position and its functionality. Instructions are a set of rules that employees holding positions adhere to.
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The job description details every action that an employee is required or entitled to perform to complete assigned tasks.
This document allows the forwarding driver to clearly carry out assigned tasks, and the employer to evaluate the quality of the work performed by the employee.
A job description allows you to avoid disputes and misunderstandings in work interactions, objectively assess an employee’s suitability for the position held, and also avoid duplication of work functions within the enterprise.
Who draws up such a document and when?
The responsibility for drawing up instructions rests with human resources specialists or the head of the department.
When drawing up instructions, comments from all interested parties are taken into account.
These could be company lawyers, accounting departments, production and sales managers. The finished job description is approved by the head of the company.
A sample job description can be downloaded here.
The instructions are drawn up in relation to the position as a whole, and not to an individual employee. It is compiled at any time : at the stage of opening a company, when opening a new position, or when there is a need to regulate the responsibilities of an existing position . Compiled for both vacant and occupied positions.
Main sections of the job description
When hired, a delivery driver gets acquainted with his job description. It details the future duties, rights and responsibilities of the specialist. As for responsibility, this is one of the most important points in the job description. The forwarding driver is fully responsible for the performance of his duties, including financial responsibility for the transported goods; per vehicle.
The transported cargo must be accepted and delivered intact. That is why the driver must carefully monitor all stages of its acceptance, transportation and unloading.
Roles and responsibilities of a delivery driver
During his work, the forwarding driver performs the following functions:
- Monitoring the serviceability of transport equipment.
- Its correct operation;
- Performing timely technical inspections
- Maintaining the cleanliness of the vehicles entrusted to the driver;
- Proper storage of transported cargo;
- Personal participation in the preparation of documents upon receipt and delivery of goods.
- Be a representative of the company when transporting cargo.
- Setting and coordination with senior employees of the route,
- Monitoring fuel consumption, recording route points traveled and reporting on them;
- Ensuring the serviceability of transport.
- When leaving the car, set it to alarm and lock the doors;
- Reception of goods and familiarization with accompanying documents;
- Ensure that the original packaging is not damaged;
- Rational stowage of cargo in the body;
- Submission to management;
- Parking of vehicles in a guarded parking lot/garage.
