Starting as a delivery courier is exciting, but the road to success is littered with common pitfalls that can damage your reputation, tank your earnings, and leave you stressed and overworked. Many beginners make avoidable mistakes that experienced drivers learned the hard way. Understanding these errors and how to dodge them will set you up for long-term success.
This guide covers the four biggest mistakes new drivers make and practical strategies to stay ahead.
Mistake 1: Overpromising Delivery Times
Beginners often want to impress customers by promising unrealistic windows. "I'll be there in 30 minutes" when realistically it takes 45 is a recipe for failure.
Why This Matters
- • Customers become angry when you're late, leading to bad reviews
- • You rush and make safety mistakes or miss stops
- • Your reputation takes a hit, reducing future bookings
- • You burn out trying to meet impossible timelines
How to Avoid It
- • Add buffer time: If it realistically takes 40 minutes, quote 50-55 minutes
- • Account for traffic: Always factor in peak hours and unexpected delays
- • Underpromise, overdeliver: Arriving 10 minutes early delights customers
- • Use route planning tools: Apps like Routed calculate eta's to your stops
- • Be honest: "I'll be there between 2-3 PM" is better than "I'll be there at 2:15"
Mistake 2: Poor Route Planning
Beginners often wing it—planning on the fly, driving inefficiently, and wasting time and fuel backtracking. This is one of the costliest errors you can make.
Why This Matters
- • You waste fuel on inefficient routes, cutting into profits
- • You take longer to complete deliveries, earning less per hour
- • Vehicle wear and tear accelerates with unnecessary km's / miles
- • You miss stops or arrive late because you're confused about directions
How to Avoid It
- • Plan before you drive: Review your entire route on a map before leaving
- • Cluster stops geographically: Group nearby addresses to minimise driving
- • Use route optimisation software: Tools like Routed automatically calculate the fastest route
- • Check traffic conditions: Avoid congested areas or plan for delays
- • Save time and money: A well-optimised route can cut 30-40% off your delivery time
Mistake 3: Ignoring Vehicle Maintenance
Beginners often skip regular maintenance—oil changes, tyre checks, brake inspections—until something breaks. Then you're stuck without a vehicle, losing income.
Why This Matters
- • A breakdown mid-route costs you a full day of earnings
- • Neglected maintenance leads to expensive repairs down the line
- • Poor tyre condition increases accident risk and liability
- • Your vehicle depreciates faster, costing you when you sell
How to Avoid It
- • Follow maintenance schedules: Oil changes every 3,000-5,000 miles or 10,000km's
- • Check tyres weekly: Proper pressure and tread depth matter for safety and fuel efficiency
- • Inspect brakes regularly: Don't wait for warning signs
- • Keep records: Document all maintenance for warranty and resale value
- • Budget for maintenance: Set aside 10-15% of earnings for upkeep. Know what to do if your van breaks down mid-run
Mistake 4: Underpricing Your Services
Beginners desperate for work often undercharge to win jobs. This destroys the market, undervalues your labour, and leaves you struggling to make a living.
Why This Matters
- • You're trading time and risk for barely any profit
- • Customers expect quality at low prices, leading to complaints
- • You attract difficult clients instead of good-paying ones
- • It's hard to raise prices later—customers expect the low rate to stay
How to Avoid It
- • Research market rates: Know what experienced couriers charge in your area
- • Calculate your costs: Factor in fuel, vehicle wear, insurance, and taxes
- • Price for profit, not volume: 5 well-paying jobs beat 10 cheap ones
- • Offer tiers: Standard, express, and same-day deliveries at different price points
- • Communicate value: Reliable delivery, tracking, and professional service justify fair pricing
Key Takeaway
- ✓ Be realistic with delivery times—underpromise and overdeliver
- ✓ Plan your route before you drive—use route optimisation software
- ✓ Maintain your vehicle religiously—prevention is cheaper than repair
- ✓ Price fairly—profitable work beats desperate discounting
- ✓ Use Routed to plan efficient routes, save fuel, and deliver on time—every single time