As an owner driver, jobs are easy to pick up wherever you happen to be in the country with the Courier Exchange app. If you happen to take on a load in London when you’re not a native to the Capital, the idea of finding your way around its notoriously fiendish road network can be intimidating to say the least.
But don’t let it dissuade you from accepting the work. Follow these simple steps before negotiating the delivery schedule for your London load.
1. Do Your Research
London is a vibrant capital city where no two days are the same. One very handy piece of advice for couriers is to check online for any possible disruptions before you start planning your journey. It’s entirely possible that your route could be affected by one of the following:
- Planned road works
- Transport strikes
- Demonstrations, festivals or parades
- Building work
It would be foolish, for example, to agree to a quick delivery in West London on the weekend of the Notting Hill Carnival. Of course there will always be the chance of last-minute traffic problems or road closures, but it is worth checking online beforehand to save time (and patience) later.
2. Give a Generous Time Estimate
As an owner driver, don’t be tempted to accept multiple cross-London deliveries in a single day. Courier jobs may come in thick and fast, but customer satisfaction and a delivery schedule you can stick to are more important than completing multiple jobs quickly.
You can be sure that the traffic in the Capital will move at an agonisingly slow pace, no matter the hour of your delivery. It’s easy to get frustrated when you’re sat at a standstill in a queue, but don’t add to the pressure by giving yourself a schedule you can’t hope to meet.
3. Map Out Your Route Ahead of Time
It may sound obvious, but a wing and a prayer just don’t cut it when it comes to navigating London. We would always recommend checking your route options on both a conventional map and a Sat Nav before you set out on your journey. That way you can gain an understanding of the lay of the land and identify two or three routes that would get you to your destination, before picking the most sensible one.
4. Stick to Your Plans When Navigating London
Once you have chosen your route, take the advice of the London Hackney Club (otherwise known as black cabbies, to you and me): even if you have years of navigation under your belt and know the streets of London like the back of your hand, a lot of the time traffic jams can’t be avoided.
Try not to stray from your chosen route – attempting to “get around the traffic” will only lead to frustration and potentially add precious minutes to your delivery time.
5. Two Pairs of Eyes are Better Than One
It can really help to have a second pair of eyes in the cab with you when you’re driving in an inner city with multiple lanes and exits.
We’ve all been in that situation when your Sat Nav gives you an unclear instruction and you’re craning around to find the correct turning. A mate on the seat beside you can keep a look out for road signs and man the phone while you’re navigating London, allowing you to focus all of your efforts on the road. Of course, a second pair of hands also comes in useful when it’s time to unload at your destination.
Follow these simple steps, keep a cool head and you’ll be planning your London routes like a true Londoner in no time!
If you’re not based in London, check out our guide to the best locations for couriers.
Are you looking for courier work in the Capital? Find owner-driver jobs on our live freight exchange, which connects drivers with companies and freight forwarders looking to subcontract their loads. Go online today to discover what business opportunities you could gain with Courier Exchange.
The article was published on . It was updated on 23 July 2024 to make it more relevant and comprehensive.
