A driving license is a ticket to freedom, but it can also be so much more. If you love the feel of the open road (or just love to drive cars), there are plenty of ways to make money from the comfort of the driver’s seat. The advent of new technology has made it easier than ever to find driving work, so here’s a list of the top careers.
#1 Taxi driver
Getting into cab driving was once a fraught and difficult process. Drivers had to memorize maps and routes around cities, often taking months to build up their knowledge. Those days are long gone. Satellite navigation systems make plotting a route easier than ever, and ride-hailing apps like Uber have changed how cabs work. Drivers can now sign up to an app like Uber or Ola and start picking up fares straight away. Of course, those platforms take a cut of your profits but the freedom to choose when you work, the fares you pick up, and how far you want to travel more than makes up for this.
#2 Delivery driver
Working for a shipping company like Amazon can be stressful because you’ll be expected to make a certain number of deliveries within the allotted time. The same applies to most parcel fulfillment forces, but if you can cope with the pressure, the rest of the job is quite straightforward. Delivery drivers operate in small, local areas, dropping parcels off and then moving on. Many companies let you choose your own hours, and staying local is a big benefit.
#3 Lorry driver
Lorry drivers have the most freedom. While this wasn’t always the case, it’s nowadays possible for drivers to choose their jobs via a load board (thus picking what they want to deliver and where they want to deliver it to) – you can find out more here. This type of unparalleled freedom makes delivering freight via lorry highly attractive. Drivers can choose short or long haul journeys and mix and match their jobs depending on their schedules.
#4 Food delivery
We’ve all seen food deliveries on the road from pizza chains like Dominoes or apps like Just Eat. Food delivery functions in much the same way as parcel fulfillment, and you’ll usually be able to drive your own car. A customer places an order online; you drive to the restaurant to pick it up and then deliver it to said customer. Food delivery has a tipping culture, so you might be able to make a little extra cash on the side.
#5 Blood transport
Slightly more complex since you’ll need to undergo specific training, emergency blood delivery is nonetheless one of the most rewarding driving jobs that you can do. Donated blood needs to be delivered to hospitals safely and often quickly so that it can be transfused. The job has its fair share of tension, but it pays well, much better than the likes of food and parcel delivery. You’ll be saving lives, too.