Any advice for new royal mail drivers?

[Lee Best]

Ive been with the royal mail now for awhile as a walker. Just recently passed my changeover test so will be on driving duties soon.

Just a bit apprehensive about the driving.

Is there any tips you can give especially for very heavy days packetswise and specials.
If you had quite a few specials would you look do them all first. Then maybe do all the big packets for roads that the specials were in, then maybe come back do some of youre walks?

Or would you tend to leave the big packets till the end when the driver and walker have finished all the walks. Then go round and deliver them?

Do u find on most walks that there is one really long walkers loop ,which then gives the driver some time to do some of the packets?

Thanks

[The_Wax_Man]

My advice would be. ( no specific order )

1. Try and find a van that does not smell of old mans wee
2. Try and find a van that has not got bald/damaged/crapped tyres
3. Try and find a van that has not finger/smear/gps sucker pad marks on the windows
4. Try and find a van that has not got sweet/cake/crisp wrapper stuffed in every crevice
5. Try and find a van that has not got trim/dents/damaged lenses
6. Try and find a van that is not so mucky that your work clothes get filthy just by getting in and out.
7. Try and find a van that has fuel in it and not left on the light by a lazy fecker
8. Try and find a van... be prepared to hang around waiting for a van because some other driver has taken it to go home/shopping/doctors/sleeping around the corner parked up
9. The list goes on. - not even discussing sticky steering wheels and skin flake all around the dashboard..



Ooops my bad - mis read thread title

[Lounge Lizard]

My further advice would be. ( no specific order )

10. Try not to get too bitter and twisted about not getting paid a penny extra for taking on all the extra responsibilities and risks of a driving duty.
11. Try and be patient and realise that a few weeks familiarity with the duty will make you realise how to do parts of it in a different order or go ahead of yourself slightly so as to get the Special Deliveries completed before 1pm.
12. Drive the van between home and work to save fuel, wear and tear in your own vehicle but don't deviate for shopping or stopping off at the pub for a pint or two.
13. Be aware of speed cameras because there's little truth in the widely acknowledged myth that vehicles carrying the Queen's mail are exempt from all road traffic regulations.

[clashcityrocker]

Wear your seat belt.
Don't smoke in the van.

[cweg]

What was the changeover test like? I was meant to have mine this week but there was a booking error.

[sophie97]

I never had a test, just got told if I have a liscense im good to go

[DB1100]

Remember the clutch pedal is also a foot rest
Remember to floor the accelerator pedal the minute the engine fires
Remember to apply the handbrake before the vehicle has stopped moving
Remember to wind the window down before spitting.

[clashcityrocker]

If you had a skinfull the night before, remember you may still be over the legal limit the next day.

[spiderj]

Vehicle checks shouldn't consist of the following
"Naughty van"

[tansorboy]

The best van check I ever saw - a colleague stared at his vehicle for a couple of seconds, then announced 'Yes, it's a Van!'

[maisymoo04]

Remember the clutch pedal is also a foot rest
Remember to floor the accelerator pedal the minute the engine fires
Remember to apply the handbrake before the vehicle has stopped moving
Remember to wind the window down before spitting.

Hahaha db so true