What Is a Part Time Driver and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Part-time drivers transport passengers or cargo from one location to another. Unlike full-time drivers, part-time drivers work thirty hours or less a week. The type of vehicle they drive depends on their company and industry. For example, part-time bus drivers drop off passengers at different locations along a specific route. Passengers may also choose to take a taxi to their next stop driven by part-time taxi drivers. Part-time commercial truck drivers operate large vehicles to transport goods and materials to construction sites, retail locations, and other destinations. Qualified part-time drivers are in demand in many different industries, including manufacturing, health care, commerce, construction, and commercial trucking.

There are no formal education requirements to become a part-time driver, though most have a high school diploma or equivalent. The most important qualifications you need to become a part-time driver are having a driver's license and a clean driving record. Other requirements vary, depending on the type of vehicle you drive. Those who operate large motor vehicles also need to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) in the appropriate class. Many commercial trucking companies provide on-the-job training, but you may also complete a certificate program at a truck driving school. Independent contractors who drive their personal vehicles to shuttle passengers from one location to another may need additional car insurance. Research the requirements in your area before seeking part-time driver positions.

There are many different types of part-time driver jobs. They vary in the types of vehicle you drive and what you are transporting. Some examples include truck drivers, who operate large vehicles to move consumer goods and other materials from one location to another. Bus drivers pick up passengers along a specific route; taxi drivers also take passengers from one location to another, but they use a smaller taxicab or their own vehicles. Limousine drivers or chauffeurs may work for an upscale transportation company or for an individual or dignitary who chooses to hire a personal driver. Companies that have urgent packages that need to be delivered quickly, often on the same day, need courier drivers to pick up their packages and deliver them to its destination. Part-time drivers typically work less than thirty hours a week.