18 Insider Facts About UPS Drivers

United Parcel Service employees, clad in their iconic brown uniforms, handle over 24 million packages daily, delivering to more than 220 countries and territories worldwide—yes, even the North Pole. But what does a day in the life of a UPS driver truly entail? Here are some lesser-known insights from those who’ve lived the experience.

1. Constant Surveillance is Part of the Job.

UPS places a high value on efficiency, leveraging data to maximize productivity. Jack Levis, the company’s director of process management, explained to NPR in 2014 that saving just one minute per driver daily can amount to $14.5 million annually, while reducing idle time by a minute per driver can save $500,000 in fuel costs yearly. Drivers carry a handheld device known as a DIAD (Delivery Information Acquisition Device), which monitors their every action. Ever noticed how your UPS driver seems in a hurry? That’s because they’re often juggling 150 to 200 stops daily, all meticulously timed. “You’re taught to prioritize speed and efficiency,” Wendy Widmann, a 14-year UPS veteran, shared with Mytour in 2015. “Be courteous, but keep moving.” Sensors in the trucks track everything from seatbelt usage to braking intensity and door status. This data is analyzed by UPS experts to devise strategies for saving time and resources.

2. UPS Drivers Undergo Intensive Training.

Every driver is required to complete a rigorous training program known as “Integrad,” where they master essential skills for the job. They practice lifting heavy boxes filled with cinder blocks to mimic real-world packages. Trainees are taught to start the truck with one hand while fastening their seatbelt with the other to maximize efficiency. The program also includes a “slip and fall simulator” to prepare them for walking safely in slippery conditions. Additionally, a scaled-down delivery route with miniature houses is used for practice, allowing drivers to simulate real deliveries. As UPS representative Dan Cardillo explained to Mytour in 2015, this hands-on approach ensures drivers are fully prepared for the field.

3. Reversing the Truck is Strongly Discouraged.

Unless it’s necessary to back into a loading dock, UPS advises drivers to avoid reversing whenever possible. According to Cardillo, reversing increases the risk of accidents, such as hitting an object or person. In 2014, UPS driver Bill Earle shared with NPR that he frequently receives reminders about reversing too often or too quickly, highlighting the company’s emphasis on safety.

4. Top-Performing UPS Drivers Earn Recognition ...

After five years of accident-free driving, drivers can select a reward from retail catalogs. “The longer your safe driving record, the more impressive the rewards,” Kevin Dyer, a retired driver with 38 years of experience, told Mytour in 2015. “Early on, I received a highway safety kit packed with essentials like flares, jumper cables, a flashlight, and tape. Another year, I earned a set of golf clubs, which I used until they wore out.” However, a single “avoidable” accident resets the clock. “I had seven years under my belt before I hit a small tree while reversing,” Widmann recalled. “I had to start over, just as I was nearing the chance to earn high-value rewards like bikes and gas grills.”

5. Exceptional UPS Drivers Earn a Bomber Jacket.

Drivers who maintain a 25-year accident-free record are honored in the UPS “Circle of Honor” and awarded a distinctive patch and a bomber jacket.

6. UPS Trucks Are Like “Big Brown Microwaves.”

In 2023, UPS committed to equipping its vehicles with air conditioning. Starting January 1, 2024, all new small delivery trucks will feature this upgrade. Without AC, the trucks become dangerously hot, forcing drivers to keep doors open for ventilation. “The trucks are freezing in winter and sweltering in summer,” Widmann said. “Mild 50- to 60-degree days were a blessing.”

7. The Delivery Vehicles Aren’t Called Trucks.

At UPS, these vehicles are strictly known as “package cars.”

8. UPS Drivers Must Bring Their Own Music.

UPS “package cars” don’t include radios, so drivers need to bring their own devices if they want to enjoy music on their routes.

9. Dealing with Dog Bites Comes with the Territory.

“Many UPS drivers face dog attacks during their routes,” shared a former New Orleans UPS driver with Mytour in 2015. “The trick is to climb onto the hood of the closest vehicle and stay still. Some drivers have waited on car hoods for over an hour.” While UPS doesn’t officially train drivers to jump on cars to escape dogs, they advise shouting “UPS!” before entering properties to alert dogs. Their handheld devices also flag homes with potentially dangerous dogs, giving drivers a heads-up. “We prioritize driver safety,” Cardillo emphasized.

10. UPS Drivers Appreciate When You Meet Them Halfway.

Want to help your UPS driver? In a 2012 Reddit thread, a driver suggested, “If you see them arriving and you’re free, walk up to their truck or meet them halfway.” Even small gestures save time. “If 10 out of my 150 stops did this daily, I’d get home 10–15 minutes earlier and have more time with my family,” the Reddit user added.

11. Facial Hair Policies Have Eased Over Time.

UPS once enforced strict grooming rules, banning beards and limiting mustaches to above the corners of the mouth. Men’s hair couldn’t extend past the collar. However, in 2020, UPS updated its policies, allowing beards, longer hair, and natural Black hairstyles.

12. UPS Drivers Can Earn a Competitive Salary ...

Drivers with at least four years of experience earn an average of $42 per hour, as reported by UPS. By the end of his 38-year career, Dyer revealed he was earning over $75,000 annually.

In July 2023, the Teamsters union is advocating for higher wages, an improved pay structure, enhanced working conditions, and better safety protocols. The union has authorized a strike if a new agreement isn’t reached before the current contract ends on July 31.

13. ... And They Sometimes Receive Generous Tips.

Drivers often receive cash tips, especially during the holiday season. Wayne Turner, a former California driver, once encountered a butler who handed him and his partner $50 each. “It was unexpected, but we earned an extra $50 that day,” he told Mytour in 2015. More commonly, drivers receive gifts like wine or food. Occasionally, they’re given unique and valuable items: “A company that made reusable air filters gave me one whenever I needed it,” Turner shared. “They retailed for $65 to $75 at the time. Another time, a construction company gifted me a 16-foot piece of wood worth hundreds of dollars.”

14. Seniority Leads to Better Routes.

Drivers with more experience can bid for preferred routes. The most sought-after routes cover large areas with fewer stops, making rural routes a common choice for seasoned employees.

15. UPS Drivers Avoid Left Turns.

Through meticulous tracking of drivers (see #1), UPS discovered that “a major source of idle time was drivers making left turns, which disrupts traffic flow,” explained Elizabeth Rasberry, a former UPS PR manager. To address this, drivers are advised to follow right-hand loops to reach their destinations.

Today, most routes are planned to minimize left turns, and UPS claims this strategy has saved 100 million gallons of fuel and cut carbon emissions by 100,000 metric tons since 2004. This practice becomes second nature to drivers, even after they retire. As Dyer put it, “Even now, I’ll sit in traffic and mutter to the car ahead, ‘Turn right to go left!’”

16. They’re Observing You Closely.

“UPS drivers witness a lot,” shared a former driver with Mytour. Their observations go beyond packages. Through a slightly open door, drivers can infer details about your lifestyle. “We quickly form opinions. We notice if you have a maid, what meals you cook, or if you own a dog. We can even tell if you host parties or are going through a divorce.”

17. Yes, Some People Try to Flirt with Them.

“There’s always someone on your route who might show romantic interest,” a former UPS driver revealed to Mytour. “Male drivers often share stories of women answering the door in revealing outfits, and female drivers experience similar advances from men. It happened to me on two occasions.”

18. They Handle Some Unusual Deliveries.

Some memorable deliveries include: In 1987, UPS transported a refrigerator-sized chunk of iceberg to a children’s museum in Venezuela. In 2007, two whales were delivered from Taiwan to Atlanta. And in 2008, a collection of 2200-year-old Chinese terracotta warriors and horses was shipped by UPS to four museums in the U.S. for display.