Transportation

To Become Delivery Driver (G License) (Courier Amazon Purolator UPS) in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

by Occupations.ca Team
10 min read

Have you ever wondered what a typical day looks like for a Delivery Driver in Ontario with a G licence—dropping off parcels for Amazon, Purolator, or UPS—while navigating traffic, weather, and tight timelines? If you enjoy being on the road and working independently, this role might be a strong fit for you.

Job Description

Delivery Drivers with a G licence deliver packages to homes and businesses across Ontario using cars, SUVs, or cargo vans under 11,000 kg (no air brakes). You may work for a large courier firm (such as Amazon DSPs, Purolator, UPS, FedEx Ground) or for a smaller local company. Some roles are employee positions (company vehicle provided), while others are independent contractor roles (you use your own insured vehicle).

Daily Work Activities

  • Start your shift at a depot or Warehouse, pick up your route, scan parcels, load your vehicle safely and logically.
  • Follow optimized routes using a handheld device or app (GPS enabled).
  • Deliver packages to doorsteps, parcel lockers, reception desks, and shipping/receiving docks.
  • Interact with customers, obtain signatures as required, and provide friendly service.
  • Follow company and legal Safety rules, including hands-free driving and safe lifting.
  • Record deliveries, exceptions (e.g., address issues), and returns at end of shift.

Main Tasks (bullet points)

  • Safely operate a G-licence vehicle (car, SUV, or cargo van) in all weather conditions.
  • Scan, sort, load, and secure parcels; perform pre-trip vehicle checks.
  • Navigate routes efficiently; update delivery status in real time (scanning device/app).
  • Handle packages (often up to 23–32 kg / 50–70 lb) using proper lifting techniques.
  • Communicate with dispatch, customers, and supervisors; resolve delivery issues.
  • Follow company procedures for signatures, proof of delivery, and safe drop policies.
  • Comply with Ontario traffic laws (e.g., no handheld devices while driving) and company safety standards.
  • Complete end-of-day tasks: returns, depot check-in, reporting.

Required Education

Most Delivery Driver (G Licence) roles in Ontario do not require Post-Secondary Education. Employers focus on your driving record, reliability, fitness for the job, and customer-service skills. However, certain certificates and optional diplomas can strengthen your profile and help you move up.

Diplomas and Certificates

  • G Licence: Required. You must hold a valid Ontario Class G driver’s licence with a clean driving record.
  • Short Certificates (strongly recommended by many employers):
    • Defensive Driving (1 day).
    • Standard First Aid & CPR (1–2 days).
    • WHMIS and basic TDG awareness (depending on employer and products moved).
  • Optional College Credentials (useful for advancement to lead hand, dispatcher, or supervisor):
    • Ontario College Certificate in logistics/Supply Chain (typically 1 year).
    • Ontario College Diploma in supply chain/operations (2 years).
    • Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management (1 year, requires prior diploma/degree).
    • Bachelor’s Degree in business or supply chain (4 years) if you want long-term management paths.
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Length of Studies

  • G licence progression (if you are new to Ontario licensing): usually 20–24 months from G1 to full G without driver education; can be shorter with an approved driving school.
  • Defensive Driving: 1 day.
  • First Aid & CPR: 1–2 days.
  • WHMIS/TDG awareness: a few hours to 1 day.
  • Ontario College Certificate: 8–12 months.
  • Ontario College Diploma: 2 years.
  • Graduate Certificate: 8–12 months.
  • Bachelor’s Degree: ~4 years.

Where to Study? (Ontario-focused)

Licensing, driver Training, and safety:

College programs in Ontario (for advancement in logistics/operations):

  • Program search (Ontario Colleges): https://www.ontariocolleges.ca/en/programs
    • Search terms: “Supply Chain,” “Logistics,” “Operations,” “Transportation.”
    • Popular colleges with strong logistics programs include Humber, Seneca, George Brown, Conestoga, Fanshawe, Sheridan, and Mohawk (use the search portal above to find the latest programs and intakes).

New to Ontario?

Background checks (often required to be “bondable”):

Salary and Working Conditions

Salary in Ontario

Pay varies by employer, region, union status, and whether you use your own vehicle.

  • Entry-level employee driver (G licence, company vehicle): typically $18–$23 per hour in many parts of Ontario.
  • Experienced employee driver (G licence): typically $24–$30+ per hour; unionized roles at major couriers (e.g., Purolator, UPS) can be higher and include Benefits and pensions.
  • Independent contractor using your own vehicle (e.g., some local couriers or app-based work): income varies widely. Rates may be per stop, per route, or per block. You must factor in vehicle costs (fuel, Maintenance, tires, Insurance), self-employment taxes, and downtime. Some contractors effectively earn $20–$35+ per hour gross before expenses, depending on the contract and efficiency.

To research current wages and job outlooks in Ontario by region, use the Government of Canada’s Job Bank:

Tip: In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and other large centres, wages may be higher but traffic and Parking challenges can reduce earnings per hour.

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Working Conditions

  • Schedule: Early mornings, daytime, evenings, and weekend shifts are common. Peak periods (especially the winter holiday season) mean longer days and overtime.
  • Physical demands: Frequent lifting, bending, and walking; climbing stairs; handling packages up to 23–32 kg (50–70 lb). You’ll work outdoors in heat, rain, snow, and ice.
  • Pace: Fast-paced with tight timelines, scanning and delivery targets, and on-the-spot problem-solving.
  • Vehicle: Company-provided (Purolator/UPS) or your own (some local couriers, app models). Winter tires and routine maintenance are crucial for Ontario conditions.
  • Safety and Compliance:
  • Employment Standards in Ontario (hours of work, overtime, public holidays): https://www.ontario.ca/document/your-guide-employment-standards-act-0
  • Workers’ compensation (employees are usually covered; contractors should review obligations): Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB): https://www.wsib.ca

Job Outlook

Demand for delivery drivers remains stable to strong in Ontario due to e-commerce growth, urban density, and regional distribution networks. Outlook can be seasonal and region-specific. Check the latest provincial and local outlook on Job Bank:

Key Skills

Soft Skills

  • Time management and punctuality to meet delivery windows.
  • Customer Service: polite, patient, and solution-focused at the door.
  • Communication: clear updates to dispatch and customers.
  • Stress tolerance: staying calm in traffic, winter weather, or route changes.
  • Problem solving: handling access issues, missing buzzer codes, or address discrepancies.
  • Reliability: consistent attendance and careful handling of goods.

Hard Skills

  • Safe driving in all Ontario conditions (snow, ice, heavy rain).
  • Navigation using GPS/apps; adapting routes for road closures or Construction.
  • Scanning and mobile apps: parcel scanning, proof-of-delivery photos/signatures, exception codes.
  • Material handling: proper lifting, use of dollies/hand trucks, load securing.
  • Basic vehicle checks: tires, fluids, lights, and recognizing issues early.
  • Regulatory awareness: Ontario traffic laws, WHMIS basics, TDG awareness for restricted items.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Active, independent work: you’re not sitting at a desk.
  • Quick entry: if you have a G licence and clean record, you can start quickly.
  • Transferable skills: navigation, customer service, time management.
  • Earning potential: strong wages with major couriers; overtime in peak seasons.
  • Career paths: lead driver, dispatcher, route planner, operations supervisor, or transition to DZ/AZ trucking with further training.

Disadvantages

  • Physical strain: lifting, stairs, and long hours on your feet.
  • Weather exposure: snow, ice, and summer heat in Ontario.
  • Traffic and parking stress: especially in downtown areas.
  • Injury risk: slips, trips, strains; safety training is essential.
  • Variable income as a contractor: vehicle costs and downtime reduce net earnings.
  • Peak season pressure: longer days and high parcel volumes.

Expert Opinion

If you are new to delivery driving in Ontario, start by building a strong foundation: a clean driver’s abstract, knowledge of Ontario road rules, and reliable time management. Employers look closely at your driving record (tickets and at-fault collisions), your ability to lift safely, and your customer-service attitude. A short Defensive Driving course and First Aid/CPR can set you apart during hiring.

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Decide early whether you prefer to be an employee driver (often steadier pay, benefits, and company vehicle) or an independent contractor (flexibility but more responsibility for expenses, taxes, and insurance). In Ontario, if you use your own vehicle for courier work, make sure your insurance policy includes business use or commercial coverage—a personal policy often does not cover deliveries. Review guidance from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA): https://www.fsrao.ca/consumers/auto-insurance and the Ontario auto insurance overview: https://www.ontario.ca/page/auto-insurance.

To advance, consider short logistics or Leadership certificates from Ontario colleges. Within a year or two of solid performance, you can move into route lead, dispatcher, or operations coordinator roles. If you love being on the road and want bigger vehicles or long-haul opportunities, explore D/Z or AZ licensing later; note that this requires additional training and certification beyond the G licence.

Finally, protect your health and safety. Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, you have the right to know about hazards, the right to participate in health and safety matters, and the right to refuse unsafe work: https://www.ontario.ca/page/occupational-health-and-safety. Wear proper footwear, use safe lifting techniques, and keep winter gear in your vehicle.

FAQ

Do I need my own vehicle, or will the company provide one?

It depends on the employer. Many large couriers in Ontario (e.g., UPS, Purolator) typically provide a company vehicle for employee drivers. Amazon has both models: Delivery Service Partners (DSPs) usually provide vans, while some independent contractor options require you to use your own insured vehicle. Always confirm during hiring. If you use your own car, ensure your policy includes business use or commercial coverage and budget for fuel, maintenance, tires, and depreciation.

What kind of insurance do I need in Ontario if I deliver with my own car?

You generally need a policy that covers commercial use or a business-use endorsement—personal auto insurance often excludes courier or ride-for-hire activities. Speak with your insurer or broker and disclose the nature of your work. For consumer information about auto insurance in Ontario, see FSRA: https://www.fsrao.ca/consumers/auto-insurance and Ontario’s auto insurance page: https://www.ontario.ca/page/auto-insurance.

How clean must my driving record be to get hired?

Employers usually request a Driver’s Abstract and prefer few or no demerit points, with no recent at-fault collisions or serious offences (e.g., impaired, stunt driving, handheld device use). Company standards vary, but many expect fewer than 3 demerit points and no serious convictions in the past 3 years. Learn about demerit points: https://www.ontario.ca/page/demerit-points and distracted driving fines/penalties: https://www.ontario.ca/page/distracted-driving.

Are there background checks?

Yes, most delivery jobs require you to be bondable, which means passing a criminal record check. Some clients (e.g., airports, secure facilities) may require enhanced screening. For an overview of criminal record checks (completed through your local Ontario police service), see the RCMP page: https://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/criminal-record-checks.

What equipment and gear should I have to work safely through Ontario winters?

  • Insulated, slip-resistant footwear; consider ice cleats for icy days.
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, waterproof shell, winter gloves, hat).
  • Small shovel and windshield scraper/snow brush.
  • High-visibility vest (if required by employer).
  • Hand truck/dolly and straps (usually provided).
  • Fully charged phone and power bank; vehicle emergency kit.
  • Winter tires (highly recommended for your own vehicle from late fall to early spring in Ontario).

Remember to follow your employer’s policies, Ontario traffic laws, and safety training. If you pursue this path with the right preparation and attitude, the Delivery Driver (G Licence) role can be a reliable gateway into Ontario’s fast-growing transportation and logistics sector.

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