Your phone is one of the most useful tools you have on a delivery shift.
On a multi-drop route, you use it to follow your delivery app, check the next address, take photos of safe places and stay in touch with your team. But the delivery app is not the only one worth having. The right extra apps can save you a few minutes on every drop, and over a full route of around nine hours, those minutes add up fast.
In this guide, we look at the five types of app that every delivery driver should set up, why each one helps and how to use them safely. None of them cost much, and most are free. Set them up once and let them do the work.
At Skilled Solutions, we recruit multi-drop delivery drivers for carriers including Amazon Logistics and DPD across Essex, London, Kent and West Sussex. Our drivers use their own smartphones on every shift, so we know how much difference a well set-up phone can make.
First, the app you will use most: your delivery app
On our multi-drop routes, drivers use a delivery app on their own phone. It gives you your route, guides you from stop to stop and lets you record each delivery with a photo, signature or safe place note. We train every new driver on how the app works, so you do not need any experience before you start.
The apps below do not replace the delivery app. They sit alongside it and help with the things it is not designed for, such as finding the cheapest fuel, planning around the weather or keeping track of your mileage and expenses.
1. What3Words for addresses that do not show up properly on maps
Every delivery driver has been there. The app says you have arrived, but you are looking at a hedge, a farm gate or the back of an industrial unit. Some addresses simply do not map well, especially new-build estates, rural properties, business parks and large blocks of flats.
What3Words divides the world into three-metre squares and gives each one a unique combination of three words. If a customer or business shares their three words, you can find the exact spot, whether that is a side door, a loading bay or a particular block entrance.
Why it helps:
- Finds precise drop points on large sites.
- Saves time walking up and down looking for the right door.
- Helps on rural routes where postcodes cover a wide area.
Many businesses and some customers now include their What3Words address in delivery notes, so it is worth having the app ready to go.
2. Google Maps or Waze for live traffic and roadworks
Your delivery app handles your route, but a traffic app gives you a bigger picture of what is happening on the roads around you. Google Maps and Waze both show live traffic, accidents, closures and roadworks.
Google Maps is great for general navigation, street view and checking what a street or building looks like before you arrive. Street view is particularly handy for spotting parking or working out where the front door is.
Waze relies on reports from other drivers, so it is often quick to flag hazards, broken-down vehicles and sudden hold-ups.
Why it helps:
- Warns you about delays before you reach them.
- Helps you plan your journey to the delivery station in the morning.
- Lets you check a tricky location using street view.
This is especially useful on busy routes in areas like Barking, Bow and Basildon, where traffic can change quickly throughout the day.
3. A fuel finder app to spot the cheapest pumps on your route
Fuel is one of the biggest running costs for any driver. Prices can vary a lot between petrol stations, even ones just a mile or two apart. A fuel finder app shows you nearby prices so you can fill up where it is cheapest.
Apps such as PetrolPrices compare prices at stations near you or along your route. Some supermarket apps also show their own fuel prices and offers.
Why it helps:
- Saves money every time you fill up.
- Helps you plan fuel stops on or near your route.
- Stops you getting caught short in an area you do not know well.
Small savings on each fill add up to a lot over a year of full-time driving.
4. A mileage and expenses tracker if you are self-employed
Many multi-drop roles in the UK are self-employed. If that applies to you, keeping good records is essential for your tax return. The easiest way to do this is with an app that tracks your mileage and stores your receipts as you go.
Mileage tracking apps, such as MileIQ, use your phone’s location to log journeys automatically. Expense apps let you photograph receipts for things like fuel, van hire, phone costs and work clothing so you do not lose them. The official HMRC app is also useful for checking your tax details and payments.
Why it helps:
- Keeps accurate records with very little effort.
- Makes self-assessment much less stressful at the end of the year.
- Helps you see what you are really earning after costs.
If you are unsure about tax as a self-employed driver, ask us at interview. We talk every driver through the working arrangement before they start.
5. A decent weather app so you can plan your kit before you set off
Delivery drivers spend a lot of time in and out of the van, so the weather has a big effect on your day. A reliable weather app, such as the Met Office app, helps you decide what to wear and what to pack before you leave the house.
Why it helps:
- Tells you whether to bring waterproofs, extra layers or sun cream.
- Warns you about ice, fog, strong winds or heavy rain.
- Helps you prepare for slower driving conditions.
A few minutes checking the forecast in the morning can make a long shift in bad weather much more comfortable.
Bonus apps worth considering
Beyond the five essentials, a few other apps can make life easier on the road:
- A parking app for paying for parking quickly in towns and cities.
- A notes app for jotting down useful details about regular addresses, such as gate codes or where to leave parcels.
- A battery saver or power bank app to help your phone last through a long shift.
- WhatsApp for keeping in touch with your team and the recruitment office.
How to set up your phone for a delivery shift
Having the right apps is only half of it. Setting your phone up properly makes a big difference too.
Use a secure phone mount. Your phone should sit in a fixed holder where you can see it without picking it up.
Carry a charger and a power bank. Navigation, photos and mobile data use a lot of battery. A car charger and a backup power bank are a must.
Check your data plan. A full day of navigation and app use needs a decent mobile data allowance.
Turn off distracting notifications. Silence social media and games while you are working.
Keep your apps updated. Updates often fix bugs and improve accuracy.
Using your phone safely on the road
This is the most important section in this guide. Apps are there to help you, but you must never let them put you or anyone else at risk.
In the UK, it is illegal to hold and use a phone while driving. That includes checking a map, reading a message or taking a photo, even if you are stopped at traffic lights or queuing in traffic. The penalties include points on your licence and a fine, and new drivers can lose their licence altogether. GOV.UK sets out the full rules on using a mobile phone while driving.
To stay safe and legal:
- Set your route before you pull away.
- Use a phone mount and hands-free features only.
- Pull over safely and park before you check the next drop, record a delivery or take a photo.
- Never type, scroll or browse while the engine is running and you are in control of the vehicle.
Your licence is your job. Protecting it is always worth the few extra seconds it takes to pull over.
Why these small tools make a big difference
A delivery route is made up of lots of small tasks. Finding an address a minute faster, avoiding one traffic jam or saving a few pence per litre on fuel might not sound like much on its own. Across a full shift, and across a full year, those small gains add up to less stress, more time and more money in your pocket.
Good habits also help you stay focused and positive over long days. If you want more tips on that, our guide on staying motivated during long shifts is full of practical advice from drivers.
Where Skilled Solutions is hiring now
If you have your phone ready and want to put these apps to work, we are currently recruiting multi-drop delivery drivers in:
- Barking, Essex, advertised from £184.75
- Bow, East London, advertised from £204.25
- Maidstone, Kent, advertised from £184.75
- Basildon, Essex, advertised from £184.75
Our multi drop delivery vacancy in Barking, Essex is a good place to start if you live in east London or south Essex. You can also browse our wider range of van driver jobs across Essex, London, Kent and West Sussex, with new routes opening regularly.
Apply to drive with Skilled Solutions
You do not need delivery experience to join us. If you have held a full UK or EU driving licence for at least one year, have a smartphone and are happy to complete a DBS check, we would love to hear from you. We provide training at no cost and can help you secure a rental van.
Apply online in a few minutes, email your CV to recruitment@skso.co.uk, or call or WhatsApp our team on 01268 203504 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Get your apps set up, charge your phone and let us help you get on the road.
