Please Note
- An estimate based on public data for similar roles. Not provided by the employer.
Postal Delivery Driver (Postie)
Role summary
Written by MyIslandJob from the job title and employer. See the employer's page for the full description.
Royal Mail Postal Delivery Drivers, commonly called Posties, collect, sort and deliver letters and parcels safely and on time across an assigned route. The role typically requires a valid UK driving licence, safe and confident driving, good fitness, reliability and the ability to work outdoors in changing weather. Candidates should have good customer-service and communication skills, be comfortable working independently, and manage time effectively. Duties may include loading delivery vehicles, walking sections of the route, obtaining signatures, using handheld technology and following Royal Mail security and health-and-safety procedures. Flexibility is expected, as working hours may include mornings, weekends and busy seasonal periods. Previous delivery experience is useful but often not essential, as training is provided.
Can I work in the UK?
Never pay anyone for a visa or a job offer. A real employer pays the permit costs and never asks you for money.
How it works
How it works: Warehouse, driver and operations jobs are below degree level and cannot be sponsored; only managers can, and logistics managers only while on the shortage list.
Before you apply: Driver jobs need a licence that counts in that country, and a foreign one may not carry over: Japan's truck-driver visa asks for a class 1 licence, Qatar residents sit a driving test, and Ireland's permit list asks for a CE or C1E truck licence or one it recognises.
Watch for: Logistics managers are on the interim shortage list today, but the July 2026 review did not recommend them from January 2027. Youth schemes are the usual way in for Canadians, Australians and Indians.
Official source: GOV.UK: Immigration Rules, Appendix Skilled Occupations. Checked November 2026.
What the job usually comes with in the UK
Usual for Logistics jobs in the UK, varies by employer. Checked November 2026.
| Housing | Not usually provided; you rent privately |
|---|---|
| Relocation | Visa fee is yours (GBP 819; GBP 324 health and care) unless the employer pays; moving help varies |
| Flights | Not standard; varies by employer and seniority |
| Pay and overtime | Pay starts at the National Living Wage, GBP 12.71 an hour from 1 April 2026 (age 21 and over, by law) |
| Contract | Permanent is usual; sponsored work visas last up to 5 years at a time |
| Leave | At least 28 days for a 5-day week (by law); employers may count bank holidays in it |
| Income tax | 0% to GBP 12,570, 20% to GBP 50,270, then 40%; plus 8% National Insurance (Scotland differs) |
Senior staff often get more than line staff, for example a single room or a yearly home flight. Ask the employer what the job includes before you accept.
Guidance, not legal advice. Rules change; your employer confirms the details for your case.
Working in the UK
Who can work there by passport, what a job usually includes, and island life.
About Royal Mail Group
Royal Mail Group is one of the United Kingdom’s best-known postal and delivery organisations. Its principal consumer-facing brand, Royal Mail, provides letter and parcel delivery services throughout the UK, serving households, businesses and public-sector customers. The group also operates international parcel and logistics services through associated businesses, including General Logistics Systems (GLS). Royal Mail has a nationwide network of delivery offices, processing centres, vehicles and postboxes, supported by thousands of employees. Its workforce includes postal delivery workers, drivers, engineers, operations staff, technology specialists and corporate teams. The company plays an important role in connecting communities and supporting e-commerce, particularly through parcel deliveries. Employees are generally expected to demonstrate reliability, customer focus, safe working practices and teamwork while handling demanding workloads and changing delivery volumes.