The daily schedules for drivers at UPS are highly dynamic and depend significantly on the specific job function and geographic location. Total hours worked are determined by the type of freight being moved, whether it is local delivery or long-haul transport, and the time of year. Understanding the structure of these varied roles helps determine the typical work obligations for employees.
Defining the Major Driver Categories
The driver workforce is split into two distinct operational groups, each with unique responsibilities that shape their schedules. Package Car Drivers operate the familiar brown delivery vehicles for local package pickup and delivery routes. Their work keeps them within a defined service area, returning to the same facility daily. Feeder Drivers operate tractor-trailers to move large volumes of freight between the company’s sorting hubs and terminals. This function involves long-distance, high-capacity transport, resulting in a different framework for their work hours.
Typical Daily Hours for Package Delivery Drivers
Package Car Drivers operate on a schedule designed to maximize daytime delivery efficiency. Full-time drivers typically begin their day early, often clocking in around 8:00 AM or earlier to perform vehicle inspections and load packages. The workday often extends well beyond the standard eight hours. Drivers are expected to work a full five-day week, Monday through Friday, with Saturdays sometimes utilized for additional coverage.
A typical shift often spans from nine to twelve hours, depending on the route density and the daily volume of packages. The workday is structured around the principle that the driver must stay on the route until all scheduled deliveries and pickups are completed. This expectation often results in mandatory overtime, where the driver continues working past their scheduled end time to finish the daily assignment.
Scheduling and Regulations for Feeder Drivers
Feeder Drivers adhere to a different schedule due to the logistics of moving freight between facilities. Many hub-to-hub runs occur overnight to ensure packages are ready for local sorting and delivery the following morning. This focus on nighttime operations means that most Feeder Drivers work non-traditional hours, often starting their shifts in the late afternoon or evening.
Their schedules are strongly influenced by federal guidelines that govern maximum driving time and required rest periods. While some routes are consistently set, others are irregular and depend on the immediate demand for freight movement between terminals. These long-haul assignments can necessitate extended layovers away from the home terminal, differentiating their work environment from local delivery drivers.
Variations in Hours for Part-Time and Seasonal Drivers
The company utilizes various non-standard schedules to manage the fluctuating volume of packages throughout the year. Part-time employees work short shifts, usually ranging from three to five hours. These shifts are concentrated in the morning for vehicle preload or in the evening for the outbound sorting process. This split of hours helps facilities process the incoming and outgoing flow of packages efficiently.
The most pronounced change in work hours occurs during the annual Peak Season, which runs from November through January. During this period, full-time drivers are frequently required to work six days a week to meet the increased demand. Daily hours can extend significantly, sometimes reaching up to fourteen hours in high-volume regions. The company also temporarily employs Personal Vehicle Drivers (PVDs) to supplement the fleet. PVD hours are highly variable and temporary, focused solely on residential deliveries to alleviate the burden on main Package Car routes.
Contractual and Regulatory Limits on Work Hours
The maximum number of hours drivers can be required to work is governed by both internal agreements and federal law. The National Master Agreement, negotiated with the Teamsters Union, provides specific protections against excessive mandatory overtime for Package Car Drivers. A provision allows full-time drivers to sign the “9.5 list,” which restricts their average workday to nine and a half hours.
If a driver on this list consistently exceeds this average over a set period, the company must provide financial penalties and schedule adjustments to correct the overages. For Feeder Drivers, work hours are strictly controlled by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules. These regulations limit the maximum amount of time a commercial driver can be on duty and behind the wheel each day and week. HOS rules mandate rest breaks and cap driving time to prevent fatigue, ensuring safety across the long-haul network.