Mohammed, 27, works for Evri. He asked not to share his surname as he’s still employed by the company — but he’s open about the realities of life behind the wheel.
“Yeah, I’ve thrown parcels,” he admits. “But it’s not because I don’t care. It’s usually because I can’t get to the door — locked gates, no access, or a big dog roaming around. If it’s a padded item, like clothes, and I know it won’t break, I’ll gently drop it over the fence.”
There’s another reason too — and it’s all about speed.
“Fridays are mad. It’s when I try to earn the most. I’ll have up to 110 parcels and I need to be quick. I don’t have five minutes for every door. The quicker I work, the more I make — so yeah, sometimes I move fast.”
3 Tips from Experts to Help Delivery Drivers
Motoring experts at Number 1 Plates say that customers can play a big role in ensuring safe, smooth deliveries – and avoiding tossed parcels.
Here are their top three tips, based on real delivery driver feedback:
1. Leave Your Gate Unlocked (If Safe to Do So)
“Drivers often can’t access front doors due to locked gates. Leaving a gate open on delivery days or adding a note with instructions helps hugely.”
A locked gate with no sign of access is one of the top reasons parcels get left outside or dropped over a fence.
2. Keep Pets Secure
“Even friendly dogs can make drivers hesitate. If a dog is roaming freely, a driver may skip the delivery or be forced to leave it in an awkward spot.”
Mohammed confirms: “I’ve had dogs bark and block the path — I’m not risking it. I’ll stay back if there’s no one to help.”
3. Add a Visible Door Number or Sign
“It sounds basic, but unclear or missing house numbers slow everything down. Especially in bad weather or after dark.”
A clear number, even printed on the bin or wall, makes locating the right address faster — and means your parcel is more likely to land exactly where it should.
Final Word from Mohammed:
“We want to get it right. A few small things from the customer’s side really help — I’ll do my best if I can actually get to your door.”
