6 Things Drivers Actually Want in a Delivery App

Drivers aren’t asking for much. They basically just want tools that make their job easier, not harder. They want a really good delivery app.

Sounds obvious, right? But too many delivery apps are built with dashboards and management in mind, and NOT the people who ends up using it the most.

Let’s fix that.

The delivery app your drivers want

Here’s what drivers actually want in a delivery app, and why it matters for your whole business.

1. Real-time job info

This is a no brainer. Nothing’s worse than getting halfway through a run only to find out the route’s changed, but the poor driver wasn’t informed.

Drivers want:

• Live job updates when things change.
• Booking info that makes sense (names, drop-off notes, instructions).
• The ability to refresh or recheck a job without restarting the whole app.

This types of communication keeps everyone in your team on the same page. Think of it as communication that works both ways.

2. Clear navigation

Delivery drivers don’t want to fight with GPS. They just wasn’t clear navigation without the hassle. Your driver app should have this baked in.

But if your app makes drivers switch between three screens to get directions, they’re going to ignore it. Most drivers just want to hit “navigate” and get going.

A good delivery app with easy navigation builds customer loyalty too. According to Food Institute, 34% of customers who order food expect their meals within 30 minutes.

If your driver is stuck with the navigating process, it will mean irate and hungry clients…

So, keep both your drivers and your customers happy by ensuring your delivery app is designed for ease of use.

Built-in proof of delivery

Drivers really don’t want to chase customers for signatures. It’s very frustrating.

They also don’t want to get blamed for a package that was delivered, just without proof. A good delivery app will sort this out by letting drivers:

• Take a photo.
• Collect a digital signature.
• Add a note or timestamp.

Everything should save automatically. If there’s no need for a separate app or extra paperwork, it will be super easy to capture digital proof of delivery.

3. Notes that actually help

Delivery instructions matter. They really do.

Drivers want a delivery app with notes and updates that actually make sense. Even something as straightforward as “leave at gate”, or “ring bell twice” can make all the difference.

When clear notes and instructions are missing from the delivery process (or vague, or buried somewhere in an app), things go sideways.

Give your drivers want clear notes, easy to see, right where the job is listed. That’s it.

READ: What is driver application software? Your complete guide

4. Fast communication

Sometimes the customer’s not home. Or the gate won’t open. Or the job’s been canceled.

Drivers shouldn’t have to call the office every time something goes wrong. So, give them a delivery driver app that handles that smoothly.

They want in-app tools to:

• Message dispatch.
• Mark jobs as failed or skipped.
• Send notes back instantly.

And before you say they’re just being difficult… This isn’t just about convenience. It’s how you avoid delays and customer complaints.

5. A delivery app that’s reliable

Because a crashed app = rage. Even the best-looking app is useless if it freezes when you’re out on the road.

Especially when you’re mid navigation and don’t have the extra hands to deal with that, and steer the vehicle.

Drivers care about:

• Battery usage
• GPS bugs
• Laggy uploads or constant crashing

Your delivery app doesn’t need fancy animations. It needs to work. All day, every day.

6. Bonus: Respect for their time

Nobody wants to be micro-managed. And drivers are no different.

They don’t want to be tracked constantly without explanation. They also don’t want unfair ratings from customers, which is easy to get when their tech lets them down.

And they certainly don’t want confusing UX that adds extra stress and admin to their lives. They want tools that help them move fast and stay safe.

When the app (and their boss) respects their time, they’re way more likely to stick around.

Locate2u’s driver app approach

Locate2u’s driver app was built with actual drivers in mind.

It includes:

• Live job updates and booking details.
• Route optimization with instant turn-by-turn navigation.
• POD features like photo, signature, and notes.
• In-app job notes and booking instructions.
• Driver performance tracking that’s fair, not invasive.

It works offline too so drivers aren’t left hanging when reception drops.

And most importantly? It just works.

READ: What is a driver app? A comprehensive guide

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