How Does an Ice Cream Truck Driver Spend a Workday?

Start the Day Early

An ice cream truck driver's day starts early in the morning long before neighborhoods hear that familiar jingle or bell coming down their streets.
People often envision a driver getting to sleep late, since most trucks don't show up in neighborhoods until noon or after. Selling the ice cream is actually just a portion of the job. First you have to have something to sell.
That involves going to pick up your product and making several decisions about what product to restock, how much cash to keep back and how much to turn in, record keeping, planning routes and checking traffic reports.

Early Morning Tasks

The day starts by going to headquarters and doing a check in. This is the time when the driver turns in the previous day's profits. Each ice cream vendor company has its own policies concerning cash turn in. Some may want it all and then pay the drivers back in a paycheck each week. Some companies allow you to decide when to turn in the profits. After doing the cash turn in, a driver is free to restock his truck. This involves more than ice cream, and each driver makes selections based on what sells best on his routes. The selection is always changing, since the consumers are usually kids or parents buying for kids. Kids can be a fickle bunch, especially when they want what everyone else wants. It only takes one child to turn a treat into a trend.
Choices involve a wide variety of candy, chips and sodas in addition to the ice cream. The products offered have a wide variety of prices.

Once you have chosen your products and restocked your truck, a route check is done for any road construction or closings. Then check to see that your truck is working properly. Check the tires and confirm that all safety equipment such as expanding safety signs are working properly. Also be sure to check your freezers. A freezer that breaks down causes a huge mess and loss of money. It's one of the worst things that can happen in an ice cream truck driver's day.

Get Rolling

Most routes cover mile upon mile of neighborhoods, parks and wherever children gather. Ring the bell or turn on your music and speakers as you enter into the area. Plan to make two to three runs through the area. All one run does is let people know you are there and leave a lot of unhappy kids and parents when they can't get to you in time. If the stop is an apartment complex or a park, there may be one spot you can stop every day that is off the road and safe. The kids will know to meet you there every day around the same time. The day is spent continuing on your route, making runs through each stop on your route.

End-of-the-Day Tasks

On the way home, drivers usually stop and fill the gas tank for the next day. Then the truck is taken back to headquarters or, depending on the company, driven home at night.
Once home, the day does not end. First, the stock needs to be checked and counted to plan for your product order the next morning. Take notes so you don't lose count. Also, notes are taken about any lost product like a dropped unnoticed ice cream bar that has now melted. Lock the doors so product is not stolen. Count the money and do record keeping of profit that day, expenses such as gas and any product you consumed personally, like a soda. Once all records are finished, then the money is counted again to double check. There is usually a lot of change, so it is best to roll it. Most drivers are considered self-employed, so they pay themselves daily after taking out what is owed for the product.

A Couple of Considerations

To be a ice cream truck driver, you have to like kids, because this is who most of your customers will be. A driver has to be patient because some kids will pick an higher-priced item and give you a handful of sticky pennies that does not cover the cost. Some drivers keep a extra change jar handy of pennies and nickels to put in the extra while explaining nicely next time they needed to bring an adult and have enough money.
Many states require permits to be an ice cream truck driver. Often, the company will pay for and provide these, but it's the driver's responsibility to be able to prove he has a current permit.
Being an ice cream truck driver is a seasonal job in some states due to winter.

Resources

• Ice Cream Truck Vendor Directory