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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

  • Bright Outlook
  • Numerous Job Openings

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.

What you’d do

  • Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
  • Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
  • Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
  • Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
  • Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
  • Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
  • Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
  • Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.

Skills that matter

  • Operation and Control
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking

How to get there

Little to some preparation: usually a high school diploma or GED, though some jobs do not need one

Also called

  • Driver
  • Line Haul Driver
  • Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver)
  • Truck Driver
  • CDL Driver (Commercial Driver's License Driver)
  • Log Truck Driver

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