Truck driving jobs vary in terms of the amount of time spent on the road, the geographic areas covered, and the type of goods transported. Local truck drivers, for example, might make several deliveries in a single day and return home each night. Long-haul truck drivers, on the other hand, might be away from home for days or weeks at a time.
Most truck driving jobs require a commercial driver’s license (CDL), which can be obtained by passing a written exam and a skills test. Most trucking companies also require drivers to have a clean driving record, and to pass a background check and drug test. There are many different types of truck driving jobs, each with its own set of responsibilities and duties.
Some of the most common truck driving jobs include:
Local truck driver: A local truck driver transports goods within a specific geographic area. This type of driver might deliver to businesses in a city or town, or to distribution centers or warehouses.
Regional truck driver: A regional truck driver transports goods over a specific region of the country. This type of driver might deliver to businesses in several states, or to distribution centers or warehouses located in several states.
Long-haul truck driver: A long-haul truck driver transports goods over long distances, sometimes crossing state lines or international borders. This type of driver might deliver to businesses in different parts of the country, or to distribution centers or warehouses located in other countries.
Specialized truck driver: A specialized truck driver transports goods that require special handling or equipment. This type of driver might deliver to businesses that sell or use hazardous materials, or to distribution centers or warehouses that store these materials.
Tanker truck driver: A tanker truck driver transports liquids or gases in large tanks. This type of driver might deliver to businesses that use these materials, or to distribution centers or warehouses that store them.
Flatbed truck driver: A flatbed truck driver transports goods on a flatbed trailer. This type of driver might deliver to businesses that use or sell large pieces of machinery or equipment, or to distribution centers or warehouses that store these items.
Car hauler: A car hauler transports automobiles on a flatbed trailer. This type of driver might deliver to businesses that sell or repair automobiles, or to distribution centers or warehouses that store these vehicles.
Refrigerated truck driver: A refrigerated truck driver transports perishable goods in a refrigerated trailer. This type of driver might deliver to businesses that sell or use these materials, or to distribution centers or warehouses that store them.
Dump truck driver: A dump truck driver transports loose materials like sand, gravel, or dirt in a dump truck. This type of driver might deliver to businesses that use these materials, or to construction sites.
There are many different types of truck driving jobs, each with its own set of responsibilities and duties. The right job for you will depend on your skills, experience, and preferences. Do some research to find the right truck driving job for you.