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What is an auto transport driver and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being an auto transport driver. For example, did you know that they make an average of $24.74 an hour? That's $51,450 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 90,900 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreAuto Transport DriverUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,450

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
7.3

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.78%

Asian 3.45%

Black or African American 13.27%

Hispanic or Latino 17.64%

Unknown 4.57%

White 60.29%

Gender

female 12.80%

male 87.20%

Age - 49
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49
Stress level
7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
1.4

Work life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Auto transport driver career paths

Key steps to become an auto transport driver

  1. Explore auto transport driver education requirements

    Most common auto transport driver degrees

    High School Diploma

    40.7 %

    Bachelor's

    19.5 %

    Associate

    16.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific auto transport driver skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Transport Vehicles44.93%
    CDL18.44%
    Customer Service6.73%
    Load Vehicles5.77%
    TWIC5.70%
  3. Complete relevant auto transport driver training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New auto transport drivers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an auto transport driver based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real auto transport driver resumes.
  4. Research auto transport driver duties and responsibilities

    • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
    • Drive tractor-trailer combination applying knowledge of commercial driving regulations, to transport and deliver general commodities.
    • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.
  5. Prepare your auto transport driver resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your auto transport driver resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an auto transport driver resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable auto transport driver resume templates

    Build a professional auto transport driver resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your auto transport driver resume.
    Auto Transport Driver Resume
    Auto Transport Driver Resume
    Auto Transport Driver Resume
    Auto Transport Driver Resume
    Auto Transport Driver Resume
    Auto Transport Driver Resume
    Auto Transport Driver Resume
    Auto Transport Driver Resume
    Auto Transport Driver Resume
  6. Apply for auto transport driver jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an auto transport driver job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first auto transport driver job

Zippi

Are you an auto transport driver?

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Average auto transport driver salary

The average auto transport driver salary in the United States is $51,450 per year or $25 per hour. Auto transport driver salaries range between $35,000 and $73,000 per year.

Average auto transport driver salary
$51,450 Yearly
$24.74 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do auto transport drivers rate their job?

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Auto transport driver reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2020
Cons

You can make enough money to support your family but you will not be a very big part of that family. Not family oriented, always gone. Missing out on your family's life.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Cons

constant micro management and nutty safety policies. drivers held accountable to absolute perfection while the rest including management can be inept.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Cons

Dishonesty, not getting the quality in engineering as expected for the price


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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