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Car driver vs lead driver

The differences between car drivers and lead drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead driver has an average salary of $43,769, which is higher than the $36,587 average annual salary of a car driver.

The top three skills for a car driver include customer service, CDL and clean vehicle. The most important skills for a lead driver are DOT, work ethic, and CDL.

Car driver vs lead driver overview

Car DriverLead Driver
Yearly salary$36,587$43,769
Hourly rate$17.59$21.04
Growth rate20%4%
Number of jobs165,325821,463
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4748
Years of experience-2

What does a car driver do?

Car drivers are skilled professionals who are responsible for transporting clients comfortably and safely. These drivers are required to pick up clients from the place and time they have requested while using the GPS (Global Positioning System) to navigate and follow directions to transport them to their specified location. They are required to undergo a training program and certification testing to obtain the commercial driver's license (CDL) from the Department of Transportation. These drivers must also comply with the routine to clean vehicle interior to ensure optimal condition of vehicles.

What does a lead driver do?

Lead drivers are professionals who are responsible for supervising the staff drivers of either a logistics or trucking company. These lead drivers must manage the communication between drivers and personnel while generating dispatch reports base on their drivers' tracking logs. They must ensure that vehicles are fit for use according to the standards of the Department of Transportation (DOT) by checking engines and maintaining sufficient fluid levels of all vehicles. Lead drivers must also train and supervise new drivers about the company's policy and safety regulations.

Car driver vs lead driver salary

Car drivers and lead drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Car DriverLead Driver
Average salary$36,587$43,769
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $58,000Between $27,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNewark, NJ
Highest paying stateRhode IslandNew Hampshire
Best paying companyTeslaUnivar
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between car driver and lead driver education

There are a few differences between a car driver and a lead driver in terms of educational background:

Car DriverLead Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 39%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Car driver vs lead driver demographics

Here are the differences between car drivers' and lead drivers' demographics:

Car DriverLead Driver
Average age4748
Gender ratioMale, 72.2% Female, 27.8%Male, 86.7% Female, 13.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 9.4% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 3.4% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%4%

Differences between car driver and lead driver duties and responsibilities

Car driver example responsibilities.

  • Use of tools and equipment such as drill, ratchet, hedge trimmer , 36' mowers.
  • DOT regulate paperwork and schedule.
  • Complete vouchers and fax to Medicaid.
  • Receive certification in first aid and CPR.
  • Keep all information confidential and abide by HIPPA regulations.
  • Log book use recording times of pickup and drop off.
  • Show more

Lead driver example responsibilities.

  • Manage the Lincoln driver workgroup.
  • Transport freight OTR and train drivers.
  • Train new drivers on all aspects of OTR driving.
  • Investigate driver accidents and injuries and review driver CDL license and medical cards.
  • Position require various FAA and Hazmat certifications.
  • Recognize by manager for implementing significant cost saving strategies relate to meeting drug testing requirements for CDL professionals
  • Show more

Car driver vs lead driver skills

Common car driver skills
  • Customer Service, 46%
  • CDL, 15%
  • Clean Vehicle, 7%
  • Relevant Safety Regulations, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Medical Appointments, 4%
Common lead driver skills
  • DOT, 28%
  • Work Ethic, 16%
  • CDL, 10%
  • OTR, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Tractor Trailer, 3%

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