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What does a cdl driver do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Don Lefeve
What does a cdl driver do

A CDL driver is responsible for the transportation of goods from the manufacturing warehouse to specific store locations. CDL drivers' duties include inspecting the items before and after the delivery to ensure that the orders are correct with the right quantity, providing proof of delivery from the receiving customers, following the delivery schedule and report any delays immediately, monitoring the vehicle's engine for efficiency, and escalating concerns of incorrect deliveries and defective items. A CDL driver must have excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills, following safety procedures and road rules at all times.

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Cdl driver responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real cdl driver resumes:

  • Complete proper amount of OTR hours and training including school training to become CDL-A certify.
  • clean the delta airline of the meals, food, drinks for the next flight.
  • Pick up and deliver all kids of freight
  • Dedicate route driver for pet supplies company.
  • School bus driver transport kids to and from school
  • Obtain TWIC card for access to secure facilities.
  • Have a Twic card and current medical card.
  • Study GPS routes to judge the best way to reach the destination.
  • Move construction material such as rock, sand, asphalt, and concrete.
  • Transfer over to OTR due to shortage to of OTR drivers in the company.
  • Deliver Walmart surveillance equipment and do general OTR driving with 53 foot dry van.
  • Transport trench plates, loader, skip tractor, asphalt machine, and backhoe.
  • Deliver sprinkler systems/materials; CDL require.
  • Maintain CDL and require certifications to operate commercial trucks.
  • Attend annual driver improvement classes to maintain knowledge of safety and emergency procedures of transportation hazmat products.

Cdl driver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 17% of CDL Drivers are proficient in DOT, CDL-A, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Hearing ability, and Physical health.

We break down the percentage of CDL Drivers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • DOT, 17%

    Conducted periodical reviews of veteran drivers to address potential problem areas in following DOT laws, customer service and safety procedures

  • CDL-A, 13%

    Job duties - Drive CDL-A fuel transportation vehicles to fuel terminal fill fuel order onto vehicle.

  • Customer Service, 13%

    Added exceptional customer service and exception communication when asked for certain construction material needed for jobs.

  • OTR, 7%

    Gained my Class A CDL license and did two months of OTR training with loaded and empty reefer trailer

  • PET, 7%

    Traveled across the nation delivering tankers of pet supplies to destinations such as Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, and South Carolina

  • Hazmat, 6%

    Maintain Class A CDL with endorsements for HAZMAT, doubles/triples, tankers.

Common skills that a cdl driver uses to do their job include "dot," "cdl-a," and "customer service." You can find details on the most important cdl driver responsibilities below.

Hand-eye coordination. One of the key soft skills for a cdl driver to have is hand-eye coordination. You can see how this relates to what cdl drivers do because "drivers of heavy trucks and tractor-trailers must be able to coordinate their legs, hands, and eyes simultaneously so that they will react appropriately to the situation around them and drive the vehicle safely." Additionally, a cdl driver resume shows how cdl drivers use hand-eye coordination: "manage inventory -write orders - driving safely and following dot regulations skills used organization, time management, customer service and coordination"

Hearing ability. Another essential skill to perform cdl driver duties is hearing ability. Cdl drivers responsibilities require that "truck drivers need good hearing." Cdl drivers also use hearing ability in their role according to a real resume snippet: "transport and deliver customer goods while adhearing to strict deadlines and safety regulations for professional drivers. "

Physical health. cdl drivers are also known for physical health, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to cdl driver responsibilities, because "federal regulations do not allow people to become truck drivers if they have a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, which may interfere with their ability to operate a truck." A cdl driver resume example shows how physical health is used in the workplace: "maintain cdl with air brake certification and dot physical card. "

Visual ability. cdl driver responsibilities often require "visual ability." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests." This resume example shows what cdl drivers do with visual ability on a typical day: "operated a commercial passenger bus provided customer service maintained a safe driving record ability to visual inspect vehicle"

See the full list of cdl driver skills

The three companies that hire the most cdl drivers are:

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Compare different cdl drivers

Cdl driver vs. Truck driver-over-the-road

A truck driver-over-the-road (OTR) is an individual driver who specializes in hauling items such as heavy freight, machinery, or construction materials from a home terminal to delivery points. OTR truck drivers usually spend more time on the road due to the long distances they are required to reach. To avoid vehicular breakdowns and delays, OTR drivers are required to inspect their trucks and review shipping and transport documents. They are also responsible for unloading freights and collect charges from customers.

If we compare the average cdl driver annual salary with that of a truck driver-over-the-road, we find that truck driver-over the roads typically earn a $6,046 higher salary than cdl drivers make annually.Even though cdl drivers and truck driver-over the roads are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require customer service, otr, and pet in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between cdl drivers and truck driver-over-the-road. For instance, cdl driver responsibilities require skills such as "dot," "cdl-a," "pickup," and "osha." Whereas a truck driver-over-the-road is skilled in "cdl," "fmcsa," "taking care," and "macro." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Truck driver-over the roads earn the highest salaries when working in the manufacturing industry, with an average yearly salary of $67,303. On the other hand, cdl drivers are paid more in the retail industry with an average salary of $63,457.The education levels that truck driver-over the roads earn slightly differ from cdl drivers. In particular, truck driver-over the roads are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a cdl driver. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Cdl driver vs. Tractor-trailer driver

A tractor-trailer driver is responsible for picking up and delivering goods and services from distribution centers and warehouses to different locations across the country as required. Tractor-trailer drivers manage the best route planning to prevent delays. They should also have extensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the vehicle's condition regularly, repairing any inconsistencies, and replacing defective components to ensure smooth operations. A tractor-trailer driver must have excellent communication and organizational skills, responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns and escalating complaints to management for immediate resolution.

Tractor-trailer driver positions earn lower pay than cdl driver roles. They earn a $4,614 lower salary than cdl drivers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Cdl drivers and tractor-trailer drivers both require similar skills like "dot," "customer service," and "otr" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, cdl driver responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cdl-a," "pet," "pickup," and "osha." Meanwhile, a tractor-trailer driver has duties that require skills in areas such as "cdl," "fmcsa," "tractor-trailer truck," and "gvw." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Tractor-trailer drivers earn a lower average salary than cdl drivers. But tractor-trailer drivers earn the highest pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $58,745. Additionally, cdl drivers earn the highest salaries in the retail with average pay of $63,457 annually.In general, tractor-trailer drivers achieve similar levels of education than cdl drivers. They're 0.2% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for cdl drivers in the next 3-5 years?

Don LefeveDon Lefeve LinkedIn profile

President & Chairman of the Board, CVTA

Technology is changing very fast, which is great news for trucking (and all transportation) as it's making vehicles safer. The next 3-5 years will see the expansion of electric vehicles, better safety systems, and greater efficiency in transportation networks. While autonomous technology is advancing rapidly, it will not replace humans anytime soon. Certainly not in the next 3-5 years. There's a lot of testing, security concerns, and limitations that need to be worked out. Beyond the next five years, as technology continues advancing, and jobs will change and be enhanced, but driving jobs will not be replaced by machines. Like airline pilots, the technology relies upon humans, and the human will retain a central role in the control of the truck because we possess the fastest, most capable computers of all -- our brains. I think driver training will always be required, and in fact, it will likely expand to cover not only the fundamentals but also incorporate more technical training centered around autonomous systems and how to operate them.

Cdl driver vs. Truck driver class a

The responsibilities of a Truck Driver Class A mainly revolves around driving heavy vehicles and ensuring that all transported goods meet the expected delivery deadlines and quality. The Driver needs to have a Class A license and be emotionally and physically healthy to qualify. Among the duties of a Truck Driver Class A will also revolve around securing and monitoring the quantity and quality of items, maintaining the vehicle in good condition, abide by the traffic rules and regulations, adhere to the company standards and policies, and have precise coordination with every workforce involved.

An average truck driver class a eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of cdl drivers. The difference in salaries amounts to truck drivers class a earning a $158 higher average salary than cdl drivers.By looking over several cdl drivers and truck drivers class a resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "otr," and "pet." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, cdl drivers are more likely to have skills like "dot," "cdl-a," "osha," and "safety equipment." But a truck driver class a is more likely to have skills like "cdl," "dot regulations," "perseverance," and "mile radius."

Truck drivers class a make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $62,650. On the other hand, cdl drivers are paid the highest salary in the retail industry, with average annual pay of $63,457.truck drivers class a typically earn similar educational levels compared to cdl drivers. Specifically, they're 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Cdl driver vs. Over the road driver

Over the road, (OTR) drivers are the truckers driving the big semi-trailer truck that hauls all types of goods to their destinations across the states. Their journey typically begins with loading the freight onto the trailer, requiring them to lift heavy materials and load the cargo properly to avoid shifting while in transit. They often sleep in the sleeper berth at a truck stop to eat, freshen up and refuel. They are allowed to go on a 30-minute break after an eight-hour drive.

Over the road drivers typically earn lower pay than cdl drivers. On average, over the road drivers earn a $993 lower salary per year.According to resumes from cdl drivers and over the road drivers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "customer service," "pet," and "hazmat. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between cdl drivers and over the road drivers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a cdl driver might have more use for skills like "dot," "cdl-a," "otr," and "pickup." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of over the road drivers require skills like "cdl," "ltl," "dot regulations," and "federal motor. "

The manufacturing industry tends to pay the highest salaries for over the road drivers, with average annual pay of $62,648. Comparatively, the highest cdl driver annual salary comes from the retail industry.In general, over the road drivers hold similar degree levels compared to cdl drivers. Over the road drivers are 0.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of cdl driver

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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