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Drive away driver vs local driver

The differences between drive away drivers and local drivers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a local driver has an average salary of $48,160, which is higher than the $37,491 average annual salary of a drive away driver.

The top three skills for a drive away driver include CDL, DOT and pallets. The most important skills for a local driver are CDL, DOT, and post-trip inspections.

Drive away driver vs local driver overview

Drive Away DriverLocal Driver
Yearly salary$37,491$48,160
Hourly rate$18.02$23.15
Growth rate20%4%
Number of jobs154,272786,531
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 41%
Average age4748
Years of experience-2

What does a drive away driver do?

Driver away drivers refer to the individuals who transport cars from one location to another. They transport cars for lease and rental cars from one location to another around the country to keep even distribution of vehicles in all locations, making it easy for individuals to rent. Some drive-away drivers drive vehicles containing specific materials from one place to another. However, there are a few drive-away jobs, meaning you must meet all the requirements to secure one.

What does a local driver do?

A local driver is responsible for transporting people and goods and services from the distribution centers to various destinations. Local drivers operate vehicles and inspect the engine for any inconsistencies and system defects that may cause delays with the operations. They also schedule vehicle maintenance and repairs, keeping a record of receipts for the management's validation. A local driver must have excellent driving skills and a clean driving record. Additionally, a local driver should possess excellent communication skills, especially on handling customers' inquiries and concerns and escalating high-level complaints.

Drive away driver vs local driver salary

Drive away drivers and local drivers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Drive Away DriverLocal Driver
Average salary$37,491$48,160
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $60,000Between $33,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Montana
Best paying company-Mid-South Management
Best paying industry-Transportation

Differences between drive away driver and local driver education

There are a few differences between a drive away driver and a local driver in terms of educational background:

Drive Away DriverLocal Driver
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 46%High School Diploma, 41%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Drive away driver vs local driver demographics

Here are the differences between drive away drivers' and local drivers' demographics:

Drive Away DriverLocal Driver
Average age4748
Gender ratioMale, 79.9% Female, 20.1%Male, 91.3% Female, 8.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.8% Asian, 9.8% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.6% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%4%

Differences between drive away driver and local driver duties and responsibilities

Drive away driver example responsibilities.

  • Supervise the harvest operation to accomplish daily production requirements.
  • Drive locally and OTR hauling frozen commodities.
  • Trouble shooting PC's, printers, and peripherals.
  • Transport trucks and tractors from the manufacturer to the customer's OTR
  • Operate a stand up lift putting pallets up in various locations in a warehouse.
  • Position lifting platforms or other lifting devices under, over or around load pallets, skids, boxes or products.
  • Show more

Local driver example responsibilities.

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Transport Hazmat air tanks per fmcsa regulations.
  • Full trailer load and LTL delivery and pick up.
  • Assist in planning to ensure loads are ready for OTR drivers.
  • Experience with; dry van, LTL, heavy haul, inter-modal and refrigerate trailers.
  • Deliver propane to residential customers and commercial
  • Show more

Drive away driver vs local driver skills

Common drive away driver skills
  • CDL, 45%
  • DOT, 32%
  • Pallets, 12%
  • RF Gun, 4%
  • Fork-Lift, 2%
  • Unload Trucks, 2%
Common local driver skills
  • CDL, 22%
  • DOT, 13%
  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Pallet Jack, 7%
  • Hazmat, 7%

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