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What does a Flatbed Driver do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted Expert
Don Lefeve
What does a Flatbed Driver do

A flatbed driver is responsible for operating flatbed trucks to manage distribution and deliveries of goods and services from the warehouse to various assigned designations. Flatbed drivers assist in loading and unloading items, maintain a copy of receipt orders, process payments, and respond to the customers' inquiries and concerns. They also inspect the stability and performance of the truck's engine before and after operations and perform necessary repairs to prevent delivery delays and avoid potential road hazards.

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Flatbed driver responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real flatbed driver resumes:

  • Route development now reduce to GPS mapping and computer logs.
  • Operate flatbed tractor/trailer unit in the pickup and delivery of metals auto parts to area recycling yards.
  • Utilize forklift to load and unload pallets and product rolls in company's yard and at delivery site.
  • Load truck from warehouse, operate forklift, organize stock pallets and unload trucks and make deliveries to multiple customers.
  • Obtain and maintain proper delivery authorization and pickup documentation.
  • Provide transportation services for major commercial shipping customers, including Walmart and Budweiser.

Flatbed driver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 39% of Flatbed Drivers are proficient in CDL, OTR, 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 Flatbed Drivers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • CDL, 39%

    Transport Equipment from facility to project locations, operate all equipment, and train new drivers/ employees for CDL.

  • OTR, 18%

    Flatbed Driver 48 States * 2600 to 3200 miles per week * Flatbed Load Deliveries OTR in 48 States

  • Customer Service, 9%

    Excelled in provided superior international customer service

  • Safety Regulations, 6%

    Transport freight in accordance with federal motor carrier safety regulations, accountability of products incoming/outgoing accompany with bills for customer/third party

  • TWIC, 4%

    Company went Bankrupt Transported over size steel plates TWIC

  • DOT Regulations, 4%

    Executed daily operations of maintaining CMV to DOT standards, load assistance, strapping, delivery and truck maintenance.

"cdl," "otr," and "customer service" are among the most common skills that flatbed drivers use at work. You can find even more flatbed driver responsibilities below, including:

Hand-eye coordination. One of the key soft skills for a flatbed driver to have is hand-eye coordination. You can see how this relates to what flatbed 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 flatbed driver resume shows how flatbed 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 flatbed driver duties is hearing ability. Flatbed drivers responsibilities require that "truck drivers need good hearing." Flatbed 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. flatbed drivers are also known for physical health, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to flatbed 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 flatbed driver resume example shows how physical health is used in the workplace: "up to date dot physical card. "

See the full list of flatbed driver skills

The three companies that hire the most flatbed drivers are:

  • Central Oregon Truck
  • AFC Cable Systems
  • TMC Transportation217 flatbed drivers jobs

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Compare different flatbed drivers

Flatbed 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.

We looked at the average flatbed driver salary and compared it with the wages of a truck driver-over-the-road. Generally speaking, truck driver-over the roads are paid $12,059 higher than flatbed drivers per year.Even though flatbed 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 cdl, otr, and customer service in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a flatbed driver are more likely to require skills like "twic," "load securement," "safety hazards," and "tarp loads." On the other hand, a job as a truck driver-over-the-road requires skills like "pet," "hazmat," "work ethic," and "taking care." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Truck driver-over the roads really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $67,303. Comparatively, flatbed drivers tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $62,221.On average, truck driver-over the roads reach similar levels of education than flatbed drivers. Truck driver-over the roads are 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Flatbed driver vs. Driver trainer

Driver trainers are instructors who teach their clients how to drive. They are often considered experts in driving, and they are credible enough to impart their driving knowledge to clients. They teach their clients the basics of handling a car, the different actions one takes while driving, and the meaning of different street signs. They guide their clients during driving lessons and provide feedback so that their clients can improve. At times, driver trainers also handle driving tests and would rate the clients on their driving skills.

A career as a driver trainer brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a flatbed driver. In fact, driver trainers salary is $11,025 lower than the salary of flatbed drivers per year.A few skills overlap for flatbed drivers and driver trainers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "cdl," "otr," and "customer service. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real flatbed driver resumes. While flatbed driver responsibilities can utilize skills like "twic," "safety hazards," "tarp loads," and "commodities," driver trainers use skills like "dexterity," "training programs," "defensive driving," and "hazmat."

On average, driver trainers earn a lower salary than flatbed drivers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, driver trainers earn the most pay in the transportation industry with an average salary of $41,269. Whereas flatbed drivers have higher pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $62,221.In general, driver trainers achieve similar levels of education than flatbed drivers. They're 0.6% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Flatbed 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.

Flatbed driver vs. Local truck driver

A local truck driver is an employee who drives a company truck to transport goods to and from specified locations within a designated geographic area. Local truck drivers must ensure that the transported goods are well-secured and not damaged during the transit. They must liaise with dispatch to communicate any traffic issues and delays as well as notify the management of any accidents or vehicle damage. Local truck drivers must also assist in loading and unloading of goods by using hand trucks and electric lifts as required.

On average scale, local truck drivers bring in higher salaries than flatbed drivers. In fact, they earn a $1,970 higher salary per year.By looking over several flatbed drivers and local truck drivers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "cdl," "otr," and "customer service." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from flatbed driver resumes include skills like "twic," "load securement," "tarp loads," and "commodities," whereas a local truck driver is more likely to list skills in "hazmat," "pet," "pallet jack," and "local truck. "

Local truck drivers make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $60,236. On the other hand, flatbed drivers are paid the highest salary in the transportation industry, with average annual pay of $62,221.Most local truck drivers achieve a similar degree level compared to flatbed drivers. For example, they're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Flatbed driver vs. Haul truck driver

Haul Truck Drivers are skilled professional drivers. They are licensed to drive around heavy vehicles such as trucks. They usually travel long distances to deliver goods from one place to another. They should be able to meet delivery time expectations. As such, Haul Truck Drivers should have good time management skills. They should also have the presence of mind while driving and must obey all traffic rules. They should know the best routes to take for each particular trip. They must also ensure that their trucks are well-maintained. Haul truck Drivers should be strong enough to assist in loading up the truck or reloading the content.

Haul truck drivers tend to earn a higher pay than flatbed drivers by an average of $3,833 per year.While both flatbed drivers and haul truck drivers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cdl, otr, and customer service, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between flatbed drivers and haul truck drivers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a flatbed driver might have more use for skills like "twic," "dot regulations," "load securement," and "safety hazards." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of haul truck drivers require skills like "dot," "asphalt," "loaders," and "minor maintenance. "

The transportation industry tends to pay the highest salaries for haul truck drivers, with average annual pay of $57,930. Comparatively, the highest flatbed driver annual salary comes from the transportation industry.The average resume of haul truck drivers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to flatbed drivers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 1.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of flatbed 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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