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What does a lead driver do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
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.

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Lead driver responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real lead driver resumes:

  • 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
  • Operate and maintain firefighting equipment and vehicles as a driver operator during emergency and non-emergency operations.
  • Position and maneuver vehicles considering all factors from optimum operational efficiency and purpose of equipment and safety involve in firefighting operation.
  • Answer commercials and general calls, also look for parts on AutoZone systems and place orders for customers.

Lead driver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 28% of Lead Drivers are proficient in DOT, Work Ethic, and CDL. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hearing ability, Physical health, and Hand-eye coordination.

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

  • DOT, 28%

    Processed weekly and monthly DOT mileage reports and assisted supervisor with additional administrative duties as required.

  • Work Ethic, 16%

    Proved ability to maintain strong work ethic in the most highly stressful situation with the confidence to follow.

  • CDL, 10%

    Recognized by manager for implementing significant cost saving strategies related to meeting drug testing requirements for CDL professionals

  • OTR, 6%

    Trained new drivers on all aspects of OTR driving.

  • Customer Service, 6%

    Maintained timely deliveries locally and over the road; developed relationships through quality customer service offering targeted solutions to meet future needs

  • Tractor Trailer, 3%

    Coordinate and distribute ice to customers and special events utilizing box trucks and tractor trailers as business needs demand.

"dot," "work ethic," and "cdl" are among the most common skills that lead drivers use at work. You can find even more lead driver responsibilities below, including:

Hearing ability. One of the key soft skills for a lead driver to have is hearing ability. You can see how this relates to what lead drivers do because "truck drivers need good hearing." Additionally, a lead driver resume shows how lead drivers use hearing ability: "provided clients with transportation to their medical appointments including therapy, dentistry, hearing and dialysis. "

Physical health. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling lead driver duties is physical health. The role rewards competence in this skill 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." According to a lead driver resume, here's how lead drivers can utilize physical health in their job responsibilities: "maintained sanitation, health, and safety standards in work areas. "

Hand-eye coordination. lead drivers are also known for hand-eye coordination, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to lead driver responsibilities, 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." A lead driver resume example shows how hand-eye coordination is used in the workplace: "network coordination for freight pickup and delivery logistics consulting identify freight manifest for hazmat solutions. "

Visual ability. A big part of what lead drivers do relies on "visual ability." You can see how essential it is to lead driver responsibilities because "truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical lead driver tasks: "instruct students in classroom training with use of visual aids and audio equipment. "

Most common lead driver skills

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Compare different lead drivers

Lead driver vs. Driver/owner operator

Driver/owner-operators are self-employed commercial truck drivers who operate trucks to transport goods for their customers. Most of these operators started working as drivers for trucking companies to gain experience and decide if it's the right career path for them. They are allowed to haul freelance or agree to a lease agreement dedicating their equipment to one product or customer. To become an owner-operator, one should consider many things, including business set-up, vehicle type, and licenses.

The annual salary of driver/owner operators is $126,024 higher than the average salary of lead drivers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both lead driver and driver/owner operator positions are skilled in dot, cdl, and otr.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between lead drivers and driver/owner operator. For instance, lead driver responsibilities require skills such as "work ethic," "customer service," "tractor trailer," and "pickup." Whereas a driver/owner operator is skilled in "pet," "traffic violations," "eagle," and "dump truck." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Driver/owner operators really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $155,268. Comparatively, lead drivers tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $47,880.driver/owner operators tend to reach similar levels of education than lead drivers. In fact, driver/owner operators are 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Lead 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.

A career as a truck driver-over-the-road brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a lead driver. In fact, truck driver-over the roads salary is $25,389 higher than the salary of lead drivers per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Lead drivers and truck driver-over the roads both require similar skills like "work ethic," "cdl," and "otr" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that lead driver responsibilities requires skills like "dot," "tractor trailer," "pickup," and "safety standards." But a truck driver-over-the-road might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "pet," "fmcsa," "taking care," and "macro."

Truck driver-over the roads may earn a higher salary than lead drivers, but truck driver-over the roads earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $67,303. On the other hand, lead drivers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $47,880.truck driver-over the roads earn similar levels of education than lead drivers in general. They're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Lead driver vs. Driver supervisor

Driver supervisors are professionals who are responsible for supervising all activities that are related to the operation of motor vehicles that transport materials for logistics companies. These supervisors are required to select and orient drivers about their roles and ensure that they are following the guidelines provided by the Department of Transportation (DOT). They must regularly audit delivery routes with their drivers so that they can achieve safe and efficient deliveries. Driver supervisors must also conduct investigations for those drivers involved in vehicular accidents.

An average driver supervisor eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of lead drivers. The difference in salaries amounts to driver supervisors earning a $5,274 lower average salary than lead drivers.By looking over several lead drivers and driver supervisors resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "dot," "cdl," and "otr." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, lead drivers are more likely to have skills like "work ethic," "pickup," "mechanical problems," and "pallet jack." But a driver supervisor is more likely to have skills like "excellent interpersonal," "workgroup," "basic math," and "on-time performance."

Driver supervisors earn the best pay in the transportation industry, where they command an average salary of $41,805. Lead drivers earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $47,880.Most driver supervisors achieve a similar degree level compared to lead drivers. For example, they're 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Lead driver vs. Delivery truck driver

A delivery truck driver is primarily responsible for transporting and delivering products to clients, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. They are also responsible for coordinating with logistics staff, loading and unloading packages, handling and managing documentation, following designated schedules and routes, and maintaining records of deliveries, including the missed ones. There are also instances when a delivery truck driver must accept and process payments, respond to customer calls and inquiries, and prepare progress reports. Furthermore, it is essential to perform maintenance checks on vehicles and abide by all traffic laws for a safe and efficient work environment.

Delivery truck drivers tend to earn a higher pay than lead drivers by an average of $11,794 per year.According to resumes from lead drivers and delivery truck drivers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "dot," "work ethic," and "cdl. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between lead drivers and delivery truck drivers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a lead driver might have more use for skills like "otr," "safety standards," "vehicle maintenance," and "safety issues." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of delivery truck drivers require skills like "groceries," "math," "cod," and "cleanliness. "

In general, delivery truck drivers earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $65,283. The highest-paying industry for a lead driver is the technology industry.In general, delivery truck drivers hold similar degree levels compared to lead drivers. Delivery truck drivers are 1.6% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of lead 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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