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What does a local driver do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Don Lefeve
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.

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Local driver responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real local driver resumes:

  • 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
  • Deliver refrigerated products between multiple states while operating a semi tractor trailer.
  • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.

Local driver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 22% of Local Drivers are proficient in CDL, DOT, and Post-Trip Inspections. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Physical health, and Visual ability.

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

  • CDL, 22%

    Maintain current Class A CDL with Hazardous Materials and Double and Triple endorsements.

  • DOT, 13%

    Documented transportation logs and utilized DOT safety guidelines.

  • Post-Trip Inspections, 9%

    Performed daily tractor/tanker pre-trip and post-trip inspections and had defects repaired or reported according to Company policies.

  • Customer Service, 7%

    Transported Vehicles nationwide with emphasis on customer service.

  • Pallet Jack, 7%

    Help with the loading and unloading of material at the warehouse using a forklift, hand truck or a pallet jack.

  • Hazmat, 7%

    Maintained paperwork and performed per and post trip, a member of the Hurricane Relief Crew and the Hazmat Response Team.

Most local drivers use their skills in "cdl," "dot," and "post-trip inspections" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential local driver responsibilities here:

Hand-eye coordination. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a local driver to have is hand-eye coordination. Their role and responsibilities require that "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." Local drivers often use hand-eye coordination in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "manage inventory -write orders - driving safely and following dot regulations skills used organization, time management, customer service and coordination"

Physical health. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling local 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 local driver resume, here's how local drivers can utilize physical health in their job responsibilities: "passed dot physical, hazmatendorsed, bill of laden and daily logs - also worked the extra board anddock as a loader"

Visual ability. local drivers are also known for visual ability, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to local driver responsibilities, because "truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests." A local driver resume example shows how visual ability is used in the workplace: "maintained education in successfully, handling hazardous materials; visually recognized colored labels and placards. "

See the full list of local driver skills

The three companies that hire the most local drivers are:

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Compare different local drivers

Local 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 local driver annual salary with that of a truck driver-over-the-road, we find that truck driver-over the roads typically earn a $20,998 higher salary than local drivers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both local driver and truck driver-over-the-road positions are skilled in cdl, post-trip inspections, and customer service.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, local driver responsibilities require skills like "dot," "ltl," "hand trucks," and "mile radius." Meanwhile a typical truck driver-over-the-road has skills in areas such as "pet," "work ethic," "safety regulations," and "taking care." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

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, local drivers are paid more in the transportation industry with an average salary of $52,385.On average, truck driver-over the roads reach similar levels of education than local drivers. Truck driver-over the roads are 0.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Local 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.

On average, delivery truck drivers earn a $7,403 higher salary than local drivers a year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both local drivers and delivery truck drivers have skills such as "cdl," "dot," and "post-trip inspections. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, local driver responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "otr," "fmcsa," "ltl," and "electronic logs." Meanwhile, a delivery truck driver has duties that require skills in areas such as "tractor trailer," "delivery truck," "math," and "cod." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

On average, delivery truck drivers earn a higher salary than local drivers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, delivery truck drivers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $65,283. Whereas local drivers have higher pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $52,385.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Delivery truck drivers tend to reach similar levels of education than local drivers. In fact, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Local 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.

On average, haul truck drivers earn higher salaries than local drivers, with a $12,772 difference per year.local drivers and haul truck drivers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "cdl," "dot," and "post-trip inspections," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a local driver is likely to be skilled in "fmcsa," "ltl," "electronic logs," and "hand trucks," while a typical haul truck driver is skilled in "asphalt," "loaders," "minor maintenance," and "msha."

Haul truck drivers earn the highest salary when working in the transportation industry, where they receive an average salary of $57,930. Comparatively, local drivers have the highest earning potential in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $52,385.haul truck drivers typically earn similar educational levels compared to local drivers. Specifically, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Local driver vs. Fuel truck driver

A Fuel Truck Driver transports fuel and other petroleum products from one place to another, ensuring safety and timeliness. Their responsibilities include measuring and calculating fuel deliveries, maintaining records, handling documentation, liaising with clients, preparing progress reports, and overseeing the loading and unloading procedures, ensuring adherence to the company's safety standards and regulations. A Fuel Truck Driver must conduct regular vehicle maintenance checks and abide by the traffic laws and regulations to maintain a safe and efficient work environment.

Fuel truck drivers tend to earn a higher pay than local drivers by an average of $8,607 per year.While both local drivers and fuel truck drivers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cdl, dot, and hazmat, the two careers vary in some skills.While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "post-trip inspections," "customer service," "pallet jack," and "otr" are skills that commonly show up on local driver resumes. On the other hand, fuel truck drivers use skills like math, basic math, safety rules, and tank trucks on their resumes.fuel truck drivers reach similar levels of education compared to local drivers, in general. The difference is that they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of local 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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