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What does a motor transport operator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

A motor transport operator is responsible for the maintenance of wheel vehicles for carrying goods and personnel safely from one place to another. Motor transport operators must have a broad knowledge of the mechanical industry to operate wheel vehicles and conduct repairs for malfunctions and engine faults. Their duties also include administering convoy defense techniques, loading equipment securely, and following safety procedures and standard protocols. A motor transport operator must have excellent driving and defense skills, especially for military roles.

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Motor transport operator responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real motor transport operator resumes:

  • Transport veterans to and from their medical appointments.
  • Operate street sweepers, skip loaders and lift trucks.
  • Ensure the safety of clients, applying first aid and CPR.
  • People skills are a must in dealing with employees and veterans.
  • Maintain protocol of current CDL and the functional procedures of the equipment operate.
  • Maintain database of inventory for vehicle status, MHE movement, and personnel.
  • Drive tractor and/or other vehicles typically having a GVW of more than 22,000 pounds.
  • Instruct squadron flight crews in the areas of UAS safe operation and airspace adherence.
  • Perform physical labor using back pack blowers for extend periods of time and distance.
  • Read and interpreting maps and GPS directions, and monitor traffic conditions to avoid delays.
  • Operate primarily straight-in-line trucks and semi-truck tractors with a GVW of more than 32,000 pounds.
  • Answer all guests' questions about attractions, food, resorts, transportation and rides.
  • Conduct and assist with multiple training programs such as weapon control/safety, first aid, CPR, and also physical training.
  • Process registrations and transportation reservations for all programs.
  • Receive customer reservations and follow through with specific guest requests.

Motor transport operator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 20% of Motor Transport Operators are proficient in Customer Service, Safety Rules, and Reservations.

We break down the percentage of Motor Transport Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 20%

    Coordinated internal customer service meetings to improve relationship with Materials Management, Business services, Chemicals Business areas and field locations.

  • Safety Rules, 12%

    Enforced safety rules and regulations, planned work assignments and equipment allocations to meet transportation, operations or production goals.

  • Reservations, 10%

    Received customer reservations and followed through with specific guest requests.

  • Patients, 9%

    Transported patients involuntarily committed for alcohol/drug related/crime/abuse to rehabilitation facilities.

  • Excellent Organizational, 8%

    Exercised excellent organizational and interpersonal skills when planning training and missions with supervisors and fellow team members.

  • Logistics, 8%

    Enforced contracts in heavy equipment, maintenance, satellite facilities and communications while improving processes to provide cost effective logistics management.

Common skills that a motor transport operator uses to do their job include "customer service," "safety rules," and "reservations." You can find details on the most important motor transport operator responsibilities below.

Most common motor transport operator skills

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Compare different motor transport operators

Motor transport operator vs. Assembly line driver

The vehicle operator focuses on operating various kinds of vehicles, ranging from 4-wheels to heavy trucks and vans. Usually, vehicle operators deliver supplies, materials, and personnel to the intended destination. It is the responsibility of the vehicle operator that all deliverables are shipped safely and on time. It is also required for the vehicle operator to maintain vehicles assigned to them and ensure their safety on the road. The vehicle operator must have a professional license and adequate experience handling heavy vehicles such as trucks and vans.

The annual salary of assembly line drivers is $79 higher than the average salary of motor transport operators.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a motor transport operator are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "safety rules," "reservations," and "patients." On the other hand, a job as an assembly line driver requires skills like "line assembly," "office furniture," "product specifications," and "load trucks." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

The education levels that assembly line drivers earn slightly differ from motor transport operators. In particular, assembly line drivers are 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a motor transport operator. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Motor transport operator vs. Street sweeper

A career as a street sweeper brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a motor transport operator. In fact, street sweepers salary is $54 higher than the salary of motor transport operators per year.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that motor transport operator responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "safety rules," "reservations," and "patients." But a street sweeper might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "construction sites," "customer expectations," "water tanks," and "blowers."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Street sweepers tend to reach similar levels of education than motor transport operators. In fact, they're 3.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Motor transport operator vs. Vehicle operator

An average vehicle operator eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of motor transport operators. The difference in salaries amounts to vehicle operators earning a $7 higher average salary than motor transport operators.By looking over several motor transport operators and vehicle operators resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "safety rules," "cdl," and "hazardous materials." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a motor transport operator is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "reservations," "patients," and "excellent organizational," while a typical vehicle operator is skilled in "tractor trailer," "cleanliness," "forklifts," and "preventative maintenance."

Most vehicle operators achieve a similar degree level compared to motor transport operators. For example, they're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Motor transport operator vs. Street sweeper operator

Street sweeper operators average a higher salary than the annual salary of motor transport operators. The difference is about $32 per year.While their salaries may vary, motor transport operators and street sweeper operators both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "cdl," "gps," and "safety procedures. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A motor transport operator uses "customer service," "safety rules," "reservations," and "patients." Street sweeper operators are more likely to have duties that require skills in "asphalt," "sweepers," "city streets," and "traffic control. "street sweeper operators reach similar levels of education compared to motor transport operators, in general. The difference is that they're 2.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of motor transport operator

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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