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What does a motor vehicle operator do?

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

Motor vehicle operators are skilled employees tasked by an organization to operate company vehicles to deliver and transport people, supplies, records, and materials. These operators must be able to drive a variety of vehicles such as trucks, buses, wreckers, and tractors over various types of terrain and roadways. They must provide maintenance and manual labor to check for adequate fuel supply or the vehicles' battery conditions. Motor vehicle operators must also keep logs of vehicle usage while maintaining an inventory of supplies and equipment for the vehicles.

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Motor vehicle operator responsibilities

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

  • Utilize HAZMAT procedures to ensure proper handling.
  • Conduct CDL drivers' applicant driving tests for employment.
  • Monitor and document equipment efficiency via on-board GPS tracking program.
  • Conduct 1st echelon maintenance on vehicles to maintain operational status and maintain vehicle cleanliness.
  • Transport hazardous material within the OSHA and Hazmat safety guidelines while utilizing appropriate material identification.
  • Show perseverance during continuous combat support operations, supplying ammunition in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.
  • Advise military and DOD civilians of their entitlements for shipment of personal property, passenger travel and prepare the necessary documentation.
  • Operate material-handling equipment, wreckers, mount cranes and hoists.
  • Operate material handling equipment, wreckers, mount cranes, and hoists.
  • Advise military and DOD civilians of their entitlements for shipment of personal property, passenger travel and prepare the necessary documentation.

Motor vehicle operator skills and personality traits

We calculated that 24% of Motor Vehicle Operators are proficient in Motor Vehicle, CDL, and Patients.

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

  • Motor Vehicle, 24%

    Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Motor Vehicle Operator Supervisor as necessary/required, concerning the operation of the company missions.

  • CDL, 11%

    Worked with little or no supervision, possess a valid Class B CDL.

  • Patients, 7%

    Loaded and transported patients in military ambulance minimizing discomfort to prevent shock or further injury.

  • Veterans, 6%

    Transport Veterans between Medical facilities.

  • Safety Rules, 6%

    Ensured safety rules and regulations were followed, performed required vehicle maintenance.

  • Dump Truck, 5%

    Performed various general labor tasks as required* Operate six and ten wheel dump trucks for the removal of snow on residential streets

Most motor vehicle operators use their skills in "motor vehicle," "cdl," and "patients" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential motor vehicle operator responsibilities here:

Most common motor vehicle operator skills

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Compare different motor vehicle operators

Motor vehicle operator vs. Assembly line driver

If we compare the average motor vehicle operator annual salary with that of an assembly line driver, we find that assembly line drivers typically earn a $79 higher salary than motor vehicle operators make annually.Even though motor vehicle operators and assembly line drivers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require motor vehicle, mowers, and dollies in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a motor vehicle operator are more likely to require skills like "cdl," "foot controls," "patients," and "veterans." 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.

Assembly line drivers tend to reach similar levels of education than motor vehicle operators. In fact, assembly line drivers are 1.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Motor vehicle operator vs. Street sweeper

Street sweeper positions earn higher pay than motor vehicle operator roles. They earn a $54 higher salary than motor vehicle operators per year.A few skills overlap for motor vehicle operators and street sweepers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "cdl," "air pressure," and "snow removal. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real motor vehicle operator resumes. While motor vehicle operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "motor vehicle," "foot controls," "patients," and "veterans," street sweepers use skills like "construction sites," "customer expectations," "water tanks," and "hand tools."

In general, street sweepers achieve similar levels of education than motor vehicle operators. They're 2.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Motor vehicle operator vs. Street sweeper operator

On average scale, street sweeper operators bring in higher salaries than motor vehicle operators. In fact, they earn a $32 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on motor vehicle operators and street sweeper operators resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "cdl," "safety procedures," and "air pressure.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from motor vehicle operator resumes include skills like "motor vehicle," "foot controls," "patients," and "veterans," whereas a street sweeper operator is more likely to list skills in "asphalt," "traffic control," "snow plow," and "water tanks. "

Most street sweeper operators achieve a similar degree level compared to motor vehicle operators. For example, they're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Motor vehicle operator vs. Power sweeper operator

Power sweeper operators average a higher salary than the annual salary of motor vehicle operators. The difference is about $38 per year.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A motor vehicle operator uses "motor vehicle," "cdl," "foot controls," and "patients." Power sweeper operators are more likely to have duties that require skills in "water tanks," "daily cleanup," "drive vehicles," and "vacuum chamber. "power sweeper operators reach similar levels of education compared to motor vehicle operators, in general. The difference is that they're 2.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of motor vehicle 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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