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What does a semi truck driver do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Don Lefeve
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Semi truck driver responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real semi truck driver resumes:

  • Complete training to obtain CDL 'S
  • Handle multiple projects simultaneously under OSHA and Hazmat.
  • 45810419-759-2020Haul oversized loads, equipment hauling, OTR work.
  • Deliver aggregate and asphalt product to various job sites throughout Arizona.
  • Experience in handling of high value and HazMat materials, including securement and placarding.
  • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
  • Deliver company products all over the state of michigan for new concrete construction.Load and unload with boom and hilo.
  • Keep track of logs, miles, and bol's.

Semi truck driver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 42% of Semi Truck Drivers are proficient in CDL, DOT, and Log Book. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Hearing ability, and Physical health.

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

  • CDL, 42%

    Obtained My class A CDL License received 240 training hours at the school location.

  • DOT, 15%

    Calculated Wisconsin DOT logging data accurately utilizing loose leaf method.

  • Log Book, 6%

    Maintain electronic log book and paper logs in the event of electronic fail.

  • Asphalt, 6%

    Delivered asphalt and sand to road paving crews all over N. Florida and South Georgia.

  • OTR, 4%

    Experience with OTR, Dedicated, & Refrigerated Routes

  • Food Products, 3%

    Deliver various food products to stores, restaurants, golf courses, and other food distributors.

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

Hand-eye coordination. The most essential soft skill for a semi truck driver to carry out their responsibilities is hand-eye coordination. This skill is important for the role 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 semi truck driver resume shows how their duties depend on hand-eye coordination: "provided extensive customer service support and logistics coordination with major food industry distributors. "

Hearing ability. Many semi truck driver duties rely on hearing ability. "truck drivers need good hearing," so a semi truck driver will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways semi truck driver responsibilities rely on hearing ability: "transport and deliver customer goods while adhearing to strict deadlines and safety regulations for professional drivers. "

Physical health. This is an important skill for semi truck drivers to perform their duties. For an example of how semi truck driver responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "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." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a semi truck driver: "pass dot physicals and drug tests. ".

Most common semi truck driver skills

The three companies that hire the most semi truck drivers are:

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Compare different semi truck drivers

Semi truck driver vs. Driver/mover

A driver/mover is responsible for preparing and arranging items for delivery from the distribution center to assigned destinations. Driver/movers assist with loading and unloading merchandise using various warehouse tools and equipment. They also inspect the packaging of items, ensuring that the products are free of any defects and immediately escalate damaged items to the management. A driver/mover checks the accuracy of inventory reports to determine the correct quantity of the delivered items before and after shipment to prevent client misunderstandings and complaints.

If we compare the average semi truck driver annual salary with that of a driver/mover, we find that driver/movers typically earn a $25,395 lower salary than semi truck drivers make annually.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between semi truck drivers and driver/mover. For instance, semi truck driver responsibilities require skills such as "dot," "log book," "asphalt," and "otr." Whereas a driver/mover is skilled in "customer service," "equipment inventory," "complete paperwork," and "truck inspections." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Driver/movers really shine in the energy industry with an average salary of $33,850. Comparatively, semi truck drivers tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $59,088.The education levels that driver/movers earn slightly differ from semi truck drivers. In particular, driver/movers are 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a semi truck driver. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Semi truck driver vs. Cdl driver

A CDL driver is responsible for the transportation of goods from the manufacturing warehouse to specific store locations. CDL drivers' duties include inspecting the items before and after the delivery to ensure that the orders are correct with the right quantity, providing proof of delivery from the receiving customers, following the delivery schedule and report any delays immediately, monitoring the vehicle's engine for efficiency, and escalating concerns of incorrect deliveries and defective items. A CDL driver must have excellent time-management and multi-tasking skills, following safety procedures and road rules at all times.

On average, cdl drivers earn a $5,400 higher salary than semi truck drivers a year.A few skills overlap for semi truck drivers and cdl drivers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "dot," "log book," and "asphalt. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real semi truck driver resumes. While semi truck driver responsibilities can utilize skills like "cdl," "professional customer service," "ran," and "mile radius," cdl drivers use skills like "cdl-a," "customer service," "pet," and "pickup."

On average, cdl drivers earn a higher salary than semi truck drivers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, cdl drivers earn the most pay in the retail industry with an average salary of $63,457. Whereas semi truck drivers have higher pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $59,088.In general, cdl drivers achieve similar levels of education than semi truck drivers. They're 0.7% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Semi truck driver vs. Van driver

A van driver is responsible for operating a wide and a larger-sized vehicle than a regular car, usually used as a company shuttle to pick up and drop employees to designated areas. Van drivers should have a clean driving record, ensuring the safety and comfortability of the passengers while on the road. They should also be familiar with the location, considering alternative routes for any road complications to avoid delays. A van driver must have comprehensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the engine's condition, and perform repairs as necessary.

On average scale, van drivers bring in lower salaries than semi truck drivers. In fact, they earn a $21,458 lower salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on semi truck drivers and van drivers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "cdl," "log book," and "otr.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 semi truck driver resumes include skills like "dot," "asphalt," "food products," and "post-trip inspections," whereas a van driver is more likely to list skills in "customer service," "mechanical problems," "patients," and "pet. "

Van drivers earn the highest salary when working in the transportation industry, where they receive an average salary of $37,113. Comparatively, semi truck drivers have the highest earning potential in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $59,088.When it comes to education, van drivers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to semi truck drivers. In fact, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Semi truck driver vs. Driver

Drivers are responsible for safely transporting people, packages, or goods from one destination to another. They should be familiar with the different routes that may be taken to reach the desired goal. They should be expert navigators and may use navigation apps to help them along the way. They should also be familiar with the basic mechanics of the vehicle they are using and the proper maintenance and cleaning needed to ensure that the car is running well. Drivers are expected to have excellent customer relation skills, a strong sense of direction, and superb organizations.

Drivers typically earn lower pay than semi truck drivers. On average, drivers earn a $22,941 lower salary per year.While both semi truck drivers and drivers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like cdl, dot, and log book, 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. "asphalt," "food products," "professional customer service," and "end loaders" are skills that commonly show up on semi truck driver resumes. On the other hand, drivers use skills like math, basic math, safety rules, and cleanliness on their resumes.drivers enjoy the best pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $39,688. For comparison, semi truck drivers earn the highest salary in the transportation industry.The average resume of drivers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to semi truck drivers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of semi truck 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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