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What does a spotter driver do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Spotter driver responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real spotter driver resumes:

  • Communicate daily with dispatch for pickup and delivery appointments.
  • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.

Spotter driver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 50% of Spotter Drivers are proficient in CDL, Dock Doors, and DOT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hearing ability, Physical health, and Visual ability.

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

  • CDL, 50%

    Dispatched for one year, transition to CDL driving position capable of operating buses, limousines, and executive transport equipment.

  • Dock Doors, 24%

    Pulled trailers and executed trailer moves, including in and out of dock doors.

  • DOT, 12%

    Maintained all DOT Federal and State qualifications and regulations while moving transport equipment between production facilities and/or third party warehouses.

  • Yard Truck, 7%

    Operate Yard Truck in a safer manner during numerous roll-on/roll-off procedures daily involving loaded and empty containers.

  • Spotter Truck, 2%

    Complete training for crane use, also drove, loaded and unloaded spotter truck.

  • Spot Trailers, 1%

    Spot trailers at warehouse locations subcontracted by K-Mart and Sears as well as trailers at the Premier terminal.

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

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

Physical health. Many spotter driver duties rely on physical health. "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," so a spotter driver will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways spotter driver responsibilities rely on physical health: "transport individuals to his or her medical appointment and day program work with intellectually disabled individuals dealing with mental health issues. "

Visual ability. spotter drivers are also known for visual ability, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to spotter driver responsibilities, because "truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests." A spotter driver resume example shows how visual ability is used in the workplace: "transport of mobile center to locations, transport-vehicle maintenance, mobile center operation, customer service, & audio/visual equipment troubleshooting. "

Hand-eye coordination. For certain spotter driver responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "hand-eye coordination." The day-to-day duties of a spotter driver rely on this skill, as "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." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what spotter drivers do: "time management and customer location coordination key to ensuring many different deliveries occurred on time. "

All spotter driver skills

The three companies that hire the most spotter drivers are:

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Compare different spotter drivers

Spotter driver vs. Driver trainer

Driver trainers are instructors who teach their clients how to drive. They are often considered experts in driving, and they are credible enough to impart their driving knowledge to clients. They teach their clients the basics of handling a car, the different actions one takes while driving, and the meaning of different street signs. They guide their clients during driving lessons and provide feedback so that their clients can improve. At times, driver trainers also handle driving tests and would rate the clients on their driving skills.

The annual salary of driver trainers is $2,851 lower than the average salary of spotter drivers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between spotter drivers and driver trainers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like cdl, unload trucks, and otr.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between spotter drivers and driver trainer. For instance, spotter driver responsibilities require skills such as "dock doors," "dot," "yard truck," and "pre-trip." Whereas a driver trainer is skilled in "dexterity," "training programs," "defensive driving," and "customer service." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Driver trainers really shine in the transportation industry with an average salary of $41,269. Comparatively, spotter drivers tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $50,849.driver trainers tend to reach similar levels of education than spotter drivers. In fact, driver trainers are 2.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Spotter 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.

Driver/mover positions earn lower pay than spotter driver roles. They earn a $16,608 lower salary than spotter drivers per year.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real spotter driver resumes. While spotter driver responsibilities can utilize skills like "dock doors," "dot," "yard truck," and "pre-trip," driver/movers use skills like "customer service," "equipment inventory," "complete paperwork," and "truck inspections."

Driver/movers earn a lower average salary than spotter drivers. But driver/movers earn the highest pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $33,850. Additionally, spotter drivers earn the highest salaries in the transportation with average pay of $50,849 annually.driver/movers earn similar levels of education than spotter drivers in general. They're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Spotter driver vs. Roll off driver

A roll-off driver is responsible for operating heavy vehicles, usually to support construction operations and transport waste materials. Roll-off drivers inspect the condition of the engine before and after work to ensure its stability and optimal performance. They also coordinate with dispatchers and construction workers to lift containers and secure disposal. A roll-off driver must have excellent organizational skills, as well as having strong physical stamina to perform duties within the fast-paced environment and time-consuming tasks.

An average roll off driver eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of spotter drivers. The difference in salaries amounts to rolls off driver earning a $10,104 lower average salary than spotter drivers.By looking over several spotter drivers and rolls off driver resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "cdl," "dot," and "emergency equipment." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from spotter driver resumes include skills like "dock doors," "yard truck," "pre-trip," and "spotter truck," whereas a roll off driver is more likely to list skills in "safety equipment," "safety policies," "safety issues," and "tire pressure. "

Rolls off driver make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $41,204. On the other hand, spotter drivers are paid the highest salary in the transportation industry, with average annual pay of $50,849.rolls off driver typically earn similar educational levels compared to spotter drivers. Specifically, they're 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Spotter driver vs. Tractor-trailer driver

A tractor-trailer driver is responsible for picking up and delivering goods and services from distribution centers and warehouses to different locations across the country as required. Tractor-trailer drivers manage the best route planning to prevent delays. They should also have extensive knowledge of the mechanical industry, inspecting the vehicle's condition regularly, repairing any inconsistencies, and replacing defective components to ensure smooth operations. A tractor-trailer driver must have excellent communication and organizational skills, responding to the clients' inquiries and concerns and escalating complaints to management for immediate resolution.

Tractor-trailer drivers average a higher salary than the annual salary of spotter drivers. The difference is about $9,573 per year.According to resumes from spotter drivers and tractor-trailer drivers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "cdl," "dot," and "unload trucks. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "dock doors," "yard truck," "pre-trip," and "spotter truck" are skills that commonly show up on spotter driver resumes. On the other hand, tractor-trailer drivers use skills like customer service, post-trip inspections, vehicle inspections, and hazmat on their resumes.In general, tractor-trailer drivers earn the most working in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $58,745. The highest-paying industry for a spotter driver is the transportation industry.In general, tractor-trailer drivers hold similar degree levels compared to spotter drivers. Tractor-trailer drivers are 1.5% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of spotter 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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