What does a tank driver do?
The duties of a tank driver depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, they are responsible for transporting goods or hazardous materials, ensuring timeliness and accuracy. Their tasks often revolve around coordinating with managers or office staff, handling or organizing documentation, managing schedules, and liaising with clients. Furthermore, as a tank driver, it is crucial to abide by all the traffic laws and conduct regular vehicle maintenance checks to ensure everyone's safety.
Tank driver responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real tank driver resumes:
- Deliver a variety of commodities to surrounding mines OTR and locally.
- Employ industry standard HAZMAT procedures.
- Deliver chemicals to various locations in town and OTR.
- Deliver liquid propane to commercial and residential accounts/perform safety checks/operate forklifts/follow D.O.T.
- Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers and CB radios.
- Hooked/Unhook trailers and converter dollies to or from a tractor and/or trailer.
- Hook and unhook trailers and converter dollies to or from a tractor and trailer.
- Operate equipment such as truck cab computers, CB radios, and telephones.
- Perform qualcomm communications with supervisors and dispatchers.
- Maintain telephone and Qualcomm contact with dispatcher to receive delivery or pick-up instructions.
- Provide transportation services for major commercial shipping customers, including Walmart and Budweiser.
Tank driver skills and personality traits
We calculated that 45% of Tank Drivers are proficient in CDL, Hazmat, and Post-Trip Inspections. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Hearing ability, and Physical health.
We break down the percentage of Tank Drivers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CDL, 45%
Background check, Federal CDL HAZMAT certified airport clearance.
- Hazmat, 19%
Load, Unload and transport HazMat Chemicals Tanker in Lower 48 and Canada.
- Post-Trip Inspections, 6%
Maintained an electronic logbook and completed pre- and post-trip inspections
- OTR, 5%
Transported liquid OTR, performed unloading procedures.
- Customer Locations, 4%
Hauled asphalt and aggregate to customer locations
- PTO, 3%
Dispose at water disposals using PTO system on truck.
Most tank drivers use their skills in "cdl," "hazmat," and "post-trip inspections" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential tank driver responsibilities here:
Hand-eye coordination. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a tank 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." Tank drivers often use hand-eye coordination in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "performed vehicle inspection, minor maintenance, and coordination of repairs for compliance with company and highway regulations. "
Hearing ability. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling tank driver duties is hearing ability. The role rewards competence in this skill because "truck drivers need good hearing." According to a tank driver resume, here's how tank drivers can utilize hearing ability in their job responsibilities: "transport and deliver customer goods while adhearing to strict deadlines and safety regulations for professional drivers. "
Physical health. tank drivers are also known for physical health, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to tank driver responsibilities, 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." A tank driver resume example shows how physical health is used in the workplace: "maintained dot log record, kept a safe and healthy work environment. "
Visual ability. tank driver responsibilities often require "visual ability." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests." This resume example shows what tank drivers do with visual ability on a typical day: "conduct and, if applicable document, pre and post vehicle inspections, site inspections and visual tank inspections. "
The three companies that hire the most tank drivers are:
- Clean Harbors258 tank drivers jobs
- Venezia Bulk Transport208 tank drivers jobs
- Oakley Transport93 tank drivers jobs
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Compare different tank drivers
Tank 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.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a tank driver are more likely to require skills like "pto," "propane," "twic," and "ppe." On the other hand, a job as a driver trainer requires skills like "dexterity," "training programs," "defensive driving," and "customer service." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Driver trainers tend to make the most money working in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $41,269. In contrast, tank drivers make the biggest average salary, $63,447, in the transportation industry.The education levels that driver trainers earn slightly differ from tank drivers. In particular, driver trainers are 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a tank driver. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Tank 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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real tank driver resumes. While tank driver responsibilities can utilize skills like "pto," "propane," "twic," and "ppe," truck driver-over the roads use skills like "pet," "work ethic," "customer service," and "gps."
On average, truck driver-over the roads earn a higher salary than tank drivers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, truck driver-over the roads earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $67,303. Whereas tank drivers have higher pay in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $63,447.truck driver-over the roads earn similar levels of education than tank drivers in general. They're 0.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for tank drivers in the next 3-5 years?
Don Lefeve
President & Chairman of the Board, CVTA
Tank driver vs. Commercial truck driver
A commercial truck driver is primarily in charge of transporting and delivering cargo, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. Their responsibilities include driving for long durations, coordinating with logistics staff, handling documentation, and maintaining the safety of cargo. There are also instances where they must liaise with clients, unload and load cargo, and keep records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a commercial truck driver, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance checks on vehicles and adhere to the traffic laws and regulations for a safe and productive work environment.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a tank driver is likely to be skilled in "pto," "twic," "ppe," and "tanker truck," while a typical commercial truck driver is skilled in "good time management," "safety issues," "safety equipment," and "gps."
Commercial truck drivers make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $59,816. On the other hand, tank drivers are paid the highest salary in the transportation industry, with average annual pay of $63,447.Most commercial truck drivers achieve a similar degree level compared to tank drivers. For example, they're 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Tank 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.
Types of tank driver
Updated January 8, 2025
