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What does a Tractor-Trailer Driver do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted Expert
Don Lefeve
What does a Tractor-Trailer Driver do

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.

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Tractor-trailer driver responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real tractor-trailer driver resumes:

  • Experience in semi driving, logging, managing bills of lading, light maintenance, vehicle inspections.
  • Maintain air brake certification and CDL with tank endorsement.
  • Maintain communication with dispatcher via GPS capable cellular phones.
  • Lease purchase, OTR driver, all lower 48 and Canada.
  • Perform duties of that require as an owner operator OTR truck driver.
  • Attend annual re-licensing to learn about new laws and HAZMAT industry procedures.
  • Recognize for diligent work ethic; encourage by supervisor to acquire CDL license.
  • Assist ground crews on asphalt paving machine and other relate projects requiring handwork.
  • Verify security and condition of cargo, truck, while employing industry standard HAZMAT procedures.
  • Utilize GPS device to plan routes for the delivery of goods and services to different suppliers.
  • Transport asphalt to work sites, gaining a general knowledge of asphalt paving equipment and procedures.
  • Deliver pallets to various customers including Wal-Mart, Stanley tools office mart to their distribution locations
  • Drive flatb with sand sacs from train depot to load site.

Tractor-trailer driver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 38% of Tractor-Trailer Drivers are proficient in DOT, CDL, and OTR. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Hearing ability, and Physical health.

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

  • DOT, 38%

    Transported freight to companies nightly Provided professional customer service Completed all required DOT documents for assigned shift

  • CDL, 21%

    Maintained CDL Class A License, kept accurate time logs, and followed State and Federal Trucking Regulations.

  • OTR, 15%

    Know and understand Department of Transportation rules and regulation pertaining to the OTR Driver, equipment and cargo.

  • Customer Service, 5%

    Foster relationships with store management and personnel and provide superior customer service.

  • Post-Trip Inspections, 3%

    Performed daily pre-and post-trip inspections on equipment.

  • Vehicle Inspections, 3%

    Conducted daily commercial vehicle inspections with completion of necessary repairs to vehicle to assure operational safety.

Common skills that a tractor-trailer driver uses to do their job include "dot," "cdl," and "otr." You can find details on the most important tractor-trailer driver responsibilities below.

Hand-eye coordination. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a tractor-trailer 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." Tractor-trailer drivers often use hand-eye coordination in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "maintain accurate and safe log book.load unload freight.communicate with brokers dispatch and coordination of loads"

Hearing ability. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling tractor-trailer driver duties is hearing ability. The role rewards competence in this skill because "truck drivers need good hearing." According to a tractor-trailer driver resume, here's how tractor-trailer 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. This is an important skill for tractor-trailer drivers to perform their duties. For an example of how tractor-trailer 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 tractor-trailer driver: "ensured accurate and timely pickups and deliveries by memorizing routes and maintaining healthy routines to ensure alertness during my shift. ".

Visual ability. For certain tractor-trailer driver responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "visual ability." The day-to-day duties of a tractor-trailer driver rely on this skill, as "truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what tractor-trailer drivers do: "maintained education in successfully, handling hazardous materials; visually recognized colored labels and placards. "

Most common tractor-trailer driver skills

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Compare different tractor-trailer drivers

Tractor-trailer 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.

If we compare the average tractor-trailer driver annual salary with that of a driver trainer, we find that driver trainers typically earn a $12,424 lower salary than tractor-trailer drivers make annually.Even though tractor-trailer drivers and driver trainers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require cdl, otr, and customer service in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, tractor-trailer driver responsibilities require skills like "dot," "pallet jack," "fmcsa," and "safety procedures." Meanwhile a typical driver trainer has skills in areas such as "dexterity," "training programs," "defensive driving," and "customer orders." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Driver trainers really shine in the transportation industry with an average salary of $41,269. Comparatively, tractor-trailer drivers tend to make the most money in the transportation industry with an average salary of $58,745.The education levels that driver trainers earn slightly differ from tractor-trailer drivers. In particular, driver trainers are 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a tractor-trailer driver. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Tractor-trailer 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.

On average, driver/movers earn a $26,181 lower salary than tractor-trailer drivers a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Tractor-trailer drivers and driver/movers both require similar skills like "cdl," "customer service," and "pallet jack" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that tractor-trailer driver responsibilities requires skills like "dot," "otr," "post-trip inspections," and "vehicle inspections." But a driver/mover might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "equipment inventory," "complete paperwork," "truck inspections," and "office furniture."

Driver/movers may earn a lower salary than tractor-trailer drivers, but driver/movers earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $33,850. On the other hand, tractor-trailer drivers receive higher pay in the transportation industry, where they earn an average salary of $58,745.driver/movers earn similar levels of education than tractor-trailer drivers in general. They're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Tractor-Trailer 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.

Tractor-trailer 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.

On average scale, drivers bring in lower salaries than tractor-trailer drivers. In fact, they earn a $23,727 lower salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on tractor-trailer drivers and drivers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "dot," "cdl," and "otr.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, tractor-trailer drivers are more likely to have skills like "fmcsa," "tractor-trailer truck," "driver logs," and "building materials." But a driver is more likely to have skills like "math," "basic math," "safety rules," and "cleanliness."

Drivers earn the highest salary when working in the manufacturing industry, where they receive an average salary of $39,688. Comparatively, tractor-trailer drivers have the highest earning potential in the transportation industry, with an average salary of $58,745.Most drivers achieve a similar degree level compared to tractor-trailer drivers. For example, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Tractor-trailer driver vs. Over the road driver

Over the road, (OTR) drivers are the truckers driving the big semi-trailer truck that hauls all types of goods to their destinations across the states. Their journey typically begins with loading the freight onto the trailer, requiring them to lift heavy materials and load the cargo properly to avoid shifting while in transit. They often sleep in the sleeper berth at a truck stop to eat, freshen up and refuel. They are allowed to go on a 30-minute break after an eight-hour drive.

Over the road drivers average a higher salary than the annual salary of tractor-trailer drivers. The difference is about $3,621 per year.According to resumes from tractor-trailer drivers and over the road drivers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "cdl," "customer service," and "post-trip inspections. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "dot," "otr," "commercial vehicles," and "tractor-trailer truck" are skills that commonly show up on tractor-trailer driver resumes. On the other hand, over the road drivers use skills like pet, dot regulations, cleanliness, and federal motor on their resumes.In general, over the road drivers earn the most working in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $62,648. The highest-paying industry for a tractor-trailer driver is the transportation industry.The average resume of over the road drivers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to tractor-trailer drivers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.3%.

Types of tractor-trailer 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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