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What does a trailer truck driver do?

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

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

  • Manage and expedite the secure transportation and accountability of logistic materials and HAZMAT chemicals to commercial, state and government facilities.
  • Used GPS and/or maps to familiarize routes effectively.
  • Pick up and deliver brewery items to distributorwork local routes as well as otr routesdrove deliveries to las vegas and beyond
  • Report to dispatch receive orders of the day or night complete tank-trailer inspection maintain OTR paper logs records and tanks service
  • Check all load documentation for accuracy, inspect load and receive required signatures for pickup and delivery.
  • Look after the maintenance of general commodities such as steel, pipes, and associate LTL loads.
  • Keep track of logs, miles, and bol's.

Trailer truck driver skills and personality traits

We calculated that 55% of Trailer Truck Drivers are proficient in CDL, Commodities, and DOT. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Hearing ability, and Physical health.

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

  • CDL, 55%

    Maintained North Carolina Class A CDL with HazMat and Tanker Endorsement

  • Commodities, 16%

    Transported commodities to specified destinations safely.

  • DOT, 7%

    Maintain and operate tractor trailer combinations within DOT regulations.

  • OTR, 5%

    Trained in over 600 hours and OTR training.

  • Tractor-Trailer Combination, 2%

    Operated tractor-trailer combination pulling 48 foot food grade tank trailers transporting bulk milk between farms, dairies and commercial establishments.

  • Asphalt, 1%

    Transported asphalt to work sites, gaining a general knowledge of asphalt paving equipment and procedures.

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

Hand-eye coordination. The most essential soft skill for a trailer 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 trailer truck driver resume shows how their duties depend on hand-eye coordination: "manage inventory -write orders - driving safely and following dot regulations skills used organization, time management, customer service and coordination"

Hearing ability. Another essential skill to perform trailer truck driver duties is hearing ability. Trailer truck drivers responsibilities require that "truck drivers need good hearing." Trailer truck drivers also use hearing ability in their role according to a real resume snippet: "transport and deliver customer goods while adhearing to strict deadlines and safety regulations for professional drivers. "

Physical health. trailer truck drivers are also known for physical health, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to trailer truck 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 trailer truck driver resume example shows how physical health is used in the workplace: "transported groceries, dairies, frozen foods, health and beauty aids to stores throughout the washington metropolitan area and baltimore. "

All trailer truck driver skills

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

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Compare different trailer truck drivers

Trailer truck 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 $11,126 lower than the average salary of trailer truck drivers.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between trailer truck 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, otr, and tractor-trailer combination.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a trailer truck driver are more likely to require skills like "commodities," "dot," "asphalt," and "tractor-trailer truck." 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 really shine in the transportation industry with an average salary of $41,269. Comparatively, trailer truck drivers tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $66,385.driver trainers tend to reach similar levels of education than trailer truck drivers. In fact, driver trainers are 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Trailer 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.

Driver/mover positions earn lower pay than trailer truck driver roles. They earn a $24,883 lower salary than trailer truck drivers per year.

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

On average, driver/movers earn a lower salary than trailer truck drivers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, driver/movers earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $33,850. Whereas trailer truck drivers have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $66,385.In general, driver/movers achieve similar levels of education than trailer truck drivers. They're 1.3% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

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

Trailer 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.

An average cdl driver eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of trailer truck drivers. The difference in salaries amounts to cdl drivers earning a $5,912 higher average salary than trailer truck drivers.By looking over several trailer truck drivers and cdl drivers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "commodities," "dot," and "otr." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, trailer truck drivers are more likely to have skills like "cdl," "tractor-trailer truck," "federal motor," and "gvw." But a cdl driver is more likely to have skills like "cdl-a," "customer service," "pet," and "hazmat."

Cdl drivers earn the highest salary when working in the retail industry, where they receive an average salary of $63,457. Comparatively, trailer truck drivers have the highest earning potential in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $66,385.Most cdl drivers achieve a similar degree level compared to trailer truck drivers. For example, they're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Trailer 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.

Van drivers typically earn lower pay than trailer truck drivers. On average, van drivers earn a $20,946 lower salary per year.According to resumes from trailer truck drivers and van drivers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "cdl," "otr," and "safety equipment. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A trailer truck driver uses "commodities," "dot," "tractor-trailer combination," and "asphalt." Van drivers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer service," "mechanical problems," "patients," and "pet. "The transportation industry tends to pay the highest salaries for van drivers, with average annual pay of $37,113. Comparatively, the highest trailer truck driver annual salary comes from the automotive industry.The average resume of van drivers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to trailer truck drivers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.4%.

Types of trailer 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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