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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

Also called Driver, Line Haul Driver, Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver), or Truck Driver

What Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers do

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.

Who tends to enjoy it

Hands-on

People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.

Organizing

People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.

Curious

People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.

What you'd actually do

  • Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
  • Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
  • Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
  • Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
  • Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
  • Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
  • Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
  • Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.

A typical day involves

In a vehicle or enclosed equipment Outdoors in all weather Using your hands Wearing safety gear Deadlines and time pressure Sitting Face-to-face with people

Skills that matter most

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Monitoring
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking

What you'll need to know

  • Transportation
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Law and Government

Where to study for this

College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.

Related careers

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Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.

Little to some preparation

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Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.

Little to some preparation

Construction and Extraction

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

Little to some preparation

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 53-3032.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.