what is a truck driver?
As a truck driver, you pick up goods from one location and drive them to their destinations. You deliver a variety of items depending on the industry you work in. For instance, your job may involve delivering raw materials to a construction site or manufacturing company. As a truck driver, your primary focus is transporting cargo safely and efficiently. You use the recommended routes and ensure you meet the delivery schedule. Your job might also involve taking care of the receipt and delivery of cargo.
Aside from driving trucks, you also perform other duties like loading and unloading goods. You are also responsible for vehicle maintenance, like cleaning the trucks and completing minor repairs before using the vehicles. Since you move cargo long distances, knowing all the traffic laws in the U.S. is essential. You also ensure your cargo does not exceed the recommended weight. Most companies and warehouses have weighbridges to measure the weight of the trucks as they leave the warehouses. Your job also involves dealing with timesheets and you carefully log safety incidents.
view jobs near youaverage salary of a truck driver
In the U.S., a truck driver gets an estimated total pay of $67,841 annually. What’s more, Glassdoor reports that the average salary of a truck driver across the country is $64,008. Like other professions, the salary of a truck driver varies, depending on several factors mentioned in the next section.
what factors affect the salary of a truck driver?
Your remuneration package fluctuates depending on your qualifications and experience. While truck drivers do not require formal education, having a Certificate III in driving operations improves your salary prospects. Driving experience also determines your earnings. With an exceptional driving record, you will likely earn more than a new driver with minimal knowledge of driving heavy trucks.
The industry you work in also determines your remuneration package. For instance, working in manufacturing or construction companies may attract a higher salary due to the complexity of the role. Transporting liquids like oils in tankers also improves your earnings since they are high-risk products. The vehicle sizes also influence your salary; operating large vehicles is physically demanding and often attracts higher wages than driving medium-sized cargo trucks.
Wondering what you can earn as a truck driver? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a truck driver is.
types of truck drivers
Some of the types of truck drivers include:
- heavy truck drivers: As a heavy truck driver, you drive heavy trucks to carry bulky goods or raw materials. You usually transport large equipment or machinery to manufacturing companies or a work site. Sometimes, you transport heavy loads in specially designed trailers attached to the truck. You rely on a pilot vehicle operator to stay safe on the roads.
- tow truck drivers: You ferry damaged vehicles from the roadway to the mechanic's shop. The role involves working all hours, including nights. You also work in rigorous weather to assist stranded vehicle owners.
- bulk liquid drivers: As a bulk liquid driver, you carry pressurized gases or liquids in large quantities in a tanker. The tankers are specially designed to transport the liquids safely. Bulk liquid drivers usually work for the chemical and mining industries.
- livestock transport drivers: As a livestock driver, you transport sheep and cattle between farms or ports for export. Since you transport large numbers of livestock, you require experience transporting bulky goods and live animals. You will likely work in remote areas and should be familiar with driving on unsealed roads.
working as a truck driver
If you are looking for an outdoor career that allows you to travel, find out more about the work schedules and specific tasks involved in the role.
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truck driver job description
A truck driver performs the following tasks:
- loading and unloading trucks: As a truck driver, you load the cargo or loads onto a truck before departure. Depending on your company, you may load the goods using forklifts, lifting or tipping devices. Some goods are also loaded by hand. Additionally, you inspect the goods before departure to ensure the cargo is secure to prevent damage or loss in transit. When you arrive at your destination, you assist in offloading the materials or loads, which often involves maneuvering the truck.
- verifying loading documents and certification of delivery: When picking up raw materials or goods from a warehouse or manufacturer, it is crucial to obtain loading documents. The documents are helpful for verifying deliveries. They should contain the quantity, weight and condition of items before transit. When you finish offloading goods, ensure you receive a certificate of delivery from the recipient detailing the state of the delivered items and the time of delivery.
- driving trucks: As a truck driver, your primary responsibility is to drive the trucks ferrying goods from one location to another. You should adhere to road safety regulations and follow traffic laws. It is also essential to stick to the delivery schedule and avoid delays. In case of a breakdown, you call the dispatcher to get the needed assistance.
- maintaining transport logs: As a truck driver, you maintain time sheets with details of journeys. Having a work diary or transport logs helps you keep track of the deliveries made on a particular day in case of disputes.
- inspecting goods and trucks: As a truck driver, your job involves checking the goods and products mid-trip to ensure they are in perfect condition. You also perform security checks on your truck to guarantee a safe drive. If you spot any problems on the truck, you should seek assistance from the dispatcher.
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work environment
As a truck driver, you spend most of your career on the road. One of the advantages of working outdoors is the scenic views. You also spend a significant amount of time inside vehicles. Some companies have internal policies limiting driving times, but driving for eight to ten hours is not unusual. Truck drivers usually take advantage of truck stops and designated rest areas to relax. Since you traverse long-distance routes, you may be away from home for weeks or days. Some companies provide uniforms for truck drivers, while other employers have flexible dress codes.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include dispatchers, logistics managers and warehouse managers. You might also be working close to forklift drivers, production workers and warehouse workers, as well as other specialists that could include procurement managers, merchandisers, inventory specialists and mechanics.
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work schedule
The work schedule of a truck driver varies daily depending on transport schedules and routes. If you cover long-distance routes, you will likely drive to the destination for days to complete a single assignment. Company regulations usually determine the driving hours, and you may drive for 10 hours a day before resting. Company policies dictate generally how often you can rest and any scheduled stops. Sometimes, you drive overnight or early morning to avoid missing delivery schedules. Working as a truck driver keeps you away from home for days or weeks. Most companies provide leave days between trips.
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job outlook
Truck drivers have numerous growth opportunities. For instance, you could progress to logistics or procurement roles. Some truck drivers move to warehouse and inventory management roles, while others specialize in truck maintenance or become forklift operators. Alternatively, you can drive specialized trucks, heavy trucks or road trains.
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benefits of working for randstad as a truck driver
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a truck driver is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
truck driver skills and education
Although you do not need a college degree to become a truck driver, a General Educational Development (GED) or a high school diploma is highly recommended. In the U.S., there are a number of steps you should consider before becoming a truck driver. These steps are as follows:
- know the age requirement: before you start a career in truck driving, you should know there is an age requirement, which is 21 years in the U.S. You can, however, obtain a learner’s permit at an early age of 18 years. Furthermore, some military and pilot programs run by the federal government allow drivers below 21 years to work.
- pass your regular driver’s license exam in your state: before earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL), you need to pass the regular driver’s license exam your state offers. After that, it is important that you complete the GED or a high school diploma since most companies looking for long-haul drivers prefer to work with employees who hold a GED credential or a high school diploma.
- consider a professional training program: you can also consider starting professional training offered by community colleges across the country. Additionally, there are trucking companies and private truck driving schools that offer truck driving programs. These programs, in return, allow you to take the CDL exam. It is important to note that some states rely on their own accrediting and auditing programs to evaluate their truck drivers. As such, you should know the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) regulations in your state.
truck driver skills and competencies
According to Cloudtrucks, you need both hard skills and soft skills to become a successful truck driver. Hard skills are technical abilities that allow you to operate a truck with little to no issues. On the other hand, soft skills are intangible and focus on your ability to communicate effectively with your colleagues. They also focus on behavioral and interpersonal competencies. Examples of soft skills include:
- adaptability
- time management
- organization
- communication
- patience
- trustworthiness
Hard skills, on the other hand, include:
- proper driving skills
- backing and docking skills
- navigation skills
- logbook management
- route driving
- load securing
It is worth noting that soft skills are just as important as hard skills since they help you build positive relationships, which, in turn, ensures you go about your business effortlessly. These skills also help maintain a successful and professional truck driving career.
FAQs about working as a truck driver
Here, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about truck drivers.
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how can I overcome common challenges truck drivers go through?
Some of the challenges truck drivers go through are lack of sleep and job pressures. However, you can overcome these challenges by managing your time accordingly. Proper time management helps you finish tasks on time so you can go home early enough and have a good night’s rest.
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what do I need to know as a truck driver?
As a truck driver, you should maintain your vehicle to help extend its lifespan. You should also check your blind spots to avoid accidents. Moreover, always ensure you use your signals when on the road for maximum safety.
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how do I succeed in a truck driving career?
To become a successful truck driver, you need to consider the following:
- stay safe and keep other motorists safe
- listen to your safety department
- ensure you deliver the loads in a timely manner
- maintain a clean driving record
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what do most people love about the truck driving career?
A career in truck driving is pretty popular in the U.S. because it is well-paying. Additionally, people love the truck driving career because it is relatively simple, especially if you have been driving for years.
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what should I say in a truck driving interview?
During a truck driving interview, you should be keen to highlight your abilities and successes. You should also emphasize on the strategies you use to deliver the loads on time. This is important because it gives interviewers a clear picture of what to expect in case they choose to hire you.
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how do I find a job as a truck driver?
Applying for a truck driver job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our data engineer jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
