GetTrucking.com is a campaign developed by the American Trucking Association with the aim of helping solve the growing shortage of truck drivers. Among the many topics discussed in the campaign's website is the job description of professional truck drivers and what types of driving jobs are currently available.
Most individual long haul drivers average from 100,000
miles to 110,000 miles a year, with an average daily run of about 500
miles a day. Regional and city drivers average about 48,000 miles behind
the wheel annually. You do not need to buy or lease your own truck for
most driver jobs. The vehicle is provided for you and usually maintained
by the trucking company.
U.S. professional truck drivers are both men and women, vary in age,
race and educational background, and live all over the United States.
There are different types of truck drivers, including:
Over the Road / Long-Haul Drivers operate heavy trucks and drive for
long periods of time, either interstate (between states) or intrastate
(within one state). Some long-haul drivers travel a few hundred miles
and return the same day; others are away from home overnight, or for
several days or weeks at a time. Some drivers work in teams, including
husband and wife teams.
Pick-up and Delivery (P&D) / Local Drivers operate light, medium
or heavy trucks and work in route-sales or pick-up-and-delivery
operations. These drivers have more contact with customers than over the
road drivers and usually make more stops each day. Those P&D
drivers often need sales skills in addition to driving skills.
Specialized Trucking involves specialized trucks that handle unusual,
oversized or sensitive loads. Drivers cover local and long-distance
routes, and need extra training to operate their equipment. Examples of
specialized trucking include auto carriers, dry bulk carriers,
(permitted) oversized and overweight loads, or double and triple
trailers. Other permits may be needed.
Hazardous Materials Drivers need additional training. Drivers need to
know about the content of the loads they are hauling, how to handle the
loads safely and what to do in an emergency. Drivers who transport
hazardous materials must also take a special test when applying for the
CDL that certifies them as a hazardous materials driver. Examples of
hazardous materials drivers include tank truck, over the road or P&D
drivers carrying hazardous materials. Other permits may be needed.
An Owner-Operator or Independent Driver owns his or her equipment,
anything from a straight truck to a flat-bed tractor-trailer, and hauls
freight on a contractual basis. Husband-and-wife owner-operator teams
are very common, especially in the household goods moving industry. It
is possible to make a good living as an owner-operator, but like many
businesses, the competition is tight and there are many overhead
expenses involved – equipment purchases, maintenance, fuel and
insurance, to name just a few. Most owner-operators begin their careers
as salaried drivers with a motor carrier before starting their own
business.
Rates of pay and potential earnings vary considerably within the
industry. Most city pick-up-and-delivery drivers are paid by the hour.
In long-haul operations, drivers are usually paid a specified rate per
mile, or, in some cases, a percentage of the revenue the motor carrier
receives for the load hauled.
