Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Driver, Line Haul Driver, Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver), Truck Driver
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
- 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.
Knowledge
Transportation
- movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Safety and Government
- public safety and security
- law and government
Business
- customer service
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Skills
Basic Skills
- keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
- reading work related information
Problem Solving
- noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Abilities
Controlled Movement
- change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving
- quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
Spatial
- know where things are around you
- imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed
Vision
- see details that are far away
- decide which thing is closer or farther away from you or decide how far away it is from you
Attention
- pay attention to something without being distracted
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Self Control
- Stress Tolerance
- Cooperation
- Integrity
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Word processing software
- 3M Post-it App
- Microsoft Word
Data base user interface and query software
- ddlsoftware.com drivers daily log program DDL
- TruckersHelper
Route navigation software
- ALK Technologies PC*Miler
- MarcoSoft Quo Vadis
Education
Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
no high school diploma/GED
usually needed
no high school diploma/GED
usually needed
Job Outlook
Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Explore More
- Bus & Truck Mechanics & Diesel Engine Specialists
- Industrial Truck & Tractor Operators
- Light Truck Drivers
- Loading & Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
- Tank Car, Truck, & Ship Loaders
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.