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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver 

What is a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver ? 

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, also known as CDL Drivers (Commercial Driver's License Driver), drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). These types of trucks include semi-trucks, dump trucks, sanitation trucks, and passenger buses. 

CLASS A CDL

A Class A CDL is required for the operation of a combination of vehicles (such as a tractor connected to a trailer) with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more and a towing capacity of more than 10,000 pounds. A Class A CDL with the correct endorsements should allow the driver to operate many commercial motor vehicles. This includes operating Class B vehicles.

CLASS B CDL

A Class B CDL is required for the operation of a single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 pounds or more and a towing capacity of no more than 10,000 pounds. With the correct endorsements, a Class B CDL holder can operate vehicles including straight trucks, buses, garbage trucks, dump trucks, delivery trucks, and cement mixers. 

To read about the different types of CDL endorsements click here. 

WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS 

$55,000/yr

Median Annual Wage for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver in the U.S.

341,000

Annual Projected Job Openings 

HIGH demand and GOOD outlook

are you a good fit to be a cdl driver? 

People starting in this career usually have:

  • Comfort operating vehicles and equipment

  • Safety mindset

  • A preference to work with things rather than people or ideas

  • A preference to work alone

  • H.S. Diploma or equivalent

  • Regular driver's license for at least one year




sKILLS & Day to day Activities

sKILLS

  • Attention to detail

  • Dependability

  • Self-control

  • Safety mindset

  • Defensive driving 

  • Stress tolerance

Day to day activities

  • Spend the majority of your day in an enclosed vehicle

  • Frequent work outdoors when loading and unloading

  • 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.

  • Utilize software to log daily hours, routes, and mileage.


PROS AND CONS OF COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVING 

PROS

  • Getting started in trucking is fairly easy and doesn't require years of schooling or lots of prior experience 

  • Truck drivers are always in demand 

  • You get to work independently

  • Your focus will be on the road so you will have a limited amount of tedious tasks to complete


CONS

  • Potential for an unhealthy lifestyle 

  • Driving for long hours can wear you out and cause instances of fatigue 

  • Though you work independently, you will be alone most days, especially if you do long trips