There’s a variety of different truck driving positions and jobs out there. If you’re a new truck driver or thinking about becoming a truck driver, you should get familiar with the different positions that are available. Although you’re are likely to start out as an OTR truck driver, you’ll be able to apply for new positions once you get some experience under your belt. Now, we’ll take a look at the most common truck driving positions.
- Long Haul, Over the Road (OTR) – In long haul truck driving jobs, drivers deliver freight from one location to another across the country, usually getting paid by the mile, and may be gone for weeks at a time. Often new drivers start out as OTR truckers. This is where most rookie truck drivers start at, although we know veterans that love OTR trucking jobs.
- Owner Operators – These drivers own and drive their own trucks, hauling freight for companies on a contract basis. Owner operators have a lot of responsibility but can offer the highest paid income of any trucking position.
- Regional – Truckers deliver in a set geographic region, usually only going two or three states out, and are home more often than OTR drivers. Some regional trucking jobs have more range, stretching 5 states or more. Although you may have more time at home, it can be a long work week for most regional truck drivers.
- Local – Drivers work within their own area or nearby areas and are home each night. Local drivers are usually paid by the hour. Connections are crucial to getting most local trucking jobs but experience can play a vital role also.
- Dedicated – Drivers routinely run set routes, day after day. Dedicated truck driving jobs are ideal for truckers who want a consistent schedule. This is a position that is wanted by many experienced truck drivers that have family and children.
- LTL – Drivers carry less than a truckload, making frequent stops, and usually do their own loading and unloading. Just like any other trucking position, LTL truck drivers have their pros and cons.
- Reefer – Hauling refrigerated trailers with perishable goods. The larger percentage of reefer trucking jobs are usually short-traveled destinations, close to distributors or retail outlets.
- Team – In team truck driving jobs, two people take turns driving one truck on the same shift. One drives, the other sleeps. Team trucking jobs can be rewarding for both members and can save you half the cost of expenses if you can get along with your partner. Team driver positions are great for couples, for the most part that is.
