{"id":20207,"date":"2023-11-29T07:08:35","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T15:08:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/?p=20207"},"modified":"2024-01-02T06:50:09","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T14:50:09","slug":"different-types-of-trucking-jobs-and-how-to-choose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/different-types-of-trucking-jobs-and-how-to-choose","title":{"rendered":"Different Types of Trucking Jobs and How to Choose"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the right type of trucking job, you can make an enjoyable and sustainable income. Plenty of people are interested in working in the trucking industry, transporting goods across the country, and keeping our economy moving. Now more than ever, trucking companies need new and committed drivers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But, before you get your foot in the trucking industry, it\u2019s important to understand what type of trucking job you are looking for. There are dozens of trucking types to choose from, and each one requires different skill sets. Different types of trucking jobs require specific upfront investments, as well as specialized commercial driver licensing requirements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finding the right trucking job for you is a major step toward your success as a carrier. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the types of trucking jobs available \u2014 and the pros and cons of each. By the end of this article, you will have a better idea of the most common types of truck drivers on the road.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What types of trucking jobs are there?<\/h2>\n

Trucking is more than just driving a <\/span>semi-truck<\/span><\/a> from point A to point B. Trucking is one of the centerpieces of the nation\u2019s economy, bringing large quantities of freight from shippers to distributors and customers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Most people think of trucking in terms of long-haul trucking, driving semi trucks full of freight across the interstate. But long-haul trucking is just one of many different types of trucking jobs available. In fact, many carriers start off in smaller vehicles with fewer upfront costs before moving onto full-size trucks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at six of the most common types of trucking jobs and what makes them tick.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

1. Long-haul trucking (a.k.a. \u201cOTR trucking\u201d)<\/h3>\n

Long-haul trucking is probably what most people think of when we talk about working as a trucker. Also known as <\/span>over-the-road (OTR) trucking<\/span><\/a>, long-haul truckers carry freight from shippers to consignees. Long-haul truckers require the longest journeys away from home base, with lots of interstate travel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Long-haul trips<\/a> last more than a day and often last up to a week. Because long-haul truckers are constantly transporting loads across the continent, this job is best suited for people who are comfortable with long-term trips on the road. Some might see this as a con of OTR trucking \u2014 but plenty of long-haul truckers enjoy the travel. For people interested in the long-haul lifestyle, long-haul trucking can be an excellent way to make more money than carriers who operate across short distances.<\/p>\n

A Class A CDL license is the licensing requirement for OTR truckers.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

2. Dry van trucking<\/h3>\n

Dry van trucking<\/span><\/a> refers to the type of trailer you\u2019re using \u2014 not the trip’s distance. Dry van trucking makes use of a traditional semi truck with a 53-foot trailer, which is filled with cargo from your shipper. Many dry van trucking jobs are long-haul, meaning you will spend multiple days on the road and potentially even switch drivers. Bear in mind that dry van trucking also requires Class A CDL licensing (which we will talk about later in more detail).<\/span><\/p>\n

Dry van trucking generally uses loose, dry freight that\u2019s not refrigerated \u2014 lots of household items are transported in dry van trucks, including non-perishable foods, household items, and anything else that isn\u2019t temperature sensitive and can be transported on pallets. In terms of labor requirements, dry van truckers are almost always <\/span>not <\/span><\/i>responsible for loading the goods on and off the truck \u2014 that is the job of the shipper and the consignee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to become a long-haul trucker, there are lots of trucking companies that hire long-haul truckers on a contract basis. It is also possible to become an owner-operator for long-haul vehicles, but this often requires more upfront investment than smaller, local trucking companies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because dry van truckers are in high demand, lots of truck drivers start off as dry van drivers before they move on to other, more specialized freight.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

3. Flatbed trucking<\/h3>\n

Flatbed truck drivers<\/span><\/a> transport specialty freight, usually across long-haul distances. Because flatbeds often carry oversized freight that can be difficult to load on and off, there is a high demand for flatbed carriers in the transportation industry. As a result, flatbed truckers can make more than traditional dry van truckers for long trips (though those earnings can be offset by the higher expenses that flatbed truckers typically face due to their vehicles being significantly less fuel efficient).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are certainly some cons to flatbed trucking \u2014 it\u2019s a difficult job that requires you to transport difficult materials. Flatbed materials, for one reason or another, cannot fit inside a 53-foot trailer. Because of their unusual size and\/or shape, flatbed loads need to be secured by an expert in order to avoid major accidents. Flatbed drivers may also end up paying more for cargo insurance, depending on the value of the loads you will be transporting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Flatbed truckers aren\u2019t always long-haul, though. If you\u2019re interested in a challenging trucking job with regional or local routes, a flatbed could be a good option for you. There are also plenty of long-haul flatbed routes, which require overnight stays.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

4. Tanker trucking<\/h3>\n

Tanker truckers<\/span><\/a> can make a lot of money compared to traditional dry bed truckers. But the dangers of sensitive tanker freight \u2014 and the difficulty of transporting tanker goods \u2014 is the reason for this increase in pay. Tanker truckers are in high demand since tanker trucks carry gasoline to gas stations, and chemicals to factories.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tankers often transport hazardous liquids and gasses, which requires a more experienced truck driver. Although not all tanker truckers contain hazmat materials, it is common for tanker truckers to be more experienced due to the difficulty of transporting and loading on and off large amounts of liquid, gas, or dry bulk.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re just starting off in the trucking industry, you may wish to consider a type of vehicle with less challenging load requirements, like a dry van. To become a tanker driver, you will need a CDL A license.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

5. Reefer trucking<\/h3>\n

Refrigerated trucks<\/span><\/a> \u2014 also known as \u201creefer\u201d trucks \u2014 provide an important service for food industries across the country. A wide variety of different reefer jobs exist, from local food transportation to large refrigerated trucks for wholesale companies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even though there are lots of different types of reefer trucks, they all have one thing in common \u2014 a controlled, low-temperature environment. With a refrigerated load, you will need to continuously monitor the temperature of your trailer. You will also need to understand how to quickly identify and address temperature issues, to prevent major damage to your loads. Additionally, all reefer trucks can also haul dry van freight in a pinch!<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the size and scope of your reefer truck, you may need either a CDL B or CDL A license. Long-haul reefer trailers will require a CDL A license.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

6. Car hauling<\/h3>\n

Car haulers are an important part of the transportation industry, bringing multiple vehicles across long distances. Whether you\u2019re transporting new vehicles from a port to a dealer, or old vehicles to a dealership, car hauling often requires long-distance transportation. It is also possible to perform regional and local car hauling, which gives car haulers a degree of flexibility in the length of their routes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A major advantage of car hauling is the potential for high-paying loads. With luxury car transportation, car haulers can make more than most other experienced truck drivers. The caveat is that luxury car hauling is a high-risk profession \u2014 this means insurance is often expensive, and you will need a pristine driving record to transport luxury vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Car hauling is a high-skill job that requires CDL A licensing \u2014 even for regional and local car haulers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the requirements for different types of truck drivers?<\/h2>\n

By now, you\u2019ve heard a lot about licensing with the CDL program. But what is CDL, and how easy is it to get CDL certification?<\/span><\/p>\n

A <\/span>commercial driver’s license (CDL)<\/span><\/a> is a type of license that allows you to make money from transporting freight. Whenever you bring loads from point A to point B in a car or truck, you will need to CDL to legally operate. If you already have a regular driver\u2019s license, you can begin the CDL process with a CDL learner\u2019s permit. This requires a medical background check to ensure your safety on the road, as well as a CDL road test.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The three types of CDL licenses available for commercial drivers are:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n