Over The Road Truck Driver Job Description

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Author: Lorena
Published: 14 Jan 2019

OTR Drivers: A Must-have for Long Distance Transportation, A 26ft Straight Truck Driver Position in His & Hers Logistics, Getting Your Trucks Driving and more about over the road truck driver job. Get more data about over the road truck driver job for your career planning.

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OTR Drivers: A Must-have for Long Distance Transportation

Over the long distances, drivers transport various goods. They help in the loading and unloading of cargo by securing it, keeping detailed records of hours traveled, mileage covered, and rest periods, and assisting in the transportation of cargo. To be successful as an OTR driver, you need to be knowledgeable of road safety regulations and able to keep concentration for extended periods. An outstanding driver should demonstrate excellent time management and organizational skills, as well as adhere to all company policies and procedures.

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A 26ft Straight Truck Driver Position in His & Hers Logistics

A truck driver is responsible for moving goods from one location to another. Their job duties include loading their vehicles, obeying traffic laws and ensuring safe unloading and delivery at their destination. The 26ft straight truck is being sought by His & Hers Logistics.

Must be able to provide a MVR. The driver will be local. The driver will be out for a couple of weeks.

Truck drivers work for a shipping company or a large corporation that manages its own supply chain. Truck Drivers can drive long distances in either state or country. Truck Drivers must be trained in safe driving practices and have a commercial driver's license.

Truck Drivers help with loading and unloading their vehicle. Truck Drivers are responsible for their goods' safety. Experience isn't required to become a truck driver, but experienced candidates are more likely to perform better.

Truck drivers with experience have demonstrated the ability to maintain a clean driving record, stay physically and mentally fit, and to meet the other qualifications and skills required to handle driving a big rig in dangerous situations. Truck drivers should have the skills and training to do their jobs well. Consistency and focus is required for the safety of the Truck Driver and others on the road.

Getting Your Trucks Driving

No educational requirement is required. If you own a truck, have a driver's license, and manage your transport business well, you can do it.

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The Pay Scale of OTR Truck Drivers

Truck drivers who work in the OTR area earn more than other drivers because they work longer weeks and longer hours. The lowest 10% of an OTR truck driver's salary is $37,000, with the top 10% earning over $76,000, according to PayScale.

Hours of Service Regulation for Over the Road Truck Driver

The most economical and secure way to move goods is over the road, and it is used by the retail and commercial industry. It takes a long time for the driver to haul to a destination and get the materials and goods to the destination after a long distance drive. With the aid of gps and computerized tracking technologies, truck drivers can find a route to the correct location quickly.

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Over-the Road Trucking

Hauling freight over long distances is a part of over-the-road trucking. A long-haul truck driver might spend 3-4 weeks on the road at a time, sleeping in either the truck's cabin or at hotels and motels along the way. Two-person teams are more common the road than just solo drivers.

The team can operate in shifts with someone else driving the route, so they stay compliant with driving regulations without losing time on the road. Heavy machinery, vehicles, construction materials, and consumer goods are all hauled by the drivers of the off-road vehicles. Many truck drivers start out as an off-road driver.

There is always a high demand for OTR drivers, and they can often earn higher salaries, which is why many seasoned drivers pursue an OTR career. Regional truck drivers only move goods in a specific area. The regions are broken up into states based on where they are in the continental U.S.

If you only operate in the Northeast, Midwest, or Southwest, you might be a regional trucker. Regional driving pays less than trucking but it gives drivers more time with their families. You might be on the road for several days at a time, but your routes may coincide with weekends or regular days off.

You can deliver goods from a factory to stores or from one business to another within a 200 mile area. Local drivers don't cross state lines often, but they might be needed to complete their route. The median pay for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $21.76 per hour in 2019.

The Road to Safety: A Short Review of Truck Driving

Most experienced drivers refer to truck driving as a lifestyle. Your responsibilities go beyond just holding the wheel and shifting gears and, especially for over-the-road drivers, trucking is not a switch that you just turn off at the end of the day. It is all on you, the driver, to get the job done safely, because there are so many different pieces that have to fall into place for you to be successful.

Truck driving is not like a typical 9-5 job, even for local and regional drivers who are home more often. Long hours and sometimes-frustrating circumstances are the norm, and combined with the ever-present safety concerns and danger of the job in general. Most people don't prepare themselves for the solitude of truck driving.

Today's global communications environment is a long way to alleviate loneliness, but it's not a substitute. Drivers can go long stretches of time without interacting with other humans. Some love it, some hate it, and many don't know which until they are out there.

As a potential driver, or a truck driver, you can expect a lot of scrutiny and intrusion, both before and during the process. Criminal histories, employment histories, drug histories, and background checks are all going to be part of becoming a truck driver. The average driver salary is around $42k, and rookies will usually make $35-40k their first year.

Good drivers who are skilled at time management and handling obstacles can make a very good salary, and it's not uncommon for good drivers to make $50,000+ annually. It takes a lot of skill and patience to navigate a 75-foot vehicle through traffic that is mild and heavy at the same time. Being on the road so much will make you see other drivers doing stupid things on a regular basis, and you will need to pay attention to avoid disaster.

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Driving Skills for a Vehicle

They need to be able to maneuver their vehicle and drive in difficult roads. A test drive will show the candidate's skills. You want someone with a good sense of orientation, knowledge of large vehicle maintenance, and knowledge of traffic regulations.

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