Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

• Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
• Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
• Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
• Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
• Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
• Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
• Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
• Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
• Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks.
• Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid, performing minor repairs, or washing trucks.
• Drive trucks with capacities greater than 3 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
• Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
• Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes.
• Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
• Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations.
• Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.
• Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary.
• Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
• Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs.
• Remove debris from loaded trailers.

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.