Del Mar College
Commercial Truck Drivers
John Rojas
Del Mar College
361-698-2707
jrojas@delmar.edu
| Program Type | Credential Type | Level | Required Hours | Online | Finanical Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CTE | CE | 200 | Some | Yes |
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
At a Glance
Median Salary
$41,442
$41,442
Local Jobs
3,755
3,755
Entry-Level Education
High School
High School
Occupation Profile
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers’ license. Includes tow truck drivers.
By The Numbers
Median Annual Earnings
$41,442
Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation
Local Jobs
3,755
Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)
Entry-Level Education
High School
This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.
Daily Tasks
- 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.
Occupational Skills
What skills are necessary for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Hard Skills
Commercial Driving
Dry Van Truck Operation
Flatbed Truck Operation
Forklift Truck
Oil And Gas
Pre-Trip And Post-Trip Vehicle Inspections
Supply And Demand
Tanker Truck Operation
Truck Driving
Warehousing
Dry Van Truck Operation
Flatbed Truck Operation
Forklift Truck
Oil And Gas
Pre-Trip And Post-Trip Vehicle Inspections
Supply And Demand
Tanker Truck Operation
Truck Driving
Warehousing
Soft Skills
Cleanliness
Communications
Customer Service
Good Driving Record
Lifting Ability
Loading And Unloading
Management
Operations
Professionalism
Valid Driver's License
Communications
Customer Service
Good Driving Record
Lifting Ability
Loading And Unloading
Management
Operations
Professionalism
Valid Driver's License
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.
Education Programs
Learn More About
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Visit Career Coach for in-depth information and available training programs for this job.
