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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Occupation Detailed Description

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

The main tasks and work activities of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers are to follow safety procedures for vehicle operation, inspect motor vehicles, record operational or production data, record service or repair activities. In general, for the Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, operation and Control, operation Monitoring, time Management, monitoring and other 5 skills are required.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs. 55.72% of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 14.60% of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
18.77%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
55.72%
Post-Secondary Certificate
14.60%
Some College Courses
4.63%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.81%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
5.47%

Tasks and Work Activities of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

  • Follow appropriate safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods.
  • Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
  • Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
  • Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
  • Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
  • Drive trucks with capacities greater than 3 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
  • Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, or covers.
  • Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
  • Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
  • Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes.
  • Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks.
  • Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
  • Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
  • Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
  • Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid or performing minor repairs.
  • Inventory and inspect goods to be moved to determine quantities and conditions.
  • Remove debris from loaded trailers.
  • Follow special cargo-related procedures, such as checking refrigeration systems for frozen foods or providing food or water for livestock.
  • Give directions to laborers who are packing goods and moving them onto trailers.
  • Install or remove special equipment, such as tire chains, grader blades, plow blades, or sanders.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Follow safety procedures for vehicle operation.
  • Inspect motor vehicles.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Record service or repair activities.
  • Collect fares or payment from customers.
  • Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
  • Secure cargo.
  • Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.
  • Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.
  • Report vehicle or equipment malfunctions.
  • Read maps to determine routes.
  • Connect cables or electrical lines.
  • Verify information or specifications.
  • Inspect cargo areas for cleanliness or condition.
  • Maintain vehicles in good working condition.
  • Acquire supplies or equipment.
  • Remove debris or damaged materials.
  • Monitor cargo area conditions.
  • Direct material handling or moving activities.
  • Install parts, assemblies, or attachments in transportation or material handling equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Response OrientationThe ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Rate ControlThe ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • Depth PerceptionThe ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Spatial OrientationThe ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Peripheral VisionThe ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
  • Tower cranese.g. 4-ranger tower trucks
  • Air compressorse.g. Air compressors
  • Blocks or pulleyse.g. Blocks and tackle
  • Hoistse.g. Cargo hoists
  • Mobile phonese.g. Cell phones
  • Dump truckse.g. Dump trucks
  • Cargo truckse.g. Flatbed trucks
  • Forkliftse.g. Forklifts
  • Global positioning system GPS receivere.g. Global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Liftse.g. Handlifts
  • Hand trucks or accessoriese.g. Handtrucks
  • Liftse.g. Hydraulic lifts
  • Liftse.g. Johnson bars
  • Laser fax machinee.g. Laser facsimile machines
  • Flatbed trailerse.g. Lowboy trailers
  • Notebook computerse.g. Notebook computers
  • Thin client computerse.g. On-board computers
  • Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizerse.g. Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Snowplow attachmentse.g. Plow attachments
  • Container trailerse.g. Pup trailers
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.