Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
On the Job
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). They may unload trucks.
Physical Demands 
This career requires good eyesight.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Follow safety procedures for vehicle operation.
- Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
- Inspect cargo areas for cleanliness or condition.
- Inspect motor vehicles.
- Monitor cargo area conditions.
- Read maps to determine routes.
- Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.
- Operate communications equipment or systems.
- Choose optimal transportation routes or speeds.
- Notify others of emergencies, problems, or hazards.
Typical Working Conditions
- Working in a closed vehicle or equipment.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Working in very hot or cold temperatures.
- Having telephone conversations.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Making decisions that impact co-workers or company results.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Dealing with external customers.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
