The 9 Types of Truck Driving Jobs

A commercial driver’s license opens the door to a variety of trucking jobs, from dry van hauling to auto hauling. Whatever your interests, there’s a job in trucking that’s right for you.

1. Dry Van Hauler

“Dry Van” refers to rectangular trailers filled with goods packed in pallets or boxes hauled by semi-trucks. These drivers are typically not required to unload the goods they’re transporting. Dry van hauling is an easy first step for professional drivers.

2. Freight Hauler

Freight hauling refers to transporting cargo that doesn’t fall under the umbrella of dry van hauling. These drivers may carry loads with hazardous, liquid, or oversized cargo that require special care.

3. Flatbed Hauler

Flatbed haulers carry dry products or machinery on open-air trailers. These loads won’t fit in a typical trailer because they’re oddly shaped or oversized. Drivers need extensive training before they can qualify for flatbed hauling. For example, they need to know how to tie down their cargo. Experienced flatbed haulers are paid more than dry van haulers.

4. Tanker Hauler

Tanker haulers transport hazardous and non-hazardous liquids. Driver’s are paid top dollar to safely deliver these types of loads. If they’re carrying hazardous liquids, then they need to know how to act quickly in case of accident or emergency.

5. Refrigerated Hauler

Drivers that transport refrigerated trailers have goods that must remain at a certain temperature. Freezing shipping containers must be delivered within a certain period of time, which means drivers must meet distance requirements and know how to set and check the temperature of their trailer. This skill set demands a higher pay than dry hauling.

6. Less Than Truckload (LTL) Haulers

These types of drivers deliver small, localized loads. They’re often required to load and unload their own shipments, but earn less per load. However, they typically make multiple deliveries per day.

7. Local/Regional Haulers

Local and regional freight haulers transport freight over a shorter distance than LTL drivers, but spend the night at home instead of driving for two weeks at a time.

8. Hotshot Haulers

These drivers operate a class 3 or 5 truck with a small trailer attachment. Hotshot haulers deliver goods as fast as possible, multiple times per day.

9. Auto Haulers

Auto haulers transport vehicles and must know how to carefully maneuver their heavy loads. They drive  slower but earn more than semi-truck haulers.