The 9 Types of Truck Driving Jobs

Truck driving is a career with many options. You could drive locally or cross country. You could work for a trucking company or be an owner-operator. You also have nine different types of truck driving jobs to choose from.

1. Dry van hauler

One of the most common types of trucking job out there, dry van haulers operate semi-trucks with rectangular trailers and deliver shipments of easy-to-transport goods packaged in pallets or boxes. These drivers are typically not required to unload the goods themselves.

2. Freight hauler

Freight hauling encompasses all types of cargo not delivered by dry van hauling. This may include transporting hazardous, liquid, or oversized cargo.

3. Flatbed hauler

This form of trucking involves transporting dry products or machinery on open-air trailers. The cargo is typically too large or awkward to fit into a dry van trailer and transportation is longer and riskier. As a result, flatbed haulers typically earn more than dry van haulers.

4. Tanker hauler

As one of the most dangerous, in-demand, and well-paying type of trucking, tanker hauling involves transporting liquids — hazardous or non-hazardous. Drivers are required to know how to respond in case of an emergency.

5. Refrigerated hauler

Refrigerated freight must remain at a certain temperature while it is being transported. Some hauls have freezer shipping containers and drivers are required to meet certain time and distance requirements. Since the freight is temperature controlled, drivers must know how to set and check the temperature of their trailer. This skill commands higher pay for refrigerated haulers than dry haulers.

6. Less than truckload haulers 

These drivers typically operate locally, hauling small loads and loading and unloading their own shipments. These drivers earn less than long-distance drivers, but may deliver several loads in one day.

7. Local/regional haulers

Similar to LTL haulers, local and regional freight haulers take multiple loads per day and typically come home every night.

8. Hotshot haulers

Hotshot haulers drive a class 3 or 5 truck paired with a small trailer and deliver goods as quickly as possible, often taking multiple loads per day. They may deliver goods locally or regionally.

9. Auto haulers

Auto haulers are specially designed for carriers transporting cars. Their heavy weight requires great skill, and therefore pays more than semi-truck driving.