There are many different types of truck driving jobs available on the road today. Some drivers may take on truck driving jobs hauling grain while others may haul livestock, automobiles, heavy equipment or furniture. For new drivers, the most common types of jobs that can be taken are flat bed, refrigerated, dry van and tanker.
Flat Bed
Flatbed loads often require more work as the items being hauled may be oversize goods or require additional securing, such as automobiles or construction equipment. While the driver is expected to be familiar and experienced with how to properly secure different types of loads and equipment, the pay is also higher.
Refrigerated
Refrigerated loads involve product that needs to be kept at a specific cold temperature. Some potential refrigerated goods may be medical items or perishable frozen foods. The hauled goods need to be regularly checked during transportation to ensure that the truck is maintaining the proper temperature. Due to the amount of vigilance and skills required, these drivers – often known as reefer drivers – typically receive higher pay.
Dry Van
Dry van loads are the most common job for brand new truck drivers. Dry van loads consist of non-perishable dry goods that don’t require much maintenance during transportation. This type of job is considered one of the easiest out of the available truck driving jobs.
Tanker
Tanker drivers deliver a liquid product which may be hazardous or non-hazardous. The liquid product delivered can be anything from chemicals to consumable beverages. Some tankers deliver bulk dry goods as well, such as cement or flour. These jobs require specialized training and offer higher pay.
In addition to the jobs listed above, there are many other truck driving jobs available. By getting some experience under your belt, you can get access to other opportunities with different types of hauls.