Are you looking to obtain your CDL license? You may wonder – what are the different types of routes or jobs that I can get with a CDL license? At American Truck Training, we want to answer any questions you may have about before, during, and after your training. Below, we go in-depth about the different avenues of driving jobs a CDL truck driver can go through in their career. There are 3 common types of truck driving jobs available; Local, Regional and Over the Road (OTR).
Get Started
Local Truck Driving Jobs
As a local driver, you are making multiple routes a day to different locations and usually stay within a 250-mile radius roughly. Distances for routes are much shorter than OTR routes, and you’re home every night.
Pros
You normally start your day in the morning and you are at home each night in your own bed. You have consistent routes and typically spend fewer hours behind the wheel at a time.
Cons
You typically earn less pay for local truck driving jobs than other jobs available. For some companies, you will be required to load and unload your own freight throughout the day making your job physically demanding. You may also be required to work long days starting early in the morning and not getting home until later in the evening.
Regional Truck Driving Jobs
Regional Drivers make it home weekly and stay out a few days at a time. These types of drivers are usually pulling for carriers that have dedicated routes for their clients. It is very common to be driving within specified areas as a Regional Driver.
Pros
A major pro of being a regional truck driver is that you live within your region. So, that allows you to get more time with your family at home. Regional drivers typically like that they have the freedom to be gone 3 to 5 days per week, but are still close to home. It is very common to get “No Touch Freight” in this position. This means that your job is to deliver the trailer and pick up a new trailer, also called “Drop and Hook”. Salary is also typically higher than local driver positions.
Cons
One of the few cons can be you are required a quick turnaround and timelines on your loads being delivered. Your salary may be dependent on the loads you are carrying. And, we always recommend that you have in-depth conversations with a company’s recruiting department to make sure the job is a fit for you.
Over The Road (OTR)
Over the Road, also known as OTR is a truck driver that drives long distances across the country. It is common for OTR truckers to spend a week or more on the road and home for only a few days a month.
Pros
Pros are that you get to see many parts of the country and pay is typically higher than other avenues. Learn more about average salaries for truck drivers in Oklahoma from Indeed and other sites to get a feel for where you want to be. You will get paid time off because you are required 34 hours of rest for every 70 hours you’ve worked. Usually, this position is no-touch freight. You are not allowed to exceed 11 hours per day.
Cons
Cons is the home time although there are tons of drivers that prefer to keep rolling and making these higher wages if they are going to be a truck driver. You will work long hours and it can be difficult for your body not to get up and move around because of the long periods of sitting.
Trucking is a vital piece to the American economy and consumer needs. These are only a few avenues a truck driver can go in their career. If you are interested in learning more, American Truck Training can always help answer any questions. Call any of our reps and they will be happy to discuss with you (405) 254-5556.