Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Onet SOC Code 53-3032.00 Career Description: Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 GVW, to transport and deliver goods, livestock, or materials in liquid, loose, or packaged form. May be required to unload truck. May require use of automated routing equipment. Requires commercial drivers' license. Related Clusters: Hospitality and Tourism Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career Summary:

• Read and interpret maps in order to determine vehicle routes.
• Couple and uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air and electrical lines, and manipulating fifth-wheel locks.
• Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
• Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes, in order to document weights and to comply with state regulations.
• Operate equipment such as truck cab computers, CB radios, and telephones to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.
• Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
• Crank trailer landing gear up and down to safely secure vehicles.
• Wrap goods using pads, packing paper, and containers, and secure loads to trailer walls, using straps.
• Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks such as adding oil, fuel, and radiator fluid, or performing minor repairs.
• Load and unload trucks, or help others with loading and unloading, operating any special loading-related equipment on vehicles and using other equipment as necessary.
• Inventory and inspect goods to be moved, in order to determine quantities and conditions.
• Remove any debris from trailers after loading is completed.
• Follow appropriate safety procedures when transporting dangerous goods.
• Check vehicles before driving them to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
• Maintain logs of working hours and of vehicle service and repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
• Obtain receipts or signatures when loads are delivered, and collect payment for services when required.
• Check all load-related documentation to ensure that it is complete and accurate.
• Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew as needed; check that vehicle position is correct and any special loading equipment is properly positioned.
• Drive trucks with capacities greater than 3 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, in order to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
• Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chain, binders, and/or covers.
• Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
• Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
• Climb ladders to inspect loads after loading is complete, in order to ensure that cargo is secure.
• Follow special procedures related to specific cargo, such as checking refrigeration systems when carrying frozen foods, or providing food and water when carrying livestock.
• Give directions to laborers who are packing goods and moving them onto trailers.
• Install and remove special equipment such as tire chains, grader blades, plow blades, and sanders.
• Collaborate with other drivers as part of a driving team on some trips.
• Perform emergency roadside repairs such as changing tires and installing light bulbs, tire chains, and spark plugs.
• Place empty carts and pallets in trailers so they will be available to facilitate placement and movement of goods.
• Operate trucks equipped with snowplows and sander attachments to maintain roads in winter weather.

• Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• A high school education is recommended but not required for this occupation. High school students who are interested in this field will find courses in mathematics, English, and driver's education helpful. Most Tennessee employers require local furniture mover drivers to be 18 years of age and interstate drivers to be 21 years of age. Interstate mover drivers have a two week formal training period. They must have a Class I driver's license. Some movers must obtain authority from the Interstate Commerce Commission.

• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Second Interest High-Point - Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

• Compensation - Workers on this job are paid well in comparison with other workers.
• Independence - Workers on this job do their work alone.
• Company Policies and Practices - Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.
• Activity - Workers on this job are busy all the time.
• Supervision, Human Relations - Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management.
• Security - Workers on this job have steady employment.
• Support-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Autonomy - Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision.
• Working Conditions-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Wage and salary data provided by:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website