Light Truck Drivers

What the job really is

Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle.

At a glance

• Sector: Transportation & Material Moving
• O*NET-SOC code: 53-3033
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.
• Report any mechanical problems encountered with vehicles.
• Verify the contents of inventory loads against shipping papers.
• Inspect and maintain vehicle supplies and equipment, such as gas, oil, water, tires, lights, or brakes, to ensure that vehicles are in proper working condition.
• Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.
• Load and unload trucks, vans, or automobiles.
• Present bills and receipts and collect payments for goods delivered or loaded.
• Maintain records, such as vehicle logs, records of cargo, or billing statements, in accordance with regulations.
• Drive vehicles with capacities under three tons to transport materials to and from specified destinations, such as railroad stations, plants, residences, offices, or within industrial yards.
• Turn in receipts and money received from deliveries.
• Use and maintain the tools or equipment found on commercial vehicles, such as weighing or measuring devices.
• Report delays, accidents, or other traffic and transportation situations to bases or other vehicles, using telephones or mobile two-way radios.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows, Automatic routing software, Computerized inventory tracking software, Eko, Electronic clipboards, Forklifts, FreightDATA, Global positioning system GPS receivers, IBM Domino

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
• Driver/Sales Workers
• Couriers and Messengers
• Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
• Taxi Drivers
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
• Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Light Truck Drivers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.