Truck driver

A truck driver—called a trucker, teamster, or driver in the U.S. and Canada; a truckie in Australia and New Zealand; an HGV driver in the UK, Ireland, and the EU; and a lorry driver or simply driver in the UK, Ireland, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Singapore—makes a living operating a large goods vehicle (LGV) or heavy goods vehicle (HGV), typically a semi truck, box truck, or dump truck. Global driver shortages have been reported; in 2021, Poland’s shortfall of 120,000 drivers was the largest in Europe, while no shortages were noted in Africa at that time.

These drivers perform an essential role in industrialized economies, moving finished goods and raw materials over land between ports, factories, retail outlets, and distribution centers. They inspect their vehicles for mechanical issues or safety concerns. Some, known as driver/sales workers, also handle sales, provide extra services like cleaning, preparation, or cooking, and offer customer service. Truck drivers collaborate closely with warehouse associates and workers who help load and unload shipments.

There are three main types of truck driver employment. Owner-operators (also called O/Os or “doublestuffs”) own their trucks and either lease them to a trucking company under contract or work as self-employed independent contractors hauling for multiple companies. Some lease trucks with the goal of buying them within two to five years. Company drivers are employees of a specific trucking firm and drive trucks provided by that employer. Independent owner-operators have the authority to haul goods, often driving their own trucks and possibly owning a small fleet of one to ten vehicles, sometimes as few as two or three.

Within these employment types, drivers fall into various job categories. Auto haulers transport cars on specially built trailers, requiring specific loading and operating skills. Boat haulers move boats from 10-foot bass boats to 60-foot yachts using specialized lowboy trailers that adjust for each size; boats wider than 8 feet 6 inches or 13 feet 6 inches need permits and count as oversize loads. Dry van drivers move most highway goods in large trailers, carrying perishable or nonperishable items. Dry bulk pneumatic drivers—often called Flow Boys—haul sand, salt, and cement using pressurized air to unload from specialized trailers. Flatbed drivers carry bulky items like tanks, steel pipes, or lumber and must balance loads correctly. LTL (less than truckload) drivers handle localized deliveries to multiple locations, sometimes pulling double or triple trailers. Reefer drivers move refrigerated, temperature-sensitive, or frozen goods. Local drivers work within their immediate area, possibly crossing state lines but typically returning home daily. Household goods drivers, or bedbuggers, move personal belongings for families relocating. Regional drivers cover several states near home and may be away for short periods. Interstate drivers (over-the-road or long-haul) travel thousands of miles and can be away for days, weeks, or months; for time-critical loads, companies may use team drivers to cover more miles. Oversize load drivers transport shipments exceeding standard regulations, requiring special permits. Team drivers are pairs who take turns driving the same truck in shifts—sometimes spouses—or several people in different states splitting a haul to avoid long absences. Tanker drivers (tank truck drivers, slang tanker yankers or tankies) haul liquids like gasoline, diesel, milk, and crude oil, as well as dry bulk materials such as plastics, sugar, flour, and cement in tanks; liquid tanker drivers need special skills due to shifting load balance, especially in food-grade tankers without baffles. Vocational drivers operate tow trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, or cement mixers. Drayage drivers move cargo containers (piggybacks) lifted on or off chassis at intermodal stations. Bullrack drivers haul livestock locally, regionally, or nationally using double-deck trailers.

Hours regulations vary by country. In Australia, drivers of trucks or truck/trailer combinations with a gross vehicle mass over 12 tonnes must rest 15 minutes every 5.5 hours, 30 minutes every 8 hours, and 60 minutes every 11 hours (including both driving and non-driving duties). Within any 7-day period, they must spend 24 hours away from their vehicles. Truck drivers in Australia are required to keep a logbook documenting their hours.