Driving Job Titles

Current trends impacting driving jobs

The transportation industry has undergone significant technological enhancements with the boom in e-commerce and door delivery options, including retail and online taxicab booking applications that require quick movement of goods and passengers. So, new driving jobs are around the corner, and the demand for truck, passenger drivers and delivery truck drivers in the United States will surge in the coming years.

While automated vehicles from manufacturers like Tesla or Volvo are coming at some point, drivers are still needed today and in the immediate future. Considering the rise of electric vehicles, navigation and taxi booking apps, Electronic Logging Devices and sustainable logistics, a skillful driver has many options for employment. The trucking industry, for one, will hire 110,000 drivers each year for the next 10 years and more opportunities will emerge for heavy truck, taxi and bus drivers.

Top Six Skills Needed for Driving Jobs

The transportation of people or merchandise from one location to another requires driving knowledge and good social skills to communicate with employers, logistics personnel, passengers and customers. Operating the designated vehicle safely on the road and resolving mechanical issues are crucial skills. Also, drivers are responsible for the safety of goods and passengers. Thus, drivers’ expectations go beyond their competent hard skills and need to encompass soft skills.

Here are some essential skills for the role of a driver:

• Interpersonal skills

  A driving job means you’re always on the road, but that doesn’t mean you work alone. In the case of bus and taxi drivers, they interact with passengers, so they must know how to deal with unruly people, lost individuals, those who need assistance getting on and off the vehicle and any other circumstance that may come up. To avoid disagreement and potentially dangerous situations, they must demonstrate good interpersonal skills. Suppose the role doesn’t require the driver to work directly with passengers. In that case, drivers must work closely with the logistics team to ensure goods packing, weight and count are accurate and must communicate with supervisors and customers to ensure arrival or any setbacks in delivery such as traffic or accidents on the road).

• Patience

  Drivers must remain calm in the face of technical problems, accidents, heavy traffic and difficult passengers or customers. They must avoid risky driving and treat clients, coworkers and passengers with patience, friendliness and great service. If there are any accidents or damages to the truck or products, they must file a claim or report the incident.

• Safety-conscious

  Being attentive and following rules such as obeying the speed limits is an essential skill for any driver. Staying attentive helps the driver identify threats and potential collisions while following traffic rules prevents getting into dangerous situations. In the case of drivers carrying goods, they must also take measures to keep the cargo safe.

• Navigation skills

  A solid sense of direction is required to be a professional driver, as well as the ability to rapidly learn how to navigate the area you’ve been assigned. If their job requires them to pick up and drop off passengers or goods outside of a regular route, they must take advantage of apps like Google Maps and Routefinder Pro to route the optimal trip for distance and fuel usage.

• Independence

  Driving jobs require people who work independently. Whether there are passengers in the vehicle or not, the driver is responsible for all aspects of the trip. You must plan the route, pick up and drop off passengers and cargo and fix the vehicle if it breaks down.

• Good problem-solving

  While driving, you may face various obstacles, including technical difficulties with your mapping system, flat tires, roadblocks and more. You should be able to deal with any unexpected occurrence or scenario to the best of your ability. Problem-solving skills and critical thinking give you the capacity to overcome most problems and establish a track record of consistently sticking to the schedule.

Educational requirements for driving jobs

While most roles require a high school diploma or GED, some employers are willing to overlook this educational requirement if you have the necessary license, skills and credentials.

An essential requirement for most drivers is a license. A state-issued driver’s license is enough for taxi and some delivery drivers, but a CDL license is necessary to drive bigger transportation vehicles. To get this license, you must be over 18 years of age or over 21 if you want to move interstate. You must also pass three tests: a practical driving test, a theoretical test and a physical DOT exam. Getting licensed starts by checking out the requirements from your local DMV because they are different in each state. It’s also important to note that you can only get a license from one state, so make sure you undergo licensing in the state you plan to work in and must file the proper paperwork to change states.

The next step is to identify what class of license you need for the job you want

A Class A license is for heavy truck driving jobs, Class B is for medium-weight trucks and Class C is for smaller vehicles, such as a delivery truck. There are also various endorsements you need. Endorsements are areas of specialization, so it’s essential to select those that correspond to the role you’re hoping to get. For example, a bus driver must obtain a Passenger endorsement, while a HAZMAT endorsement is for tanker trucks. Check out our articles on different job titles in the driving industry for more details on what licensing requirements you need for the specific job you want and check with your local DMV for the specifics of your state.

To become a better driver, member associations provide specific certifications like Commercial Vehicles Training Association (CVTA), American Trucking Association and National Taxi Workers’ Alliance (NTWA) to fine-tune your skills with high-quality driving training. These driving courses are offered by numerous community colleges and driving schools spread across the United States.

Since safety is a top concern in the transportation industry, the National Safety Council prepares drivers in defensive driving techniques that’ll help them keep their passengers, goods and themselves safe on the road.