CDL Truck Driver Job Description: Duties, Pay & Requirements

CDL truck drivers move freight between warehouses, stores, ports and customers in tractor-trailers or heavy straight trucks. The job is equal parts safe driving, time management against delivery windows, and paperwork: logs, inspections and proof of delivery.

Duties vary by employer and shift, so always check the individual posting. Typical responsibilities:

• Drive long-haul (OTR), regional or local routes within DOT hours-of-service limits
• Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections and report defects
• Plan routes around weather, traffic, weigh stations and delivery appointments
• Secure loads correctly (straps, chains, seals) and verify weight distribution
• Keep electronic logging device (ELD) records accurate
• Load/unload or supervise dock work depending on the role; operate lift gates and pallet jacks
• Communicate with dispatch about delays and schedule changes
• Deliver paperwork: bills of lading, proof of delivery, fuel receipts

• Valid Class A CDL (Class B for some straight-truck roles); endorsements (Hazmat, Tanker, Doubles) widen your options
• Typically 21 or older for interstate driving; DOT physical and drug screening
• Clean motor vehicle record; many carriers check 3 years of history
• Professional truck driving school is the usual route in (programs commonly run 3 to 6 months, per BLS), followed by several weeks of carrier training

• Safe-driving discipline over long hours
• Trip planning and on-time delivery under hours-of-service limits
• Load securement and weight rules
• ELD, GPS and basic maintenance checks
• Clear communication with dispatch and customers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $58,640 a year, $28.19 an hour (May 2025), for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, with 4% growth projected for 2025 to 2035 and about 214,500 openings a year. OTR, tanker, hazmat and team driving commonly pay above the median; local daytime routes often pay less but offer daily home time.

Adjust every number to your own record before you use these:

• Drove 110,000+ accident-free miles a year across 48 states with 98% on-time delivery
• Passed every DOT roadside inspection for 4 years (zero out-of-service violations)
• Maintained ELD compliance with zero hours-of-service violations across 30-month tenure
• Trained 3 new drivers on pre-trip inspection and load securement

Browse live driving and logistics jobs on Ethic Leaf's Transportation & Logistics sector page and jobs-by-city pages. No service guarantees a job.

• How long does it take to become a CDL driver? CDL school typically runs 3 to 6 months (BLS), then most carriers add several weeks of paid training with a mentor before solo routes.
• Is truck driving worth it for home time? Local and dedicated routes get you home daily or weekly; OTR pays more per year but keeps you out for weeks - the posting's 'home time' line matters as much as the pay line.
• What disqualifies you from CDL jobs? Recent DUIs, serious moving violations and failed drug tests are the common blockers; carriers check motor vehicle records and the FMCSA Clearinghouse.