Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers

Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers typically perform the following tasks: • Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy. • Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure. • Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order. • Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles. • Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required. • Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations. • Read bills of lading to determine assignment details. • Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles. • Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid, performing minor repairs, or washing trucks. • Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks. • Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned. • Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes. • Drive trucks with capacities greater than 13 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials. • Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes. • Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage. • Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers. • Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations. • Load or unload trucks or help others with loading or unloading, using special loading-related equipment or other equipment as necessary. • Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions. • Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs.