Occupation · SOC 53-3033
Light Truck Drivers
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.
Median wage
$44,140
$29,580–$79,630
Projected growth
+7.3%
Faster than average
Annual openings
7,890
per year
Employed (US)
994,410
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
97 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingTime Management
Knowledge areas
English LanguageTransportationCustomer and Personal Service
Technology & tools
Route navigation softwareInventory management softwareDesktop communications softwareIndustrial control softwareCommunications server software
Representative tasks
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.Perform emergency repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, fuses, tire chains, or spark plugs.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Traffic laws and transportation procedures — follow under direct supervisor guidance during initial delivery routes in urban and suburban areas.Vehicle mechanical problems — recognize and report to a dispatcher or fleet supervisor when observed during a pre-trip or post-trip inspection.Shipping papers and inventory loads — verify contents against documentation under direct oversight at a warehouse loading dock.Vehicle supplies and basic equipment — inspect fluid levels, tire condition, and lights using a standard checklist before each assigned shift.Road maps and verbal geographic directions — read and interpret with supervisor assistance to locate delivery destinations on a local route.Cargo and packages — load and unload under direct instruction using safe lifting techniques at a customer or warehouse site.Bills and receipts — present to customers and collect cash or signatures for delivered goods on an assigned residential delivery route.Vehicle logs and basic cargo records — complete using provided paper forms in accordance with company and regulatory requirements.Route navigation software — operate with guided training to follow turn-by-turn directions on a company-assigned light truck.Customer interactions at the point of delivery — communicate clearly and courteously using basic active listening skills in a face-to-face setting.
developing
Traffic laws and safety procedures — apply consistently and independently across varied route types including highways, residential streets, and loading zones.Mechanical issues and vehicle defects — diagnose common problems such as low tire pressure or fluid leaks and report them accurately using fleet maintenance software.Inventory loads against shipping manifests — verify and reconcile discrepancies with minimal oversight at a distribution center or customer receiving dock.Vehicle maintenance tasks — perform routine checks and minor servicing of gas, oil, brakes, and lights to keep assigned trucks in compliant working condition.Geographic directions and route maps — interpret independently to adjust delivery sequences when traffic or road conditions require changes during a shift.Cargo of varying weight and size — load, secure, and unload efficiently using proper equipment and body mechanics across multiple daily stops.Payment collection and delivery receipts — process accurately and handle basic customer billing questions on a multi-stop commercial delivery route.Vehicle logs, cargo records, and billing statements — maintain accurately across a full workday using both paper forms and digital entry tools.Route navigation and inventory management software — use routinely to track deliveries, update stop status, and manage load documentation during a standard shift.Delivery schedules and time commitments — manage independently by prioritizing stops and communicating ETAs to dispatch in a fast-paced logistics environment.
proficient
Complex traffic and transportation regulations — apply across diverse conditions including inclement weather, high-density urban zones, and time-sensitive commercial routes without oversight.Vehicle mechanical problems — identify, document, and communicate accurately to maintenance teams while making sound judgments about whether a vehicle is safe to operate.Shipping discrepancies and inventory variances — resolve independently by cross-referencing manifests, contacting dispatch, and coordinating corrections at the customer site.Full vehicle inspection and preventive maintenance routines — execute thoroughly for an assigned fleet of light trucks, ensuring continuous regulatory compliance and road safety.Multi-stop route planning — optimize using navigation software and spatial reasoning to minimize mileage and meet all delivery windows across a full-day schedule.Oversized, fragile, or high-value cargo — load, secure, and unload using specialized techniques and equipment while maintaining product integrity and safety standards.Billing disputes and payment irregularities — address professionally and resolve at the point of delivery using customer service skills and company policy knowledge.Comprehensive driver logs, cargo records, and regulatory documentation — maintain accurately over extended periods in full compliance with DOT and company requirements.Desktop communications and office suite software — use proficiently to submit reports, respond to operational messages, and maintain delivery records across a regional distribution network.Non-routine delivery challenges such as access restrictions or customer unavailability — assess and resolve independently using critical thinking and real-time communication with dispatch.
advanced
Safe driving standards and traffic compliance protocols — model and enforce across a team of drivers by conducting ride-alongs, audits, and corrective coaching on regional routes.Fleet mechanical readiness — oversee by establishing inspection schedules, coordinating with maintenance vendors, and ensuring all vehicles meet safety and regulatory standards organization-wide.Inventory verification and shipping accuracy procedures — develop and standardize across a delivery operation to reduce errors and improve accountability at scale.Vehicle maintenance training programs — design and deliver to onboard new drivers and upskill existing staff in inspection, preventive care, and defect reporting practices.Route network efficiency — lead optimization efforts by analyzing navigation software data, driver performance metrics, and fuel usage to reduce costs across a delivery fleet.Loading, securing, and cargo-handling standards — establish best practices and oversee compliance across a team to minimize damage claims and workplace injuries.Customer service and payment collection policies — set expectations, resolve escalated billing conflicts, and build lasting client relationships that support business retention goals.Driver record-keeping and regulatory compliance programs — design, audit, and update to ensure full organizational adherence to DOT and company documentation requirements.Technology adoption for route navigation, inventory management, and communications tools — lead implementation and provide hands-on training to improve operational efficiency across the driver workforce.Departmental performance goals including on-time delivery rates, safety metrics, and driver dependability — set targets, monitor outcomes, and mentor drivers to achieve continuous improvement.
Also known as
143 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Pick Up Truck DriverStorekeeper (Coast Guard SK)Route DelivererMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force 2T351)Motor Transport Operator (Army 88M)Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Helper, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force 2T311C)Grocery Light Truck DriverConstruction Electrician (Navy CE)Nuclear Weapons Apprentice (Air Force 2W231)Light Truck DriverFuels Helper (Air Force 2F011)Mission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Journeyman, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force 2T351C)Mail Messenger ContractorTactical Air Control Party (TACP) Craftsman (Air Force 1Z371)Ground Transportation Helper (Air Force 2T111)Fuels Craftsman (Air Force 2F071)Independent DriverDirectory CarrierTruck DriverDelivery Truck DriverMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance, Apprentice, Material Handling Equipment (MHE)/463L Maintenance (Air Force 2T331C)Liquid-Fertilizer ServicerTracked Vehicle Repairer (Army 91H)Special Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force 1Z431)ServicerMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Helper, Firefighting and Refueling Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance (Air Force 2T311A)Ground Transportation Craftsman (Air Force 2T171)Telephone-Directory-Distributor DriverMission Generation Vehicular Equipment Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force 2T331)Weather Superintendent (Air Force 1W091)Telephone Directory Distributor DriverService Car DriverNuclear Weapons Journeyman (Air Force 2W251)Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Crewmember (Army 14P)Food Service DriverConstruction Equipment Repairer (Army 91L)Damage Controlman (Coast Guard DC)Weather Apprentice (Air Force 1W031)Food-Service DriverSpecial Reconnaissance Helper (Air Force 1Z411)