TRUCK DRIVERS, LIGHT California Occupational Guide Number 563 1997
THE JOB
LIGHT TRUCK DRIVERS drive trucks that carry less than three tons. They normally truck products and materials to and from local area places such as factories, warehouses, train stations, airports, private homes, office buildings, and stores. Their deliveries can be anything from parcels, household goods, magazines, medical supplies, and bread to oxygen tanks, meat and poultry, groceries, seeds, plumbing supplies, and auto parts.
At the start of work, Light Truck Drivers get a delivery schedule from the dispatcher. Depending on the company's procedures, either the truck is already loaded or the driver loads the truck according to the order of delivery. Once the driver gets to the customer's place of business, he or she unloads the delivery and the customer signs a receipt for the goods. Sometimes payment is made directly to the driver. At the end of their shift, the driver turns in receipts, money received, records of delivery, and reports of any mechanical problems.
Light Truck Drivers who sell company products to customers are called driver- sales workers. They are responsible for delivering their company's product and also representing the company. Their duties depend on the industry in which they work. For example, a wholesale bakery driver delivers and arranges bread, rolls, and other baked goods on display racks in grocery stores. They must pay attention to the items that are selling well and estimate the amount and sort of goods that will be sold when placing the store's order. They establish a business relationship with store managers and sometimes recommend a change in a store's order to meet customer demand.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Truck driving can be physically demanding. Truck Drivers must be able to unload and load goods, therefore, they must be able to lift and carry heavy items. They also have to drive in difficult conditions such as bad weather, heavy traffic, and sometimes on mountain roads.
Although trucks are being made with more comfortable seats and better ventilation systems, they may not have air conditioning. Physical endurance is needed for long work shifts.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The California Projections of Employment, published by the Labor Market Information Division of the Employment Development Department, estimates that the number of Truck Drivers, Light in California will reach 154,830 by the year 2005, an increase in new jobs of 41,830 over the number there was in 1993.
There will also be an estimated 26,710 job openings due to people retiring or leaving the occupation. Added to the 41,830 new jobs expected, this makes for an estimated total of 68,540 job opportunities through 2005.
(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)
The outlook for Light Truck Drivers is good. The turnover among beginning drivers is high, and turnover due to retirements and career changes goes on all the time. The need for local deliveries has grown due to the constant development of shopping centers, homes, and malls. Because of this growth, Light Truck Drivers are needed to make more deliveries from central warehouses in order to meet customer demand.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Wages can be different due to experience, where the work is, and company size. Beginning salaries go from $5.00 to $17.00 per hour. Light Truck Drivers with some experience can earn from $5.00 to $19.00 per hour. Those that are fully experienced can make from $6.00 to $22.00 per hour.
Light Truck Drivers work 48 hours a week or more, eight to ten hour days, and five or six days a week. Most Truck Drivers start work very early in the morning to make deliveries to chain grocery stores, produce markets, or bakeries.
Drivers get health and life insurance, disability, and retirement pensions. Union drivers get benefits, but they are negotiated by union representatives of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Job applicants must have a valid driver's license, a good driving record, and be able to pass a commercial driver's license test. Good hearing and eyesight and the ability to lift and carry are required to do the job. Most companies prefer high school graduates. Employers prefer applicants who are self-confident, responsible, self-motivated, and have a good appearance. Some employers require drivers to be 25 years old in order to avoid paying high insurance premiums.
Completion of a program at an accredited truck driving school can provide the training needed to job applicants. High school students can take classes in shop and auto mechanics to prepare themselves for the job. Community colleges and vocational schools also give needed training.
ADVANCEMENT
Chances for promotion for truck drivers are a bit limited, but some drivers become driver trainers, supervisors of warehouses, terminals and docks or company branch managers. Commercial drivers often change employers for better pay, different kinds of driving experience, more responsibility, or better working conditions.
Some drivers buy trucks and set up their own business or become independent contractors. To keep the chances of losing money low, the independent contractor may take a course in small business management at a community college, at a university with adult continuing education programs, or one given by the Federal Small Business Administration Agency.
FINDING THE JOB
Job seekers can start their job search by contacting local trucking companies, wholesale distribution centers, retail stores, government agencies, and EDD Job Service Offices. Jobs can be found in the newspaper classified ads under "delivery", "drivers", or "trucking". Those who have no experience have a better chance of finding a job if they have completed a program at an accredited truck driving school.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
American Trucking Association 2200 Mill Road Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 838-1700
California Trucking Association 3251 Beacon Boulevard West Sacramento, CA 95691 (916) 373-3500
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Bus Drivers No. 2 Truck Drivers, Heavy No. 255
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT(Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1) Food - Service Driver 906.683-010 Truck Driver, Light 906.683-022
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Truck Drivers, Light 971050 Driver/Sales Workers 971170
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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