Class A CDL Truck Driving Jobs
Having a Class A CDL opens a lot of doors to great careers. Most people think of truck driving jobs as one person traveling solo over the roads, delivering goods across the country. But those kinds of jobs aren’t the only options.
When you have a Class A CDL, you can get involved in many other types of employment. Here are just some alternative careers for truck drivers that a CDL can bring you.
Instructor or Driver Trainer
Once you have a Class A CDL and a few years of experience, you may want to focus on helping others get theirs. If that’s the case, we can always use more instructors at Roadmaster. Training new drivers can be one of the best alternative careers for truck drivers. It can give you a sense of purpose, a way to help other people, and a rewarding career you can enjoy for a long time.
Instructors at Roadmaster get great benefits, too. Wages are competitive, and you can get health, dental, and vision insurance. There’s also paid vacation, employee stock, and much more. Whether you choose to work with us or not, getting a Class A CDL is an excellent first step toward choosing from the many alternative careers for truck drivers. The best part about an instructor position is that you will be home every night!
Team Driver
Some people want to use their CDL for truck driving, but they may not want to spend all their time on the road alone. It can be a difficult and stressful job at times, and it’s often easier when there’s some help and companionship. That’s why team driving can also be a good alternative career for truck drivers and allow them to enjoy their work more fully.
You can drive with a family member or friend or choose to get paired up through the company you’re driving for. Many companies link up drivers who have similar interests and beliefs and want to team drive instead of traveling alone. It’s an option that’s well worth considering if you want to stay behind the wheel, but you’re not enjoying so much solitary time.
Bus Driver
Driving a bus is among the popular alternative careers for truck drivers. A bus driver will need to have a CDL, although Class A is typically not required. A career driving a bus differs greatly from driving a truck, and the interaction with passengers may be what you’re looking for. Carrying passengers to local or faraway locations can create a sense of adventure and make it easier to enjoy your work. There are also shorter route options if you want to be home more frequently.
Many companies need bus drivers, too, including schools and large, national bus lines. Smaller companies that operate tour buses and shuttles also need drivers. When you have a CDL, it’s relatively easy to get these kinds of jobs. You already have the proper license, and the company won’t feel like they need to help you get licensed or wait for you to do so before you can start driving for them.
Delivery Driver
Depending on the kinds of deliveries you make and the company you work for, you may need a CDL to be a delivery driver, too. While Class A won’t typically be required, it’s better to have more than you need, instead of not enough. Delivery driving is among the most common alternative careers for truck drivers, and it can be a great way to stay behind the wheel if that’s what you enjoy.
Local and longer routes can give you the chance to interact with others and do a job you like a lot. Most delivery drivers are home every night, and those who aren’t are home frequently. If you enjoy people, driving, and seeing the local area, a delivery driver job may be a great choice for you.
Equipment Operator
If you want to drive heavy equipment, you may need a CDL. That depends on your state, and the requirements of the company you’re working for. If you’re looking for alternative careers for truck drivers, one of the best ones for staying local is operating heavy machinery. You won’t spend long hours away from home or be gone overnight, in most cases.
When you work with heavy equipment, you can still use your CDL and driving experience for a career you like. It’s an excellent way to keep your skills sharp and to enjoy all the little things you like about driving without spending all of your time in a truck. As you look for alternative options for your CDL and deciding on the kind of career you want, this one may be worth looking at more closely.
Get Started Training for Your New Career Today
If it’s time for a new career, you can get started on something you’ll enjoy. With so many alternative careers for truck drivers, there are great options for you to explore. If driving solo across the country isn’t your thing, that doesn’t mean a CDL isn’t the right choice. You can focus on instructing others, driving buses or heavy equipment, and much more. Start your Class A CDL training with Roadmaster today!
While not all of these are driving jobs exactly, they are all related to the transportation industry somehow. You’ll see that your knowledge of trucking and the road can be applied to many different positions. Check out some of these CDL-related jobs if you’re considering getting your CDL!
CDL Related Jobs
Supervisor – The transportation industry needs supervisors just like any other industry. Supervisors are leaders that oversee the system or process of the job. A transportation supervisor might create schedules and organize deliveries and runs.
Recruiter – When there’s a job opening to be filled or an application to be reviewed, it’s usually the job of the recruiter. Trucking recruiters might visit trucking schools to talk with trainees or host booths at job fairs.
Truck Driver Training Instructor – Somebody has to do it! Without our truck driver training instructors, truckers in training would have to learn by error –which wouldn’t be very safe. Instructors coach trainees and show them how to drive a truck safely.
Mechanic – If you have a passion for trucks then you might consider working under the hood of them as a mechanic. The trucking industry is made up of thousands of trucks that all eventually need maintenance.
Courier – Say you need to get your passport in another state in a short amount of time. You could hire a courier, like a personal messenger or package deliverer, to handle the traveling and delivering for you. Or if you’re looking for a unique traveling job, you might consider being a courier.
Cement and Concrete Production – If working with machinery is what you enjoy most, cement and concrete production could be an excellent option later on. This job might require mixing concrete, pouring it into molds, using machinery to section concrete, driving cement trucks, etc.
Local/Regional Driver – After you’ve spent some time over-the-road (or, traveling across the country) you could apply for local driving positions. These jobs tend to be more competitive because of the awesome benefit of driving trucks locally and having a lot of time at home.
Terminal Manager – Terminal managers run the show in their area. They may do things like monitor performance, oversee all terminal functions, hire new employees, support the team, and keep things running smoothly.
Self-Employed Truck Driver – This type of truck driver, also called an owner-operator, is in charge of their truck and possibly their own fleet of trucks. They make deals with companies and either drive cargo or have employees drive for them.
Bus Driver – Instead of driving a semi, you could drive a bus instead. The perk to being a truck driver is that you probably won’t have to be away from home too long unless you’re transporting people across the country.
Specialty Cargo Hauler – You can specialize in the types of cargo you carry as a CDL driver. An auto transporter or furniture deliverer, for example, might be the best next step after driving over the road for a while.
Delivery Driver – Grocery stores and produce markets need drivers to deliver fruit, vegetables, and other local goods to their locations. Similarly, bakeries and local supply companies need drivers to move their products locally.
Dispatcher – A dispatcher is the person on the other side of the radio channel taking driver information and sending out information to company drivers. They are responsible for recording important info, tracking vehicles and equipment, and being the connection between drivers and the carrier.
Taxi Driver – While not exactly a trucking position, taxi driving at least allows you to drive for a living. And if you are a people person, this is a great new option! Taxi drivers are needed in every major city in the country.
Chauffer – Maybe instead of hauling cargo, you want to haul celebrities and the big shots around on their adventures. A chauffer is a personal driver for hire. However, whether that is local or far depends on the company and the needs of the customer.