Many truck drivers learn many skills on the job which can easily be used in other careers. Some truck drivers choose to change careers for different reasons.

If you are a trucker and have been driving for a while and are looking for a career change, you may be wondering what jobs are out there that utilize the skills you’ve acquired as a trucker. Knowing why a truck driver would want to change his/her career and what alternatives are available can help you make a more informed career choice as a truck driver. In this article, we explain why truck drivers sometimes change careers and explore 8 alternative career options for truck drivers.

What are the Reasons for Transitioning Careers Away From Truck Driving?

Changing jobs can be very attractive for a bunch of different reasons. For instance, truck drivers are frequently on the road for a long time and they are separated from their families and communities for extended periods. undefined

• Not enough time for personal life: A few truck drivers are so dedicated to their work that they have little time left to do their side jobs. They could be looking for some of their time back, to fully engage in their hobbies, spend more time with their families or simply have time to relax.

• Inadequate pay: Some truck drivers may find that their career doesn’t remunerate them sufficiently as they have to spend much of their time travelling. Incomes differ by region, however, and seasoned drivers can expect higher pay than their rookie counterparts.

• Long hours sitting down: Sitting for a long time is not for some people at all, and there is no place to stretch or change position in a truck. For some, mobility is the key and they need to be active more often and are more comfortable in positions where they are moving around more frequently.

• Little room for advancement: Truck driver jobs are often not associated with many promotions and higher pay chances. However, drivers can turn into freight managers, fleet managers or other managerial employees, but usually, the opportunities for promotion are not very high.

• Desire to explore different industries: Some truck drivers are tired of their job and want to see what else they can do in another industry, they may want to know if there are other jobs available for them that might be a better match for them.

8 Alternative Career Paths for Truck Drivers

1. Delivery Driver

If the part of driving OTR that you hated most was the time you had to spend away from your family, then maybe you should consider becoming a delivery driver. You will drive local routes for businesses from furniture sellers to medical equipment suppliers. You’ll be paid by the hour instead of by the mile, which is the norm for OTR jobs.

2. Bus Driver

Bus drivers are professional drivers who operate city and school buses. They carry passengers to and from particular locations or operate fixed routes around a given area. Bus drivers are prone to spend their whole shift in the vehicle and sit for a long time like long-haul truck drivers. The majority of bus drivers work full-time, but some school bus drivers work part-time or whenever transportation for schools is needed.

3. Equipment Operator

Machine operators may use mechanical or electrical equipment to complete different jobs. Operators are often found in construction areas and drive vehicles such as excavators, tractors or bulldozers. Heavy equipment operation is analogous to driving a large truck and entails some degree of caution and skill, which are similar to those needed in truck driving. Operators are normally full-time outdoor workers and have advanced qualifications or certifications to operate their particular equipment.

4. Dispatcher

In this role, you will handle freight for a carrier. This entails employing load boards and personal networks to find freight, speaking to brokers, negotiating contracts, and setting up routes for drivers. In addition, you can review driver logs or track driver hours like in this role, so your experience as a driver will be beneficial.

5. Driving Instructor

Driving instructors are drivers who have considerable experience which they can share with the learners to help them understand the proper way of operating motor vehicles. Teachers prepare the course materials and conduct the driving exams and tests of students’ driving skills and knowledge of the road. Truck drivers are often good candidates for work as truck driving instructors, which involves teaching young drivers how to get behind the wheels and follow the rules of the road. Driving instructors are hired to work on a part-time or full-time basis, and they usually work indoors with occasional outdoor time for the driving test.

6. Mechanic

Through their work, they apply multiple tools and techniques to fix cars. This may include minuscule vehicles such as cars and vans, as well as big machines, for example, trucks and tractors. Most technicians are working indoors and are full or part-time. Former truck drivers can transition into becoming mechanics as this career choice allows them to work on vehicles without requiring much driving. The mechanics, in particular, often hold separate certifications in the field of vehicle repairs and at least a high school diploma.

7. Van Driver

Van operators usually work with commercial vans and perform deliveries or passenger transportation. Van drivers work in any industry and spend most of their time in the vehicle or unloading and loading passengers and supplies. The drivers of vans may choose to be truck drivers because they can still keep driving, but the size of the vehicle, payload and responsibilities are usually lighter. For van drivers, only a standard driver’s license is enough to start their job.

8. Terminal Manager

The absence of a CDL requirement for you as a terminal manager does not mean your OTR driving experience will be of no use. Your main tasks would be organizing, planning, and implementing transportation solutions for the firms in the trucking industry.

9. Forklift Operator

A forklift operator works in the manufacturing industry or a warehouse where he is responsible for forklift operation. They load and unload the heavy-duty materials from the shelves, delivery trucks and the production floor. The tasks are some of the following: tracking lot numbers, tracking inventory, ensuring inventory quality and performing basic equipment maintenance. The majority of employers will require all forklift operators to hold forklift certification which will often be provided by the employer. Forklift operators work either indoors or outdoors and they are employed full-time.

10. Crane Operator

Crane operators handle heavy construction equipment, such as cranes and lifts, to move materials and objects on a construction site. The occupation combines attention, precision and knowledge of large machines, as it is similar to the profession of a truck driver. The majority of crane operators work on a full-time basis on the construction sites, and they spend a lot of their time inside the crane and outside on the job site. A truck driver can use their experience with precision and heavy equipment to become a certified crane operator by attending the right training.