Here's What You Can do With a CDL

Hint: driving a semi-truck isn’t the only job you can do with a CDL license!

In 2021 there are plenty of trucking jobs to go around, and in the trucking industry if you have your commercial driver’s license (CDL) then that opens up a whole new world of lucrative opportunities.

When people hear the word “trucking” they immediately think of the semi trucks that are zooming around our nation’s highways, but in fact, there are many different types of commercial vehicles that perform other vital transportation functions other than transporting goods.

Best of all, if you have a CDL then you can explore what these other job options have to offer!

1. Local delivery

If long haul ain’t your slice of pie, you can always opt for local driving to stay closer to home. Local drivers make all sorts of deliveries for businesses, such as department stores or groceries. Trucks and vans are commonly used for this type of job.

2. Truck driving school instructor

If you’re looking for a job that doesn’t involve a steering wheel, you could become an instructor who teaches budding students the essential training to become a truck driver and earn their CDL.

3. Heavy Haul

Have you ever seen those trucks sporting the ‘oversized’ sign? Usually, they’re on the road escorting a flatbed loaded with something huge- like a mobile home. This is a perfect example of heavy hauling. When a shipment is oversized, it needs a skilled driver and equipment to get it safely to its destination. Remember that this is a specialized field that prioritizes safety, so you might need to check if you need any extra certifications.

4. Bus driver

With a CDL license you can be a bus driver- whether driving a school bus transporting children or driving a tour bus across the country. This is another position that’s in high demand.

5. Dispatcher

All because you have a CDL doesn’t mean that you have to drive. You might find working behind a desk as a dispatcher and keeping the communication open with truckers hauling important loads more your speed.