Not surprisingly the driving/operator occupations provide a variety of career and employment opportunities for men and women so inclined. To get a perspective on these occupations read below the definitions, descriptions, facts, and license classifications applicable to them.

• DRIVER/OPERATOR OCCUPATIONS
• DRIVING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS
• WAGES AND REVENUE
• WORKING CONDITIONS
• FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS

The definitions listed below briefly explain common occupational terms to  the reader.

• Truck Driver:
  A truck driver transports manufactured goods and other materials by truck or tractor-trailer combination vehicles via public highways, over short or long haul distances, often across provincial and state boundaries . Most truck drivers are employed by a trucking company and drive that company’s vehicles.
  
• Log Haul Driver:
  A log haul driver transports or hauls logged or harvested timber via forest access roads, municipal roads, public highways, and private roads. Log haul drivers normally drive on unpaved, winding, narrow, and steeply graded logging roads and back roads under all weather conditions and for long hours.  Log haul drivers are employed by mill owners, logging contractors, and hauling firms. Many are mobile independent owner-operators who contract jobs throughout the province.
  
• Pick-up and Delivery Driver:
  The pick up and delivery driver covers shorter driving distances within a select municipality and/or adjoining towns. Originating every day from a home terminal the work is characterized by pick-ups and deliveries. The frequency of stops is dictated by the goods been transported. This can include moving and storage jobs, store to store and/or store to customer deliveries, and courier services.
  
• Owner/Operator:
  Owner-operators normally contract out their tractor unit to carrier companies while using that carrier companies trailer unit. Owner-operators must be business-minded managers and be prepared to work away from home for extended periods of time.
  
• Shunt Driver:
  The shunt driver mostly drive trailer units between one or more carrier company loading bays, waterfront docks, and other docking stops.

Driving duties and job responsibilities between employers vary and are dictated by company policy and vehicle limitations. Some common driving duties and responsibilities are listed below.

• Departures and Arrivals:
  To ensure on-time departures and arrivals it is important to work out time and planned route schedules prior to beginning work.
  
• Vehicle Inspections:
  Before, during, and after a trip it is important to inspect a vehicle for mechanical problems. Record completed minor maintenance and repairs while en route, including the refueling the vehicle.
  
• Loading and Unloading:
  Depending on employment and contract conditions drivers may load and unload goods and materials.
  
• On The Road Again:
  Again depending on employment and contract conditions drivers may have to spend extensive periods away from home during long haul trips.
  
• Log Books and Other Documentation's:
  An important and legal requirement of driving is keep accurate operating records in addition to completing necessary weigh scale, customs, and export documents.
  
• Communications and Referrals:
  Drivers often have to respond to every day complaints, concerns, needs and referrals from customers, factory representatives, and management.

• Entry Level:
  Entry level qualifications for the driver/operator occupations in British Columbia require that an individual be 18 years old for city delivery services and 19 years old for long-haul highway jobs.
  
• Legislation -- Acts, Regulations, Policy, and Procedures:
  Drivers must be acquainted with highway traffic legislation, export procedures, and any other regulations or policies pertaining to safe vehicle operation and freight shipment across provincial and state boundaries.
  
• Personal Attributes:
  Drivers should be neat in appearance and be prepared to cooperate with shippers and receivers as well as their employer and fellow workers and have good road manners.
  
• Maintenance and Repairs:
  To reduce vehicle down-time drivers should learn to maintain their vehicle by identifying and making minor mechanical repairs while on the road.
  
• Safety:
  Finally a driver should take a survival first aid training course, and drive defensively.

• City and Local Pickup and Delivery:
  City/local pickup and delivery drivers earn between $24,000 to $44,000 annually.
  
• Long Haul Drivers:
  Long haul drivers can earn between $35,000 to $75,000 annually.
  
• Log Haul Drivers:
  Log haul drivers can earn between $45,000 to $85,000 annually.
  
• Equipment Operators:
  Equipment Operators can earn between $35,000 to $85,000 annually.
  
• Owner-Operator:
  Owner-operators can gross $100,000 to $200,000 annually.

• Physical Work:
  With the exception of loading and unloading, truck drivers are seated as they work. 
  
• Driving Environment:
  Truck drivers work year round, in all types of weather and traffic pressures to meet deadlines.
  
• Hours of Work:
  A sixty hour work week not including overtime is what is expected of many truck drivers. In Canada and the USA, maximum driving hours are regulated to 10 hours and 13 hours respectively, before resting.
  
• Driving Teams:
  Most Truck drivers work alone; however, husband/wife and partner teams are not uncommon.

• Career Advancement and Specialty Jobs:
  Some career advancement and special job occupations that a Driver and/or Operator can look forward to are:
  • Instructor/trainer
  • Driver examiner
  • Owner-Operator
  • Government -- Weigh Scales, Enforcement, Engineering, Administration, Management.