How to Land a Job as a Car Transport Driver

You see these big rigs all the time, carrying half a dozen or so shiny new cars, trucks or SUVs to a showroom or car lot. Nearly 20 million new vehicles are sold every year. Most of these vehicles are manufactured in one of 71 assembly plants situated throughout North America. The rest are imported from Europe or Asia. 

 

No matter where they come from, they must be transported to over 14,000 new-car dealerships across the US by transport truck drivers. These drivers carry a precious load--up to a half million dollars in vehicles. Jobs like these don’t go to just any dump truck driver.  Transport drivers are well trained and well paid.  Here’s what you’ll need to land one of these jobs:

 

Get a CDL. You can’t get a job as a car transport driver without a (Commercial Driver’s License).  This license is the first step toward qualifying you to become a certified truck driver. You can’t haul several cars at one time without one. 

Get an MC Number & USDOT Authorization. According to National Auto Transport, you’ll need a Motor Carrier (MC) number and a US Department of Transportation (USDOT) authorization as a carrier. You’ll also need to show proof of auto insurance and general liability coverage.

Get Trained. To haul several new, expensive vehicles as a car transport driver, the shipping company will insist you be properly trained to load and secure each vehicle on your truck. You’ll typically be hauling 6 to 10 vehicles and each one must be tied down,  secured and protected from flying road debris, dust and inclement weather. 

Get in Touch. Contact car transport companies. National Transport LLC  and A-1 Auto Transport, Inc.  offer opportunities in car transport.

Get the Facts. When looking for a vehicle transport job, make sure the company is legit before paying a fee for securing the job or for driver training. 

To give you an example of what car transport jobs are like, one company pays its drivers based on hub odometer miles. You get paid for every mile your truck travels--when you drive, when your partner drives, when the truck is fully loaded, partially loaded and when empty. Plus guaranteed home time. Drivers average 6,000 + miles per full work week for a team and roughly 3,500 miles a week for a solo driver. They pay weekly, one day off per 7 days out, after 12-14 days under dispatch. You may choose to stay out longer based on the needs of desires of your partner and Fleet Manager.

If you can’t afford college (or don’t relish being stuck in a cubicle) and want to start earning some serious coin, you might consider becoming a vehicle transport truck driver.