Tanker truck drivers transport liquids or gases over long distances and in cities. They require a commercial driver’s license and hazardous materials training. Drivers may work for trucking companies, governments, or operate their own businesses. Safety and sanitation are emphasized, and drivers must carefully document delivery procedures. CDL training and hazardous materials training are required to become a tanker truck driver.
A tanker truck driver transports large loads of liquids or gases in cities and over long distances. Tank trucks are unique trailers that feature reinforced metal tanks, specially designed to transport delicate substances and chemicals. Drivers can take fuel tanks to gas stations, send large quantities of milk to manufacturers or remove sewage from septic tanks. To ensure the safe operation of large tank trucks, a new driver is usually required to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL). In addition, a tank truck driver transporting oil, gasoline, or industrial chemicals must undergo hazardous materials training before working alone.
A driver might work for a trucking company, a city government, or a wholesale distributor that prepares agricultural products or fuel. Some tanker truck drivers purchase their own specialist vehicles and operate their own contracting businesses. It is common for a driver delivering fuel or goods to spend many hours on the road, making multiple stops around town or driving long distances between rural destinations.
An oil or fuel tanker truck driver visits gas stations, truck stops, and industrial sites to refill reservoirs. He or she is usually responsible for connecting hoses and safely dispensing fuel. Individuals delivering food or water often make stops at commercial packaging or distribution plants, where other employees help them empty their trucks into specially designed tanks or sumps. There is a great deal of emphasis placed on safety and sanitation for oil and food tanker services, and delivery procedures often need to be carefully documented.
Drivers who work for government organizations perform public services such as removing waste from septic tanks. These professionals carefully extract the material using hoses and pumps that are usually built into tankers. Per local sanitation codes, drivers take waste to a designated treatment facility and empty their trucks. It is common for the driver to use an assistant to help navigate, maneuver and connect the pumps.
An individual who wants to become a tanker truck driver in most countries is required to obtain a CDL by attending an accredited driver’s training program and passing both written and practical driving tests. Drivers transporting radioactive or harmful substances must also receive specialized hazardous materials training, which is usually completed on the job within the first few weeks of working for a trucking company. A tanker truck driver delivering fuel is usually required to undergo additional safety training that covers proper dispensing procedures.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
