If you’re looking to become a truck driver and wondering what your options are, OTR driving is one of the three main types of trucking you can pursue, along with regional or local trucking. But what is OTR trucking and what does it entail? In this article, we’ll review the meaning of OTR trucking, requirements for pursuing the job, and the pros and cons . 

What Is OTR Trucking? 

OTR, or “over-the-road” trucking is long-haul trucking. These drivers go coast to coast, beyond the parameters of regional drivers, with an average distance of 1,200–1,400 miles per load—even sometimes surpassing 3,000 miles in a single load. OTR drivers are on the road for weeks and even months at a time transporting various types of cargo that come from overseas. OTR drivers can operate individually or as a team of two. When driving solo, an OTR driver may take 6–7 days to go from one coast to another, whereas a team of two may complete that trip in 3–4 days.¹

OTR drivers differ from regional and local drivers who are usually on the road for 1–2 weeks, or just during the workdays, respectively. Regional drivers move goods within a region or state and typically earn a lower salary than OTR drivers. Local drivers are usually solo operators and may have dedicated routes of the same cargo to the same destinations each day, and while they earn less than regional and OTR drivers, they do return home each day at the end of their route. 

What Is Required to Become an OTR Driver?

To become an OTR you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and there are three types: Class A, B, or C. 

• Class A is the most common and is needed to operate vehicles that weigh 26,001 pounds or more, including tractor-trailers, tankers, and flatbeds. 
• Class B is required to operate a vehicle that isn’t hitched and has a weight of over 26,001 pounds, which could be a tour bus, school bus, or heavy delivery truck. 
• Class C is needed to operate a vehicle with a weight of 26,001 pounds or more, or a vehicle towing another vehicle that weighs less than 10,000 pounds, such as double trailers.² 

In addition to the CDL, OTR drivers will need to demonstrate prior trucking experience as either a regional or local driver to gain familiarity with the industry. Drivers can also complete truck training programs to get additional experience. 

Additionally, OTR truckers need to have the physical and mental stamina to keep up with the demands of the job (i.e. sedentary lifestyle, demanding schedules, tough road conditions, loneliness, and different sleep routines) which can be tiring and stressful for the wrong person. 

Loneliness, disrupted sleep routines, pressure from demanding schedules and road conditions, combined with sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits.

Finally, drivers will need to learn to adhere to compliance requirements around Hours of Service (HOS) rules.³ 

What Are the Benefits of OTR Trucking?

1. OTR truck driving jobs allow you to set your own schedule and make your own decisions while traveling across the country. 
2. The pay for OTR trucking is higher than other types of truck driving. Drivers are typically paid by the mile and cover longer routes⁴. There are also a variety of pay structures that help drivers maximize their earnings or offset more of their costs, giving them the flexibility to do what makes the most financial sense for their individual needs⁵. 
3. There are typically a lot of job openings for OTR truck drivers, even when the economy isn’t performing well.² 

What Are the Cons of OTR Trucking?

1. It can be challenging to comply with all HOS requirements when traveling long distances, so you’ll need to use an electronic device to log your hours of service. Fortunately, this is an easy habit to keep up with after enough practice. 
2. The lack of physical activity and time on the road without home-cooked meals can be hard on a driver’s health, so it’s important to get regular health checks. In addition to routine DOT physicals⁶, drivers can stay healthy on the road by developing a sleep schedule, keeping nutritious snacks and vitamin supplements on hand, and building exercise into their breaks. Even a short walk or jog can help offset hours of sitting behind the wheel⁷. 
3. For drivers with a family, the time away can be stressful for both parties, but mobile technology makes it easier to stay in touch, whether you’re video chatting, playing a game online, or sharing photos from the road..² 

Partner With ACV Transportation 

Once you have your CDL and are looking for trucking jobs, partner with ACV Transportation to get access to opportunities across the country. Whether you’ve decided OTR trucking is the path for you or you prefer regional and local driving, ACV Transportation makes it easy for drivers to pick up jobs transporting vehicles to car dealers. We are connected through a network of over 3,000 carriers and post trucking routes daily. Reach out to us to learn more or get started today. 

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Sources

1. CloudTrucks. 2023. “OTR trucking – What is it and requirements.” CloudTrucks. Retrieved September 15, 2024. https://www.cloudtrucks.com/blog-post/otr-trucking 
2. Truckstop. “OTR Trucking: What it is and job requirements.” Truckstop. Retrieved September 15, 2024. https://truckstop.com/blog/over-the-road-otr-trucking-what-it-is-job-requirements/ 
3. Rapid Response. “Over the road (OTR) Trucking: What it is and job requirements.”  Rapid Response. September 15, 2024. https://www.rapidresponsestl.com/otr-trucking-what-it-is-job-requirements/ 
4. DriveCo CDL Learning Center. 13 August 2021. “OTR vs Regional vs Local Truck Driving.” DriveCo. Retrieved September 30, 2024. https://www.driveco.org/blog/otr-vs-regional-vs-local-truck-driving/ 
5. Dwyer, S. 12 January 2024/ “Types of Truck Driver Pay [7 Pay Structures Explained].” ATS. Retrieved September 30, 2024. https://blog.drive4ats.com/truck-drivers-pay-structure 
6. Advanced Career Institute. 17 April 2019. “Trucker’s Guide to DOT Physical Exam.” Advanced Career Institute. Retrieved September 30, 2024. https://advanced.edu/blog/dot-physical-exam/ 
7. CloudTrucks. 27 February 2023. “How to Stay Healthy as a Truck Driver: 10 Tips.” CloudTrucks. Retrieved September 30, 2024. https://www.cloudtrucks.com/blog-post/how-to-avoid-getting-sick-on-the-road